Page 60 of The Leaving Road

The ringing in Sloan’s pocket interrupted our bubble, and he frowned when he saw the caller ID.

“I need to take this.” I had figured he would go somewhere private, but he shocked me by staying near me and answering.

“Remi?” he said, and I faintly heard a frantic voice on the other side of the line, I just couldn’t make out what was happening.

“Take a deep breath. It’s okay. I’ll come in. It’s no problem.” He looked over at me and I could see the apology there even though there wasn’t a need for it, but I appreciated that he felt bad.

Hanging up, he took a deep breath before explaining to us that Remi’s kid is sick. She couldn’t find anyone to cover, but she didn’t want to bring him with her because she didn’t want anyone else to get sick.

“Remi’s one of the best, single moms I know. She’s younger but has her head on straight. Reliable and people love her,” Jace said in confirmation.

“She’s good people,” Sloan said, but his eyes were on me. “Any chance I could convince you to hang out at the bar with me all night?” He did his best puppy dog face, and I had to admit, it didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

“She’ll be fine, lover boy. Go cover the shift; I’ll be here with herallnight.” Lex did her best attempt at a sultry voice.

“Hey, hands off my woman, Lex.”

“Your woman, huh?” I couldn’t help but ask, trying to sound serious but even I could hear the teasing in my tone.

He dropped his arms to the banister, on either side of me where I was sitting, and leaned in, kissing my cheek before lingering.

“Mywoman,” he whispered and then backed off, nodding in Lex and Jace’s direction before turning and taking his leave.

I couldn’t help but feel like the ball was in my court, so I yelled after him, “Hey, Sloan?”

He turned around right before he reached his car door. “Yeah, pretty girl?”

His words caused my cheeks to flush,

“You said you have my number? Maybe you should use it.”

He grinned at me. “Maybe I will.”

Not thirty seconds later, my phone rang in my back pocket.

“Hello?”

“Just making sure this wasn’t a fake number.”

I couldn’t help the pure laughter that rolled through me even if I wanted to.

“What do you think you’re doing, Sloan?”

“What I should have done eight years ago.”

Flip. Flip. Flip.

Chapter 37

Magnolia

“Is it time for dinner yet?” Jace hollered out from behind me, shaking me out of my trance from watching Sloan walk away. I didn’t need to respond because Lexie took care of that for me instead.

“Lunch and dinner, Jace?” She cocked an eyebrow at him, even though she couldn’t hide the smile on her face.

“I can’t think of a better way to spend my evening.” He grinned back at her and followed her like a lost puppy toward the kitchen area. I couldn’t help but think how screwed Lexie was; it was clear he wassmittenwith her and vice versa.

“You don’t have to hang out here, Jace. Lexie and I are totally capable of protecting ourselves. You don’t need to stay if Sloan threatened you into it.”

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