Page 6 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

Dang. Those green eyes accelerated my heartrate.

“Something like that.” He pointed ahead. “Y’all are holding up the line.”

Tessa and Cami stepped up to pay, but I hung back when Eli touched my arm.

“If he comes back, call it in. I’ll circle past a few times during the night.”

“How did you know...”

He pinched his lips together a second. “I saw you walking over here.”

That was only part of the explanation, but if I prodded him for more information, Cami and Tessa would know something was up.

Now I knew that when he talked about work, I could get complete sentences. I filed away that tidbit of information. “Thanks, Eli.”

He responded with a slight nod. If I’d never seen him around our other friends, I would’ve called him the strong, silent type, but he was only quiet with me, which made him the strong, shy type. I’d never dated a guy who was shy. Those weren’t the guys who asked me out.

I was hoping that would change.

Because apparently Eli was around when I needed him. I just didn’t know it.

If he’d seen the guy leave the parking lot, then Eli probably saw me run across the street.

“Sorry about jaywalking.”

A real Gallagher grin spread across his face. “Just be sure it doesn’t happen again.”

I couldn’t promise that. Jaywalking was one rule I didn’t mind breaking.

After paying for my food, I carried my tray into the dining area. It was emptier than normal for a Thursday night. Cami and Tessa were already seated at one of the long picnic-style tables when I walked up.

Tessa patted the seat beside her. “Sit over here.”

I dropped onto the bench beside her and immediately regretted it.

Eli sat two tables away, facing us. Whenever I glanced up, guess who I saw? Dinner was going to be awkward.

“You never answered about the potato salad, so I grabbed one. I can’t eat all of it. Help yourself.”

I scooped out part of it. “Thanks.”

Tessa glanced at Eli, then at me. Her wheels were turning, and I prayed she wouldn’t ask me any questions about him.

After downing two slices of brisket, Cami patted the table. “Tell us what happened. The dude had to be awful if you didn’t even eat dinner.”

“But first, where did you meet the guy?” Tessa pulled a paper towel off the roll in the middle of the table.

“Y’all know that I’ve been going to look at puppies. Obviously, I’m not going to get one until my house is finished, but whenever they have adoption days, I go look. I can’t help myself.”

“You should get a kitten.” Cami folded a slice of white bread around some moist brisket.

Tessa laughed. “Was the guy at the puppy adoption?”

“Yep. He didn’t leave with a dog, so now I’m thinking he just goes to meet women. How low is that?”

“You didn’t leave with a dog either.” Tessa smirked.

“Very funny.” I picked up a rib and pointed it at her. “I go for the puppies, not to meet guys.”

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