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“Get out.”
“I was just looking—”
“Shut the door,” I order.
With a sigh, he does. But then from behind the closed door, he calls out, “Just an FYI, there’s no lock on it.”
“Of course not!” I retort. Because that’s just the way my life is now. I growl and grab the chair positioned in the corner. After dragging it over, I shove it toward the door and test that it’s secure against the knob. “There.”
His chuckle lifts through the air and I seethe. My cheeks warm and I glance in the mirror, seeing the blush spread faster. He’s already getting to me. All I wanted was some peace, and now this guy is butting in and getting in the way of anything resembling serenity.
As soon as I’m finished unpacking, Lauren returns in a hurry. I heard Dalton’s door open and close earlier, and I’m glad he’s not next door. Knowing he’s farther away helps, and I wonder how long I’ll have to play this weird game of avoiding him.
“We’re all going into town for dinner,” she announces.
“All?” I jerk my thumb in the direction of Dalton’s room, and she nods.
I exhale a long breath and shrug. “I could eat.” I refuse to let him ruin my entire time here. At the hopeful look of excitement on Lauren’s face before she takes off, I feel crummy to be so antagonistic. She doesn’t deserve the residue of my sourness.
It looks like I can’t escape him, so I’ll have to tough it out.
I put on a cute, summery dress and spend a little extra time perfecting my makeup. I prefer to go light with cosmetics, but tonight, I go bold with more color to make my blue eyes really pop against my long black hair. I look flirty, and when I realize it, I grimace at my reflection.
“I’m so not getting dressed up for him,” I whisper before I leave my room.
He is on my mind. It’s impossible to forget about him after the way he treated me thus far. But that’s no reason to try to attract him.
It’s just because I’m mad at him. He’s only on my mind because he’s a jerk. He’s nothing but a rich jerk with a chip on his shoulder.
Just when I almost convince myself I’m not putting extra effort into my outfit because of him, I get a look at the tall man at Caleb’s truck.
Yeah, a rich jerk who’s nice to look at, at least.
I sigh, wishing I could turn off the instant way I notice him so much. I try my best to ignore him, and I don’t turn and acknowledge him with a single glance as I climb into the back of Caleb’s truck. Lauren’s already seated in the front, chattering away, but once we’re all inside, I struggle to hear and pay attention to a single word she says.
Dalton has to sit right next to me back here. Although the cab is roomy, he’s larger than life. I can’t ignore his cologne, the warmth from his body. He’s just there, but I stare ahead, paying attention only to my friend.
Because if I lose my cool and react to the way his hard thigh brushes against mine when he adjusts his seatbelt, I’m not sure how I’ll survive.
Yeah, I’m fine.
Not.
Chapter 4
Aubrey
I am painfully aware of Dalton sitting next to me the whole drive into town. It’s impossible to pretend he isn’t there, but that doesn’t mean I have to talk to him. I don’t. I focus on what Lauren says and look at the things she points out on the drive down Meadow Lane. It’s a much more relaxing trip than the one I made going up it.
Avoiding Dalton is much easier at the restaurant. I’m not spared, seated next to him, but conversation quickly flows, and I prefer to focus on that than the way I can’t stop wanting to glance at this jerk. I’m distracted with ordering then talking, and it holds my attention.
Soon after we place our orders, Caleb and Lauren launch into a discussion about their plans in Colorado. I knew they liked the B&B, but I hadn’t realized just how much until now.
“You’re going to take over the bed-and-breakfast?” Dalton asks.
“Yes,” Caleb replies. “It seems impulsive, but it’s our future. I haven’t explained much so far, but I’m going to relocate and spend the majority of my time here with Lauren and Marian instead of living in New York.” He gazes at my friend even though he’s talking to his, and his adoration is so evident I almost swoon. Anyone can see how smitten he is.
“I still have a lot to do in the city, but I’ve learned that with the right equipment, going remote isn’t so bad.”
