Page 67 of Lodged

Gio: That was exactly my reaction.

Penny: Have you tried to ask her what the fuck?

Gio: I haven’t been able to, I can barely look at her. I’m literally speechless.

Penny: Do you want me to come to Azalea Creek?

Gio: I don’t know, Pen. I mean, unless she took acting after she left Raleigh, she seems like she genuinely doesn’t know me. So I need to see if I can finally talk to her and start asking about her accident. I just know it won’t be tonight. I’ll have to gain her trust again.

Penny: I know it might be hard, but the only way to find out what’s going on is by asking her straight out.

Gio: Thanks for listening. I’ll keep you posted.

I put my phone away just in time as Ruin steps up to me, a curious smile on her face. I can’t stop avoiding her eyes anymore. When our gazes lock, I feel something click inside me—like the very first time I saw her in my teaching lab. This is definitely my Ruin, and it breaks my heart that she doesn’t remember me.

“I’m sorry, do you mind if I take a seat for a second? I shouldn’t be on my feet for long periods of time, but then I decided to work as a waitress.” She blows a piece of stray hair from her face, and it takes everything in me not to reach out and tuck it behind her ear.

“Are you alright? I apologize in advance, but why do you need to take breaks?” I ask her as I feel my hands start to sweat and my heart race with anticipation.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just need to take it easy on my left ankle, that's all.” She waves my concern off and stands with her pen and notepad, ready to take my order. I haven’t even checked the menu, but I’m not ready to stop talking to her.

“What would you recommend?”

She taps her pen on her lips as she thinks. “Well, I’m a little biased because I love everything my sister cooks, but if you have a big appetite, I’d recommend the Big Ole Platter. It has a little bit of everything from our menu.”

I look at her intently, recognizing every single freckle on her beautiful face—the soft curve of her eyebrows, the gold specks in her green eyes. She moves closer to me, and I stay there, immobile. She wipes a tear from my cheek—I hadn’t even realized I was crying—and that brings me out of my stupor. I take her hand in mine, and we stay frozen for a moment in time. I place a kiss on her hand, and she jerks back.

“I’m sorry,” we both say at the same time, chuckling in unison. I nod at her to go first, and she smiles as heat rises up her neck.

“I’m so sorry, I never do that—wipe tears off strangers. I don’t know what came over me.” She lowers her gaze, and I’m thankful for it because her words cut through my chest like a dagger.

“It’s alright. Actually, I think I’m going to pass on dinner tonight,” I say as I take my wallet out. She rushes to wave her hand, trying to prevent me from paying.

“It’s okay, truly. I’ll come back soon to try that platter,” I assure her with a smile as I leave a couple of bills on the table and head outside. I don’t want her to see me break down.

Chapter 30

Ruin MacAllister

The moment that handsome guy leaves, I rush to the kitchen to tell Rain about him.

“Rain, come quick.” She takes a pan off the heat and washes her hands, drying them as she approaches me.

“What is it?” she asks as I pull her toward the side door that leads to the alley. By the time we get to Main Street, the handsome guy is turning the opposite direction.

“There. Do you see that guy?” I ask her, excitement rushing through my body.

“What about him?” she asks with a frown.

“Well, he came to the diner just now. I’ve never seen him in my life, but I swear Rain, he’s the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen. And his accent?” I gesture with a chef's kiss. “I’m not sure where he’s from, but oh my gosh, Rain. He had me all hot and bothered.”

Rain snorts as she rolls her eyes at me. “You’re crazy”

“No Rain, I’m telling you. There’s something about this guy. We even had the weirdest encounter.” Rain stops walking and folds her arms across her chest, looking at me in the eye.

“Nothing bad, stop it.” Now, it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “He was just looking at me like he knew me, and after staring at me for a bit, he started crying. I think it was involuntary because he didn’t realize he was doing it until I wiped a tear off his cheek.” Rain widens her eyes in horror, and I bark out a laugh. “Then I better not tell you that he kissed my hand after I did that.”

“Do we need to call the sheriff?” Rain asks, going full protective mode.

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