Page 8 of Rugged Fox

It was better that my team and I got to know the locals if they were going to be up in our personal business. I had a feeling our every step would be talked about.

"The name's Ivan, I own the hardware store next door."

That's why the guy looked slightly familiar. The One Stop Shop had been a frequent destination for me and my friends over the last few days.

"That's right. You've been dealing with my boss, Maverick, a lot the past week or so."

It was still weird calling Maverick “boss.” He was my team leader for years, but now he was the man signing my paychecks.

"Yep." The man nodded his head with vigor. "A great guy. I must say, I was happy to see the empty building on the other side of the antique shop finally found some use. Two whole years that place was deserted. The whole town was starting to think no one would buy the dang place and then you all moved in."

I understood why no one wanted the place. The building was nearly seventy years old, and from what Maverick told me, it hadn't been updated since the previous owner passed away. The place was left to his son, who wanted nothing to do with it. It hadn't even been cleaned out after the old man croaked. From the pictures Maverick had sent, there were half-done tailored suits still on tables. It was almost like the man keeled over and no one thought to step foot in the place ever again.

"Well, I'm glad we could be of service."

"I'm betting there will be lots of ladies in town who want your services. It's practically unheard of to get new blood in this town. Although, from what I hear, you, sir, already have one of the ladies in a tizzy."

I looked across the diner to where Kati was doing her best not to look my way. It wasn't all that hard considering her booth was perpendicular to ours. Something that would be odd in any other restaurant but somehow made sense here.

"It was just a bit of a misunderstanding," I replied, not bothering to go into further details. Small towns were like a game of telephone. What the first person said and what the final person heard were two completely different things. God only knew what this man's version was.

"I don't know," Ivan cackled. "Ms. Daisy is predicting a wedding in the future and that woman is never wrong."

I nearly choked at the man's words. No, not nearly. I did choke. The embarrassing kind that had everyone in the damn diner looking over to see what was happening. I banged on my chest like it might actually help, but my damn body betrayed me and I continued to sound like a dying man.

"Oh dear. Here's your sweet tea." Bee appeared out of thin air and dropped the dewy glass in front of me. "Can I get you something else to help with that?"

I waved her off and did my best to control the coughing fit as it ravished my body. But I didn't miss the smirk on Hendrix's face, despite the unshed tears obstructing part of my vision.

"Not exactly the kind of response a man should have to his upcoming nuptials," Hendrix teased.

"Your friend is right, you know."

When I finally stopped sounding like I might keel over at any moment, I gave them both a glare that would hopefully make them shit their pants in fear. Unfortunately, no such luck.

"Screw you both. Ivan, I understand this isn't the best first impression, but I don't care what Ms. Daisy has to say. There's no wedding in my future."

I tried my best not to look over at where Kati sat with another woman and who I assumed was her son, but it was no use. My eyes had a mind of their own. And just like every other person in the place, she was looking right at me. The rest of the diner simply melted away as I was captivated by her intense stare.

That was until Hendrix's chuckle and subtle boot hitting my shin pulled my attention away.

"Rightttt . . ." Hendrix dragged the word out. "You might want to have that discussion with your eyes. I don't think they got the memo."

"Tell me again why I wanted you to join me for dinner?"

"Because you missed my ugly mug. Besides, who else would've joined you? Mave is too busy getting things set up, and better him than us. Aaron's been here a million times, so he would've just given his opinion on everything. Lex wouldn't have spoken at all, but since he's not in town, it didn't matter. Both Nolen and Owen are just too damn nice. You need someone like me who can shoot it straight with you." Hendrix wiggled his eyebrows. "Tell me I'm wrong?"

The cocky bastard knew he was right, and it was damn annoying. The seven of us had known each other so long that we were familiar with each other's quirks. Despite how obnoxious he was, Hendrix was usually who I hung out with the most. The last few days had been boring without my buddy around.

"Screw you." I crushed the straw wrapper and tossed it at him.

Hendrix's reflexes could've batted the tiny ball away but, instead, let it hit him square in the chest with a huge grin on his face.

"What's that look for?"

"Oh, nothing." Hendrix whistled.

I knew him better than that. It was never nothing when it came to my friend. "Just spit it out already." I shook my head.

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