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Chapter 3
Aubrey
Dalton?
I clench my teeth as recognition sets in. This is Dalton? This is the same man who reached out to me via social media to ask me to stall Lauren’s wedding? The guy who tried to hold off the security guards so Caleb could get her away?
He’s taller up close, looking like way sexier than any man has a right to be. The sunlight glints off his short black hair, and a faint breeze blows through to ruffle it a bit, showing how thick it is. Piercing green eyes bore into me from a tanned, handsome face, but I refuse to be swayed by the masculine perfection of Caleb’s friend when he’s looking so smug.
“You what?” I snap. Arguing with him is the last thing I need to do right now, but I am too peeved to let this go.
The realization that he’s staying here worsens my attitude even more. For a visit or to get a room, I don’t know. I hope it’s the former—for an extremely short visit. Knowing he’s Caleb’s friend, though, I worry I will have to see him here again. And if I do, I won’t let him think I’m some pushover he can be a prick to. I’ve had enough with men trying to screw me over and rearrange my life.
“Stop being dramatic. I didn’t almost kill you.”
“You almost ran me off the road!”
He stalks even closer, jabbing his finger in my face. “Well, what you give is what you get.”
I slap his hand away. “You cut me off!”
“So did you!”
Leaning back and propping my hand on my hip, I try and fail to reach the calmness I learned to cultivate as a teacher. That hold-up effort to simmer down and retake control of the situation. I can achieve it when dealing with eight-year-olds, but this adult? I fail. “You cut me off first.”
“Okay, okay.” Caleb pulls Dalton’s arm, urging him to leave me alone.
Still, the jerk stares at me. Something heavy waits in his gaze, but I refuse to get curious about what he sees. What I’m showing him is how mad I am, how irked I am. And that’s the only version of me he’s welcome to.
“Let’s head inside, man.” Caleb succeeds in turning Dalton around, walking him up the porch steps and heading into the B&B.
My shoulders lower as the threat leaves, but I can’t let it go.
“Why do all men have to be such jerks?” I wonder aloud.
Lauren rushes off the porch steps, arms open and mouth cracked in a wide grin. “I’m so happy you made it!”
I can’t help but grin. After witnessing her tears and anxiety about her wedding and her parents’ control, seeing my friend so free and gleeful erases the remnants of my argument with Caleb.
“Barely. He seriously almost ran me off the road,” I say, determined to have the last word somehow. Just because he’s out of sight doesn’t mean it’s over.
Grabbing her up in a big hug, we giggle and cling to each other. Despite realizing Caleb’s friend is a jerk, I am happy to be here. I’m glad to see Lauren again and to finally have a chance to get out of my car.
“Long drive?” she asks as she holds me at arm’s length.
Yeah, but especially the last road up here. I sigh and nod. “Very long.”
“Then let’s get you inside where you can, uh, freshen up.”
When she winces at my muddy jeans, I glower at the house. “Yes. Let’s.”
She smiles and leads me toward the house. “I’ll help you get your bags in a minute. But how exactly did that happen?” She points at my jeans.
“Your other guest.”
Cringing slightly, she looks like she’s both snarling and holding back a smile at the same time. When we reach the porch, though, she brightens. “Aubrey, this is Marian, also known as my fairy godmother.”
“Hmm.” I shake her hand. “Maybe you can wave a wand over the jerk and make him behave.”
