Page 5 of Heart of Dixie
My toes pinched as I walked, slowing my footsteps with the reminder of how long I’d been wearing new heels. But my meeting yesterday morning had been an important one, andthe shoes were cute, damn it. I’d change into something more practical once I was back out at the car and could dig through my suitcase. Enough was enough, no sense in blisters.
My stride slowed even further as I neared the Promised Land—rows upon rows of chilled beverages. They even had a nice selection of wine back here, a pleasant surprise I’d be sure to keep in mind for later.
A few high-topped tables had been installed in this section; one of them already occupied. I came up from behind, but the man seated there was a stranger to me. This was someone I definitely would have remembered—broad shoulders hunched over a pile of paperwork, boots propped on the rail of his stool, softened denim straining over his obviously muscular thighs.Yum.
The guy lifted his head to take a sip of his drink as I passed and his dark hair fell loosely over his shoulders. When he reached back to tie it up in a loose man bun, I got a glimpse of short scruff that covered his face. It was undoubtedly soft, as velvety smooth as the caramel-colored irises covered by his tortoiseshell frames. I froze; my gaze swept back to those eyes.What the hell?
3
Deke
The bell on the entry door chimed again—no surprise there. It had been dinging regularly since I first sat down; the place did a steady business. Whatwasa surprise was the clack of high heels that filtered in through my thoughts, coming from the front of the store and moving steadily closer. The footsteps were slow and careful as if the woman was trying to not draw attention to herself. Good luck with that. Not much cause for heels in Kissing Creek.
I picked up my plastic bottle for a sip, then slashed a mark through question number seven on the exam in front of me. This was Robby’s paper; didn’t he drive the ’69 GTO? I could only shake my head. He ought to know all about speed and velocity.
The heeled footsteps halted beside my table. “Deke?”
My pen slashed red ink across Robby’s test as my chin jerked up. I’d recognize her voice anywhere. After all these years, I still heard her. In the empty hallways of Chalmers Union High. Fishing on Jackson Pond. In mysleep.
My heart stopped. Then landed in my fucking lap. It really was her. Tall and tanned and dressed as if she just stepped out of a high-powered boardroom. I shuffled off my chair and found my feet. Along with a bit of leftover resentment conjured during breakfast with my brother. “Dixie.”
Her lips parted in a tentative smile that didn’t quite make it to her eyes as she moved closer. “You’re mad still. I know you are and I get it. I wasn’t even planning to look for you while I was in town, but I walked in the store and here you are—”
I fumbled my arms around her, then released her to hold the soft skin of her hands. No rings. Something skidded in my chest when this registered and I scrambled to hold close the anger and abandonment that had guided my actions for so long after she left.
But my reason seemed to be lost somewhere in the dark, thick cloud of her hair. “Shut up, Dixie. Just stop talking. I’m not mad. Yes, yes, maybe I still am some. More confused than angry after all this time.” Her hair was long now. It trailed over her shoulders and down her back when she let out a deep sigh. Her shampoo was different now too, something like vanilla, which blended nicely with the rich floral of her perfume. I breathed her in as I pressed a kiss to her temple, a jolt zipping through my body and short-circuiting my brain.
Still holding her hands, I stepped back and looked into her deep-set chocolate eyes, which seemed nearly bruised, and waved her onto the vacant stool at my table. “You look tired, have a seat. Talk to me a few minutes.”Shit!“I’m sorry, that was rude. Of course, you’re beautiful.” I stopped jabbering long enough to blow out an agonized breath. “And just like that I’m the gawky teenage boy you left behind.”
“There’s nothing gawky about you anymore, Deke.” She looked me up and down and my face went warm. “I heard you teach at the high school now. It looks to me as though you’ve gotthe hot professor thing down pat.” I strangled out a chuckle and a yawn slipped out with her grin. She shrugged. “You’re right about being tired, though. I’ve been travelling all night. I’ve got a few things to do, then I’m looking forward to some sleep.”
She was gorgeous and proper in her city girl suit and shiny shoes that were so different from anything I’d ever seen her in before. She motioned toward my work piled on the tiny table. “You never did like working at a proper desk.”
I scooped up my papers as I searched her face, but if she meant anything besides a simple comment she hid it well. “I forgot my first period was cancelled today, but I was already in town—”Damn it, get a grip. I took a deep breath. “Anyway, I ran over here to grab some juice and finish up some grading.” I pointed to the plastic bottle that was clearly visible and nearly knocked it off the table. I lurched to grab it before it fell to the floor. “Do you want something?”
She looked down and then away, toward the cold case. “I came in to grab a soda, but then I saw you—”
“I’m glad you did. Saw me. See me. Said hello.”Dammit!I never would have guessed the sight of her would amp me up this way. Sure, when she left I was wrecked, but I was still a kid. I was no longer that immature, inexperienced nerd I was back then. And Shane was convinced I should hold on to my anger.
I should go. Should lethergo and then stay far, far way. It was safer for me that way. But I hadn’t seen her in forever; something inside me wasn’t ready to give her up yet. I let my gaze wander the room; inspiration had to be here somewhere. My eyes landed on the utilitarian clock hanging on the wall.The time! School!
But I had to see her again!
“Dixie, I have to get to class or I’ll be late. Meet me tonight?”Great idea, Einstein, but for what? Dinner? No, better not.What if it turned out to be a bad idea after all? Drinks was safer. Somewhere with bright lights and loud music.
She studied the floor a minute, gnawing her bottom lip. “Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“I’ve got a few things to take care of after school; how about dinner?”Dinner?I proceeded to stuff class papers into my messenger bag.Whatever happened tonot a good idea, asshole? “Sure, my place. Let me cook for you.”Fuck!My tongue was apparently in charge of this conversation.
At her hesitant nod, I handed her my cell phone. “Great! Give me your number; I’ll text you so you have mine.” I shuffled through my pack until I found a blank sheet of paper and jotted down the route to my house. “I have a log house a few miles outside of town. Just follow the directions; you shouldn’t have any problem finding it.”
She handed my phone back, then folded the sheet of paper and shoved it in her oversized purse. “I’ll let you know if I’m running late.” After kissing my cheek, she grabbed a pop from the cooler and clacked her way toward the front, theringof the cash register the last I heard of her.
I finished gathering my belongings and hitched my bag onto my shoulder. Dinner with Dixie at my house? What the hell was I thinking?
4
Dixie
