AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lucky is blunter. “Why not? I can totally see you guys together.”
“Well…” So far, the only person I’ve mentioned my job applications to is Gigi. “Among other things, I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to stay in Welkins Ridge,” I admit. “I’ve started applying for other jobs.”
This neatly takes the focus off my whatever-it-is with Jeremy.
Joyce’s expression collapses into concern and maybe a little bit of hurt. “Seriously?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner,” I tell her. “I just feel like I need to keep my options open.”
“But after all the work you’ve put into the library?” Joyce persists.
“I just can’t get anywhere,” I tell her. “Walden and the council thwart me at every turn. I can at least understand why they’d consider giving the Addison to the fire department, but the fact that Scarlett is even in the running—” I sigh. “I don’t want to leave, but they’re just not paying me enough to put up with this nonsense.”
Even aside from our tussle over the Addison, I shouldn’t let myself get attached to the Chief. More and more, it’s looking like I’ll leave Welkins Ridge sooner or later. Probably sooner.
Meanwhile, Jeremy just got here, and it’s not like he’s knows me well enough to follow me to New Orleans or central Illinois or wherever I end up.
“Have you gotten any offers?” Joyce asks.
“Not yet, but I’ve had a few video interviews.” Silence greets this pronouncement. “Anyway, that’s why I don’t want to get too attached to the Chief.”
Joyce blows out a long, sad breath. “Oh, crap,” she finally says. “I don’t want you to leave. But I get it. You deserve better.”
My glow has now officially worn off. Thanks, Scarlett.
I brush off her concern. “It’ll work out, one way or another. Enough about me. What have you two been up to?”
I succeed in turning the conversation away from me. Bailey joins us a few minutes later, I eat a light if not terribly healthy, dinner at the Cantina, and get home as the sun is setting over the trees. I check the back patio, my heart rate picking up when I see the Chief sitting out there. He’s reading Warrior Cats in the dimming light, Jackie curled up near his feet.
I feel oddly shy all of a sudden. What if this is the part where he changes his mind and tells me it was fun, but let’s not make more of it than we should? That’s usually my line. In fact, I’m almost tempted to use it now, not because I really want it to stop whatever’s going on between us, but because I feel like I’m out of my depth, in danger of being swept away by something I can’t control.
Jeremy looks up as I step outside, and a smile widens over his face. He gestures toward one of the chairs on his patio. “There’s my girl. How’re things?”
My girl. The words send a sweet thrill mixed with a thread of anxiety through my chest. I guess this is not the part where he changes his mind and lets me down easy.
I cross the narrow strip of grass between our patios and take a seat.
“Good. I met up with Joyce and Lucky to organize Bailey’s bachelorette party.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me I have to compete with male strippers now?”
“Nah, we’re keeping it classy.” I give him a frank and appreciative perusal. “Anyway, you have nothing to worry about.”
He gives me an equally appreciative look in return and that sweet thrill from earlier thrums lower in my belly.
He leans forward. “I have a crazy proposition for you.”
The thrum gets stronger. “What’s that?”
“Next weekend, you and me…”
That thrum gets stronger. What does he have in mind? Something daring? Something kinky? Or maybe just something normal, like a date. I hold my breath.
He smiles. “Let’s go hiking.”
22
JEREMY
