Page 97 of Falling for the Playboy Pilot

“Because he’s like a brother and that would be really gross. But I’m not the one to give advice about doorknobs. Hello, Wild Bill. And now I’ve got the Pickle situation.”

“That’s different,” I said.

“How?”

“Because you were in a long-term relationship with Wild Bill and Pickle is a good guy.”

“So is Dalton.”

I snorted. “Yeah, that remains to be seen.”

“Take my car. Stalk the man. I will totally back up the stalking in this situation.”

“I can’t.”

“The hell you can’t.”

“I don’t want to stoop to his level,” I said.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not telling you to go in there and act crazy. You have to keep the crazy on the down low for now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t scope out the competition.”

“It’s not competition because I don’t care.”

“You are a terrible liar.”

I frowned because it was all true. “And then what? I see him with another woman. What do I do?”

“You confirm what you suspect,” she said. “Or you disprove it.”

“Does he have a sister in town?” I asked hopefully.

She grimaced and shook her head. “No.”

“Mom?”

“No.”

“Shit. Fucking asshole.”

“Could be a friend,” she suggested.

“If you believed that you wouldn’t be encouraging me to stalk him.”

“I’m saying you need to see it with your own eyes or you’re going to torture yourself with maybe it wasn’t what I thought it was nonsense. See it. Believe it. Move on. That’s all you can do.”

I hated that she was right. “Fine. Thank you for letting me borrow your car. I’ll fill it up.”

“Good luck. I’ve got bail money but not enough to cover a murder charge. And I don’t know you well enough to help you hide a body.”

“I’m perfectly capable of digging a hole,” I said and took the offered keys.

I drove into town and couldn’t help but notice Dalton’s truck was not in the parking lot when I left. There was a feeling of dread and irritation in my gut. Cheryl was right and I knew I had to see it with my own two eyes or I was going to keep holding out hope. I would torture myself with the many possible excuses he could offer up.

And worse, I would be prone to believe his bullshit because I wanted him. I couldn’t let myself get lied to.

I spotted his truck parked out front of Martha’s. The feeling in my gut intensified. My hands were shaking. I pulled the car to a stop and shut off the engine. I was pretty sure I wasn’t obvious. He wouldn’t be looking for me. I felt adrenaline flood my system. I’d never spied on anyone before.

I spotted Dalton strolling down the sidewalk carrying flowers and a brown paper bag. The jealousy that coursed through me was almost enough to unlock the crazy I was barely keeping under control. He walked in, and through the windows, I could see him moving through the diner.