Page 68 of Crashing the Altar
I gave a tiny nod. “Yeah, I am.”
“That’s all I can ask for, then.”
God, why did he have to be so nice about all this? It would be so much easier if he lost his temper, if he lashed out at me for the humiliation I’d caused him. Then I could write him off as an asshole and sleep easier at night, knowing I’d dodged a bullet.
But that wasn’t Jake’s style. He was too damn nice, forcing me to face the fact thatIwas the asshole in this situation.
“So, you, uh, planning on sticking around in Rust Canyon?” The only reason he’d rented this house was because my work on Sullivan Ranch demanded I live nearby, if not on the ranch itself.
Jake’s lips folded inward, and he hummed with a nod. “Until the lease is up. It’s a convenient location with all the clients I have in the area.”
Right. Couldn’t forget that even though we were no longer a couple, we would forever be colleagues. Thankfully, the countless animals on the Sullivan property kept me busy enough that it was unlikely that we would have any future run-ins in a professional capacity. Just had to get through the next eight months or so around town until his lease expired, and he—hopefully—moved on.
He hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ve gotta get going.”
“Yeah, me too,” I said.
“Be well, Penny.” Before I could return the sentiment, he shut the door in my face, and I sagged in relief that the awkward interaction was over.
Shoulders slumped, I turned and walked back to where Tripp stood, waiting with open arms. I burrowed my face into his chest, hoping his embrace would provide the comfort I so desperately needed.
“You okay?”
Nodding my response, I let his scent fill my nostrils as I took deep, calming breaths.
Wait a minute . . .
I pulled back to find him looking down at me in concern. “What is it?”
“Did you change your cologne?”
He cocked his head, brow furrowing. “No.”
Pressing my nose to the base of his throat, I inhaled deeply. I couldn’t detect a single trace of the clove aroma I associated with the man I loved. He smelled musky, and not in a good way. It actually had my stomach turning over.
“You sure?”
“Pretty sure,” he laughed out.
“Strange,” I muttered, still not convinced.
“Why don’t we pop on over to Canyon Comforts for milkshakes before we head back home? A sugar high is bound to put you in a better mood.”
“Sounds perfect,” I agreed.
When I walked through the door, my mouth began to water at the scent of sizzling meat. Tripp’s back was to me as steam billowed up from whatever he had cooking on the stove.
“Smells delicious. Whatcha makin’?” I asked, venturing closer.
He peeked over his shoulder. “Why don’t you come see for yourself?”
With practiced movements, he stirred pasta through boiling water, but it was the ham mixed with peas in the frying pan that tipped me off to his meal selection for the evening.
“This is my favorite!” I bounced on the balls of my feet.
“Don’t I know it.” Humor filled his voice at my reaction. “Figured you could use a pick-me-up after a rough day.”
Curling an arm around his waist, I rested my head on his shoulder with a sigh. “Thank you. This is amazing.”
