Page 54 of Sneak Attack

Maybe itwastimeto start putting that behind me. Because this? Dinner with friends and teasing and laughter—I was starting to think I desperately needed that again.

It was after our dinner plates were cleared and we all ordered another round when Sarah gently cleared her throat in a way people did when they were trying to get someone’s attention.

“Yes?” I asked, and while she’d been laughing and vibrant with Nora, her features had softened.

I buckled up and waited for her question.

“I don’t mean to pry—”

“So don’t,” Nora cut in.

Sarah ignored her. “But well, that thing with you and Nate last week. And after you left, there was talk. You said you used to live here, but isn’t Nate younger?”

I should have known the question would come at some point. I’d hoped Nora’s disdain with gossip would help, but I wasn’t that lucky.

I glanced at the table. Too bad I didn’t have any more food I could shovel into my mouth.

“I lived here for a year, my senior year. I was friends with Nate’s older sister. Hilary?” Her name got stuck in my throat, but I forced it out. Jagged cuts in my throat remained behind.

“Oh.” Sarah’s lips formed a perfect circle. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“Why just that one year?” Nora asked. “I mean, that must have been hard moving to this town in your last year of high school and everything.”

“My dad is, or was, an economics professor. He got passed over for the department lead chair at the university where he worked, and well, there were other things going on at that university and he wanted to do something new. Nashville College had a short-term, one-year opening while they looked for a full-time professor and since he didn’t know where he wanted to end up, he took the job down here. He was eventually hired at a university in Pensacola, so they moved there after graduation.”

“And you went with them?”

I’d planned on following them and going to Florida State or Miami, had even been accepted once my dad got the job down there. But then Cole happened, and my acceptance for Tennessee came…

“Yeah. After Hilary…” I clutched my glass so painfully it was a wonder it didn’t shatter in my hand.

“So that means you know Cole. Cole Buchanan?”

Sarah asked, and her eyes lit in that way I imagined most women did when he was around.

“I did. Well, do. We were all, well we were close that year.”

“What’s he like? I mean, there’s always talk about him, and I’ve been introduced to him before and everything, but even when he’s around town and hanging out, it’s not like anyone approaches him or anything. But still…he’samazingat football.”

Nora pushed up, reached across the table and gently pressed her fingers to the bottom of Sarah’s jaw, snapping it closed. “You’re drooling in public.”

I chuckled. “Cole’s…he’s Cole. He’s just this guy. I don’t know. I mean, we were all friends, and Cole was always great. At football. At school. At being a good friend.”

The lie burned the jagged pieces in my throat, and I flinched, taking a sip of my wine. I’dnevertalked about him and in less than twelve hours I’d not only been kissed by him, but now was trying to explain who he was. To me?

To me, he was the guy I could never have and never should have wanted.

He was unattainable. And absolutely perfect.

“I’m sorry,” Sarah said, more of a broken whisper. “I shouldn’t have asked, but I’m always curious and I don’t always think before I ask such questions.”

I went to tell her it was okay, I didn’t mind, but movement caught my eye nearing my table and then I prayed for the ground to swallow me whole.

“It’s amazing you’re even bold enough to show your face in town.”

Next to me, Nora made a choking sound.

Across the table, Sarah’s jaw once again unhinged. She paled as Selma scanned the company with me at the table, almost fearful of what Selma would do to us.

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