Page 14 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

I kicked the empty box into the corner, then walked into my room. “I might meet you there. We’ll see.” My casual tone hopefully masked my eagerness.

Flipping through the clothes dangling from the rack that served as my temporary closet, I looked for something fabulous. Something that would render Eli Gallagher talkative. Did an outfit like that even exist?

I ended the call but glanced at my phone when it buzzed. Cami had sent the address.

If Eli was working tonight, he probably wouldn’t even be at the party. If I didn’t go and he showed up, I’d kick myself.

But I didn’t want to go alone, so I called Tessa. “Hiya. Are you going to Haley’s tonight?”

I omitted Zach’s name altogether, so she wouldn’t hear the excitement in my voice when I said the name Gallagher.

“Thinking about it. You?” She sounded tired.

“Sounds fun. Want me to pick you up?”

“No. They live just down the road from me. I’ll walk. But don’t tell Eli.”

“That will be easy because he doesn’t talk to me.” I tried to sound like I didn’t care.

Tessa laughed. She wasn’t fooled. “Like you didn’t talk the other night in line? Or how he doesn’t talk to you when he stops in to check on you every night? You’re keeping secrets.”

“You know how he is about women living in the strip mall. He’s being cautious. And it is a good night for a stroll. I’ll see you there.” I’d skirted the question for now, but eventually I’d end up telling Tessa about my plan. Just not tonight.

After jumping into the shower—now when I showered, I checked all the locks first—I slipped into a pair of fitted jeans, pulled on a white scoop-neck top, and finished off my casual look with a pair of easy-to-walk-in shoes.

Underneath all that, what I was wearing was incredibly cute, but no one would see that tonight.

If I was too dressed up, Eli would avoid me completely. And Cami would think I was giving into the notion of chasing Eli. I didn’t want either of those things. This casual outfit looked more like Cami had dragged me to a party.

I dried my hair, put on a bare minimum of makeup, then tucked my phone and keys in my pocket. Tonight, I wouldn’t even take a purse.

One step out the door, I stopped. If it got the least bit cold, I’d hate the walk back. I ran back inside and grabbed my flannel shirt with the lace trim. Practical and cute. With the shirt tied around my waist, I studied the map as I crossed the parking lot.

When the street was clear, I ran across, then glanced back down at the map. I had many talents, and getting lost was one of them. So, even in this small town, I double checked the map.

A truck rumbled up to the curb, and before looking to see who it was, I slid my keys out of my pocket. The pepper spray key chain was small, but it carried a punch. I shifted my finger into position.

I turned just as Eli rolled down the window.

“You just jaywalk whenever and wherever, don’t you?”

The reflective sunglasses blocked my view of his glorious green eyes. It also made it difficult to read his expression.

“You going to give me a ticket?”

He shook his head. “It’s your lucky night. I’m off duty. At least for another few hours.”

“You cut your sleep short to party?”

“For Zach’s brisket, I might cut off an arm.”

A truck passed, honking as it went. Of course Cami and Harper would drive by as I was talking to Eli. I’d hear about this later.

“I should get over there.” He shifted out of park and started rolling but stopped after only a few feet. “Want a ride?”

I hopped into the passenger seat before he could retract his offer.

For the next two minutes, he didn’t say a word. Any chance at conversation was up to me.

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