Page 28 of Too Close To Call

Until that moment, I hadn’t realized there was. I remember so many conversations with Dale. Some were heated arguments. He didn’t want us to marry or even go public with our relationship. Even the day Tori came home from college and we were planning to announce our engagement, he was dead set against it. He said Tori needed time to establish herself in a job before we made that move.

What did he have against us being together? What did he have against me? I thought we were more than friends. I loved the man and I thought he loved me like the son he never had.

Being with Tori is a blaring road sign warning of danger ahead. If you’re wise, you stay away from danger.

CHAPTER 10

TORI

First thing Monday morning, three women pushing baby strollers march into the shop like soldiers on a mission. I step into the waiting area and am met by angry faces and crossed arms. One I remember from last week—Kimberly. She came in for an oil change and she was very inquisitive and friendly, the exact opposite of the vibe she’s giving off today.

“Mommy, look! It’s babies!” Daisy exclaims and runs to my side. As much as she wants to play with them, she knows not to approach unless given permission. Daisy looks up at one woman and asks, “What’s its name?”

Kimberly is blonde and so is another one, and the third woman has deeply rich brunette hair. They are all strikingly beautiful. The blonde that isn’t Kimberly, and looks like she could be the next Marvel action figure, says, “His name is Dylan and I’m Shyanne.”

Daisy waves. “Hey, Dylan. Hello, Ms. Shyanne.”

I’m not sure how old Dylan is, but he’s unimpressed with my daughter’s manners. My gaze moves back to the three women.

The other blonde says, “We met last week. I’m Kimberly and this is Liam.”

The sexy older brunette tries to smile, but then remembers to purse her lips. “And this is Brianna and I’m Jen.”

“Hello, ladies. Kimberly, it’s good to see you again. Nice to meet you, Jen and Shyanne. As you probably know, my name is Tori, and this is my daughter, Daisy.”

“We know,” Kimberly says as the group’s spokesperson. “And I may have to rescind your invitation to the Book Chicks meeting.”

“Why am I not the least bit surprised by that?” I bite my lip to keep from grinning. This is the least intimidating group ever. Well, except for Shyanne. I’d hate to get on her bad side. “If you’d like, you can let your children play with Daisy. She’s a really good babysitter. She has younger twin brothers. We can maybe share a cup of coffee and a pastry. Then we can chat and get to know each other. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

I know I shouldn’t sound so condescending. They obviously know about my relationship—or lack of—with Case. These are his friends and they are only trying to protect him. I should be happy he has such a strong team in his corner. I should be, but I’m not.

Spying the pink box, Jen points her chin toward it and asks, “Is that doughnuts from Love Bites? They just opened and I love everything in that store. My hips and butt can attest to that.”

Kimberly snorts and says, “Who are you kidding, Jen? Rod has no problem with either.”

I do a doubletake at the way their attitudes flip. “Yes. Daisy and I found the bakery our first day on the island. Please, help yourselves.”

I stand back and watch the women get their children settled and then help themselves to the coffee bar. I’ve never been around women much in my life. I was raised by my dad and my playground was a dirty, greasy garage filled with men.

Most women find me threatening and I’ve always been curious about why. Seeing these women interact hits something inside me that I wish I’d had growing up. If it hadn’t been for Carina, I wouldn’t have known how to dress or do my hair, or even how to take care of that time of the month.

Carina and I have each other’s backs. Always. I wonder what it would have been like to have a group of friends this tight and supportive. It’s obvious they have a beef with me and if I had to guess, it has to do with Case. I recognize Kimberly as Case’s brother’s wife and Jen is his uncle’s wife. Shyanne, I’m not sure of.

Once they all have coffee and doughnuts, I ask, “What can I do for you ladies? Are you here for tune-ups or information?”

Kimberly levels her gaze at me. “I like the direct approach. We want to know what your intentions are towards Case.”

Kimberly would make a good lawyer instead of an innkeeper. “Wow. That’s direct and also none of your business.”

“He’s my brother-in-law,” she says by way of explaining her straightforwardness.

“And my nephew-in-law,” Jen adds with a smile and takes a bite of a strawberry crème-filled doughnut.

Shyanne fixes her gaze on the doughnut in Jen’s hand with longing in her eyes. She really wants that pastry, but with a body like hers, I can’t imagine sugar has ever passed her lips. “Case is my friend and my husband is Bode’s best friend.”

I lean back in my chair and cross my arms and sigh. Thisisnone of their business, but I’d want to protect a friend too. Not only that, but if I expect to have any future with Case, I’d need to win over his friends as well. “What do you want to know?”

Jen counts off on her fingers. “We know you are the reason Case stopped racing. We know you hurt him not once, but twice. And why are you here?”

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