Page 42 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

Before the choking incident at lunch earlier this week, she’d never come in to eat.

“Didn’t know I had to inform you when I needed food.” Her gaze lowers to her plate sliding against the buffet table.

Guess she’s a little moody after placing second last night.

“Oh, still snarky even after I saved your life? Alright, cool. I’d stay away from any meat, then. I don’t help people who have a vendetta against me for no reason.”

“I doubt you’re the only person in here who knows how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.” She grabs three pieces of sausage links to prove her stubbornness.

“Choke and find out.”

Her head whips up and her stare is murderous.Good.

Getting a rise out of her is my new hobby. Now that we’re in a mutual dislike for each other, might as well push her buttons as much as she’s pushed mine over the years.

Arching a brow, I challenge her to say something about my choking comment.

Before she can, the person behind me clears their throat, and I realize we’re holding up the line. With the fair, the retreat is maxed out on guests.

Ellie gets the hint and moves along, keeping silent as we load our plates. Besides the meat on hers, the rest is filled with fruit. My gaze follows as she walks to a table with Waylon and Wilder.

Son of a bitch.

It’s weird enough that she’s eating here, but even more so that she’s sitting with them.

But I’m not letting her ruin my day, especially after I had a great date with Cecilia. We laughed most of the evening and had a great time. We’re planning to meet up at the fair again tonight for a couple hours and then we’ll go to the Twisted Bull for drinks.

I walk over to their table and sit next to Waylon, ignoring the way she’s burning a hole in my head. Wilder’s talking about some twin girls they met at the rodeo and Ellie doesn’t look happy about it.

Is she jealous?

“Well, if your goals were to find the bitchiest sisters in the South, you succeeded,” Ellie says.

Waylon smirks. “Why do you think we took them to the house of mirrors and then bailed?”

“They’re probably still in there tryna find us,” Wilder muses.

“Wait, you ditched them?” Ellie asks, surprised.

I’m not. I’m only surprised she’s surprised.Has she met them?

“As soon as they started talkin’ shit about you, we got rid of ’em,” Waylon says. “Figured they weren’t happy you kicked their asses and didn’t realize you were with us.”

“With you?” Ellie lifts a brow.

“Yeah, you’re an honorary Hollis. That means no one messes with you.” Wilder grins.

“Except Landen.” Waylon laughs, and I nudge him.

Ellie shoves a whole sausage link into her mouth while staring at me as if she’s waiting to see if I’ll confirm his statement or not.

“Nope. We’re mutual enemies. She no longer gets my life-saving services. So you betterchew,” I mock with a smirk.

“Enemies to lovers, huh?” Noah asks behind Ellie, appearing out of nowhere. “My favorite romance book trope. Well, after monster smut. The tails do somethin’ to me.”

Wilder, Waylon, and I give her the same face of disgust.

“Have you come to rescue me?” Ellie asks, glancing over her shoulder.

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