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When we pulled up to the Mexican restaurant, my stomach was doing cartwheels. But all I had to do was get through one simple lunch to get to my better life on the other side.
Shit.
The neon sign in the window saidclosed. They’d never been closed before.
He stopped the engine. “He’s waiting inside.”
I shook my head. “Don’t tell me you’re in on this too.”
A smirk crossed his face. “It’s my job to keep abreast of your itinerary.”
After clambering down from the SUV, I slammed the door. Everybody was conspiring against me today.
Approaching the door, I caught the handwritten sign.
Private Party today
Reopening at 2:30
I checked the time: 12:30. I had to endure this for two hours.
* * *
Josh
My phone buzzedwith a text message.
WINSTON: Here
I cleared the message.
Nicole knocked on the glass door, and Maria, the owner, looked at me.
I nodded, and she went to open it.
Nicole slipped inside. “Thank you.” She looked stunning, backlit by the sunshine outside.
Maria indicated my table at the back. “He’s waiting.”
She walked up in dusty jeans, with a cute wood chip caught in her hair.
I rose as she approached and plucked a piece of wood from her shoulder.
She didn’t pull away. “Sorry. I was working in the orchard when I got the call.”
“You always look beautiful.”
She sighed and tried unsuccessfully to turn the grin that appeared on her face into a grimace.
“Thank you for coming,” I said.
Not expecting a hug or kiss to get a good reception, I settled for pulling out a chair for her.
“I didn’t have much choice.” The words came out hard and biting.
I took my seat. “Thank you all the same.”
She nodded toward the third place-setting at the table. “Is someone else joining us?”
