Page 30 of Fall Into Me

“I think I’ve heard a thing or two about you,” Mags said, leaning back into her chair.

“I’m sure it’s all true.”

“What if what I’ve heard is bad, young man?”

“Then it’s definitely true.”

“Oh, Calista. I like him,” she said to Cali, who was rigid as a plank of wood tucked into my side.

“Yay.” She couldn’t have sounded less enthusiastic, her finger reaching up to push up her nose. “Mags owns the bar down the street. It’s, uh, it’s called Mags’,” she added.

“We’ll definitely be seeing you then,” I told her with a smile. Ash nodded his head in agreement. “And this is Ash.” I gestured to him.

“Cali, dear,” Mags said, looking at her with a frown. “I don’t think you know this young man’s name. You called him Albert before.”

She said ‘Albert’ by overexaggerating the shape of every letter with her mouth like Cali was hard of hearing.

“Okay.” Cali pulled out of my grip. I’d pulled her closer to me without noticing, and the side of my body she’d been tucked into was left blistering cold and smelling of her cherry blossom shampoo.

Her fingers curled around the milk jug, and I couldn’t stop staring. The way she moved, like every small motion was a part of something bigger, had me rooted to the floor. My throat went dry when she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her brow furrowed in concentration. I’d been obsessed with her then, and now? I was fucking hopeless.

“Fane,” Mags called from behind. “What are you doing in town?”

“Development review, ma’am.”

She frowned, and I was sure I’d just lost whatever growing acquaintance was between us. “Developing what?”

“That’s yet to be decided. We’re evaluating the town for possible growth and investment opportunities.”

“Oh. That’s…new,” she said, not sounding surprised at all. Her eyes darted in Cali’s direction. Her flowing movements had turned rigid and loud. Her eyes now steely and zoned entirely in on me.

“I’m taking into consideration the wants and opinions of the locals. Calista will be spending the next month showing me the roots of the town so that we can review reasons to leave Darling as is too.”

“Oh!” Mags lit up at that. “That’s good.”

“Here’s your coffee. Fane?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I talk to you out back?” She didn’t even wait for me to answer before storming into the kitchen and out the back door that released an echoing slam into the café.

“Oh, your balls are most definitely toast.” Ash didn’t even try to whisper.

“I’ll remove your balls if you don’t shut up,” I said through gritted teeth.

He grabbed his coffee and three cookies from the jar. Hands raised in feigned innocence. “Sorry, big man,” he said around a mouthful. “Got to get to work.”

I watched him leave, wishing I could leave with him, but not only was that not an option, Cali hadn’t even made me a coffee.

“Excuse me.” I nodded at Mags and headed out through the kitchen, my mood infinitely more sour than it had been whenI’d walked here. I didn’t even have time to breathe before Cali whirled on me.

“You’re a lying liar. You…youliar!”

“Might want to tone down the profanity there, sailor.” I had no idea what she was talking about.

She thrust one pointed finger in the direction of the café. “You can’t just lie to old women.”

“Okay.” I was still confused, but I’m sure she thought I was just lying about that too, if the look on her face was anything to go by.

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