Page 26 of Fortune's Control
“I enjoy dressing up.”
I wore my typical denim and raglan shirt. Like a slob. “Not me.”
The dulcet tones of her laughter filled the air. “Yet we’re still going to dinner.”
When I dropped off furniture at the Live Oak Gallery yesterday morning, Pete brought it up again, and then Jack dropped an unsubtle hint that the townsfolk would start wondering what I was doing with her. “It’s the Creekside Diner. Don’t get excited.”
“Yes, but it’s thelocalCreekside Diner. We could walk there.”
It was over a mile, and late in the evening. I started the day with a run, spent time in the woodshop, and helped Aiden; my leg could not handle another long walk. “I open car doors for my wife like a proper gentleman.”
Her mouth popped open, and the moment’s levity disappeared. Oh, hell. A dumb impulse on my part didn’t make this real. She’ll leave, and I’ll return to my former life. Lilah described Fortune’s Creek as an enchantment, noting the efflorescence on the brick buildings or the faded paint on the gas station walls. It was her refuge, just as it became mine after theaccident.
“Shall we go?” I put a hand on the small of Lilah’s back, guiding her to my truck’s passenger door.
*****
Lilah leaned across the booth to avoid being overheard. “This isn’t what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“Sand and seashells and art prints with ocean waves on them.”
“You find those things at beaches. We live by a creek.”
“Okay, that’s true.”
“Do you remember Diane from the Gator Tale? Her sister, Josie, owns this place.”
“Oh...” Lilah nodded, as if that explanation made sense.
The diner occupied a nondescript building made with plain white stucco with a plainer white sign, while the inside assaulted the senses. A person first noticed the bright pink walls and yellow floor tiles before taking in the more minor details, such as the emerald green vinyl booths and the red Formica countertop.
“Also, everyone is staring at us.” Lilah checked out her hands and then her dress, searching for a non-existent flaw.
“No, they’re staring at you,” I corrected. Her lips tightened. “They’re curious about you and jealous of me.”
“Jealous of you, why?”
Because she was the most gorgeous woman in the entire damned town, and I was the one she’d go home with. “You should look in a mirror more often.”
“Thank you.” Lilah bit her lip at the compliment, causing adimple to appear. “Let’s order drinks.”
Pete came in, making a beeline for the counter before stopping. He noticed Lilah, saluted me, stepped toward the counter, changed his mind, and approached us.
“It looks like you took my advice,” Pete said.
Oh, hell.
I offered a quick introduction and waited until they shook hands. “I took your advice.”
Pete tapped my shoulders. “A lady enjoys being spoiled,” he said, with all the confidence of a bachelor’s wisdom.
Lilah’s eyes bulged while I winced.
“Shane has told me so much about you,” she said.
I hadn’t, but appreciated her save.
