“I hate to say this, because you know I’m all about honesty, but you can’t tell her. Things are on the brink as it is with this and any tiny wind could blow this deal down. I’m sorry, Jake. If this thing tanks on its own, that’s one thing. But we can’t pull the plug ourselves. Look, I’m sending a car for you. Tonight. Just text me the address. I kept your suite at L’Auberge because I still want you to spend some time there. Will that work? It will help you get out before you get any deeper with her.”
Jake pulled the Jeep to a stop next to the garage. He closed his eyes and covered them with his hand. All he could see was Shelby’s face. What would she say when he said he was leaving? He was supposed to give her a ride home tonight. Should he still do that? Maybe he could call and tell her that he wouldn’t be able to pick her up at the diner.
“Jake? You there?”
“Yeah.”
Xander sighed into the phone. “You really like this girl?”
Jake had a hard time speaking. A wave of emotions tangled his chest. “I barely know her.”
“Wow. You’ve got it bad. Or…good, I guess. Depending on how you look at it. Jake, I’m really sorry. I mean, this is the first girl since Hannah and I hate—”
“Don’t. It’s fine, okay? I’ll talk to the mayor and I’ll send you the address to pick me up tonight. Bye, Xan.”
Jake had to hang up before…what? He cried? This was ridiculous. Shelby clearly had some kind of draw—the whole town seemed captivated by her. But Jake barely knew her. Xan was right, though—Jake hadn’t been this interested in anyone since Hannah. Maybe even before Hannah. Jake couldn’t remember feeling anything like this for any woman. Ever. He needed to engage his logic. The same calm and cool thoughts that kept him at the top of his game, bringing Obsidian millions of dollars in revenue on every project. Feelings didn’t rule that Jake.
After a few minutes of breathing and self-talk, Jake walked into the garage after finding the front office empty. “Hello?”
He could hear voices, but it was dark and took a minute for his eyes to adjust. “Hey, there Mr. Aston Martin! How are ya?”
Greg walked over and slapped him on the shoulder. “Sit down. We’re just discussing town gossip. Don’t tell, though. Men aren’t supposed to gossip. Have a beer.”
Slim and another guy who introduced himself as Aiden were sitting around the corner of the garage by a workbench. Greg pulled over a folding chair for Jake and handed him a beer. It was ten in the morning. Jake popped the top but didn’t drink.
“How’s she doing?” He asked, jerking his head toward Layla, who was, thankfully, under a car cover.
“Same. We should be getting in those parts later today and then we can see what we’re working with.”
“So maybe another day?”
Slim chuckled. “What are you running from?”
Jake looked down in his beer. “Nothing. I just never planned to be here. I’ve got to get back to Chicago.”
Slim took a long swallow of beer, watching Jake over the top of the can. Jake wondered how much Matt had said to him. Jake took a swallow of beer. Greg had said they were gossiping...what if...
“You heard about Shelby losing her place?” Greg said. “Shame. I don’t know what they’ve got cooking but something’s going on in this town.”
Jake was glad for the dim lighting so none of them could see his face flush. He took another sip of beer. “Yeah?”
“Talks of the permit office and city planners. No one trusts the mayor as far as you could throw him—have you met him?” Jake shook his head. Greg cackled. “Let’s just say you couldn’t throw him far. And he’s got some big secret. We all know it but so far everyone has been closed-lip. Too bad about Shelby though. She’s had a lot of rough breaks and keeps kicking.”
“Like her dad?” Jake asked.
“And her mama,” Slim said.
“Her mom?”
“Looney as a jaybird,” Greg said. “Took off years ago for the psych ward a few counties over.”
Jake felt like his throat was closing in. He saw Shelby’s face as he told her she was crazy the night before. He meant it as a compliment and couldn’t understand why she ran. Now he did.
“Is her mom still there?”
“Nah. She run off,” Slim said. “Don’t know how you get out of a place like that, but she did. No one’s seen hide nor hair since. She’s fixing to be dead somewhere.”
Jake closed his eyes. The feeling of guilt lay on his chest like a lead anvil, crushing him. Really and truly, he was a terrible person. He felt sweat pricking at his hairline.