Page 4 of Dirty Secrets

We chat about movies, music and books while we eat. Then we toss observations about Old Hemlock Valley back and forth.

“The bakery uses more butter than sugar,” Jocelyn says as she pushes her plate to the side. “That’s one of the little details I adore.”

She adores my town already.“In summer we burn off all the butter walking the trails, and then come winter we need the extra padding against the cold.” I pat my perfectly flat stomach while I chuckle, not missing the way her gaze wanders across my chest.

“And the giant trucks.” Her light laugh makes me grin. “Some of the trucks in Kingsville, Cincinnati, Columbus – they’re too shiny. Like they’re just for driving to the mall on a big grocery trip. The trucks here are filled with lumber and tools and stuff.”

“Well, we don’t have a mall here. There’s a small one in Spring Grove, an hour and a bit away.”

“An hour and a bit for normal people, or a speed demon like you?”

I love that she’s comfortable enough to tease me. “For anyone driving the posted limits, which I usually do.”

Checking my phone, I see there’s a text from Carson that a rush job just came in. “I’m sorry, I have to get back to work.” Reaching across the table, I hold out my hand, grinning when she takes it. “Just checking: spark still there?”

It looks like she’s fighting to hold in a laugh. “Yeah.”

I desperately want to take her out tonight, but don’t want to rush things. “May I please take you out tomorrow evening?”

“Yes.” Her answer comes at lightning speed, which I take as a great sign.

“Shall I pick you up at your place at six?”

“Sure – wait, how do you know where I live?”

“Please. Everyone in town knows that Riggs rented out his house to three student girls for at least a month. News travels fast in a small town.”

Her free hand darts over to scribble something in the margin of her notebook. “Yeah… That’s what I’ve heard.”

Standing, I kiss the back of her hand, making her blush. “See you tomorrow, gorgeous.”

I pay our bill, and realize I feel taller while walking out of the diner. My shoulders feel broader on my way to my truck, too. Like I take up more space.

Giving Jocelyn a wave as I drive away, I’m aware of a shift deep within me.

I’m ready.

To be her date, and then…her man.

3

JOCELYN

Idon’t believe it.

I’m getting ready for a date.

!!!

Being a quiet person, I’m very used to being left behind. Forgotten. Which is fine, since I’ve always been comfortable being alone. But now for some reason I want to turn cartwheels and tap dance…probably extremely poorly, since I’m really not that coordinated. But I feel… airier. Like my energy is larger.

Giving my hair one last brush, I apply some tinted lip balm, then do a slow twirl in the mirror of the basement bathroom. I like having the downstairs to myself, since it’s so quiet. But I guess I should check my outfit with Nikki and Harper before they get picked up by their dates. It’s just a plain dark blue dress, but it’s quite a bit more revealing than anything I usually wear.

It’s also one of the few nice-ish dresses I own. I don’t want to admit that I’m poor, but honestly? It’s the truth. Between the student loans, which I’ll be paying off for decades, and the rent on my miniscule basement apartment, I’ve never had enough money.

That’s fine. I’m used to it. I’ve always juggled many jobs and worked crazy hours, unlike Walker, who is clearly very established. He owns his own business. A home. I can’t completely trust the gossip in this town, but it sounds like each of the brothers owns several cars.Several!

I already know that we can’t be serious in any way. Our imbalance prevents a real relationship, because I have nothing to bring to the table. But he’s so sweet and sexy… I don’t see the harm in a few dates.

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