Page 7 of Totally Off Limits

“Yeah, that’s him. You might also know him as Johnny Church.”

“Wait. What? The groom?”

“Yep. And he’s kind of my boss but kind of my coworker. I’m in his band.”

“No way! I thought you were in some garage band back when…” No way was she going to sayback when they’d slept together. “Was that it?”

“Not even. I’d probably still be in Winchester if I was with them.”

“That explains why I haven’t seen you around.” Although she’d hardly ever seen him after graduation anyway. Back then, she’d spent most of her time at the community college—and then, after graduating from college and passing the exam to become a registered nurse, she’d focused on work and no play—so it wouldn’t have surprised her if he’d said he was still living there.

“Believe me, there’s no love loss between this town and me. None whatsoever.”

“Yeah. The last time I saw you, I think I remember you saying something about kicking the dirt of the town off your shoes.”

“And yet here I am. In all fairness, though, coming back…it feels like home.”

Sierra smiled, because she hoped to be in his shoes soon, and looked out the side window. “Oh, shit. I guess I need to tell you where I live.”

“I thought I’d buy you a coffee first. I saw there’s a Starbucks here nowadays. They should still be open, don’t you think?”

“Oh, yeah. They’re open pretty late, I think.”

“Cool. Then you can tell me over coffee what your life’s been like since I saw you last.”

Oh, hell, no. “Actually, Mickey, I need to lie down. That’s part of why I was bugging out of the reception early.”

“Oh. Sorry. I’m an asshole for not asking in the first place. Do you still live with your parents on the mountain?”

“No. I have a condo on the west end of town.”

“So keep going this way?”

“Yeah. You’ll want to turn right at York Street.”

He drove in silence even after turning until Sierra said, “It’s on the next block. You can turn into the parking lot there.”

As he slowed the car, he said, “I’m gonna be in Winchester for a few weeks. Maybe we can get together a time or two before I leave.”

Aside from him potentially figuring out her secret, she liked that idea. “Sounds good.”

Pulling into a parking space, he switched off the engine. When Sierra put her hand on the doorknob, he said, “No way. Give me a second.” And it wasn’t long before he opened her door, holding out a hand to help her out. “And, because I’m not an asshole, I’m going to walk you to your door.”

“It’s safe here, Mickey. I’ll be fine.”

“That’s not the point.” He held out an elbow and Sierra couldn’t help but feel a little thrill as she looped her arm in his.

“My place is right there.”

“Nice digs. This place is the shit.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“These condos are nice. They’re pretty new, aren’t they?”

“Yeah. Every time my parents come over here, I have to hear abouturban sprawl.”

“Winchester’s a town—and it’s growing. How’s thatsprawl?”

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