Page 9 of Falling for the Sheriff
Alice’s smile is contagious, especially when it stretches across her lips.
“You look…” Biting on her lip, she squirms against her seat. “You look pretty good.”
That means all of the concerned thoughts I felt earlier were pointless.
Looking around the bar, I motion over toward the bartenders to get our order taken. My stomach is clenching from hunger, but I’m not entirely sure food will be enough to sate it.
Kinsley recognizes me from my weekly appearances as she’s the one to come our way, and her smile reaches her eyes as she sets down some paper menus.
“Evening, Sheriff. A little late seeing you here.” Like she just now realizes Alice is watching her, her brows lift in surprise. “With a date, nonetheless.”
While my ears go warm, Alice scans over their menu like she hasn’t ever eaten here. Maybe that’s why Kinsley doesn’t recognize her. There’s the chance that she only came here before to succeed at picking someone up. Talk about beginner’s luck.
“Well, happy to always have you. Do you need a second to look?” She pulls out her notepad, happy to jot down something.
Alice shakes her head, already knowing what she wants. Tapping her finger along the menu, she orders onion rings and fries doused with enough bacon and cheese to drown someone. Ending her order with a drink, she chews on her lip as she debates picking something else.
“Order whatever you want, I am buying.” Beneath the table, I nudge her shoe.
Looking like she wants to argue, I interrupt by adding on a few extra fried goods for myself.
Even if I can’t finish off everything, we can work together.
She dots down our order and disappears, promising to have our food in record time. All too quickly, she returns with our drinks before disappearing again in a blur.
Every time I see the woman, she is always on the move.
Alone once more, I watch as Alice carefully sips at her drink. Not rushing to speak, I take the opportunity to lead.
“I guess I have to ask the important questions first.” Tilting my head, my eyes fall back to her stomach. I can’t stop looking, can’t stop this stirring that’s happening in my chest at every thought that reminds me that this is a result of what we’ve done. “Do you know the gender? Any names picked out?”
Another soft laugh leaves her. I can’t hold back when it comes to my eagerness. I’m going to be a father.
“The blood test says a boy.” Playing with the straw in her cup, she pinches the plastic. “I’m thinking, Luke, if the test is correct.”
A boy. I have to slip my hands beneath the table so I can grip my knees to contain my excitement. Don’t want to scare her and make her think I’m going to force my way into her life.
“Luke. Yeah, that’s a good name.” Offering a smile, I slowly calm. “How do you feel about everything?”
She doesn’t answer at first, like she’s really thinking about it. Soon, she sighs. “I don’t regret anything. Fate’s just being a little cruel, sending you back into my life. If I’m not careful, I’ll want you to—”
Stopping herself like she’s about to reveal something big, I catch myself clinging to her words. Unfortunately, the flush on her cheeks says she’s not going to be finishing her sentence any time soon.
Returning my hands to the table, I reach out to touch her. Like an addiction has already formed, I run my fingers against her knuckles, and she’s automatically releasing her glass so I can cradle the back of her hands.
“Alice.” Saying her name still feels unreal. “I know you got far more than what you asked for. But I need you to know…not a day has passed without you crossing my mind. I’ve regretted never getting your information.”
Do I tell her that I combed through the files at work in hopes of finding something, but of course, the woman is an angel who doesn’t know what being in trouble is? That may be too much.
The pink on her cheeks turns darker at my admittance. “I…” She turns her hands so she can squeeze my fingers. “I’ve thought about you, too.”
Suddenly, this feels real.
Before I can even form the question—before I can ask what beautiful, secret thoughts are running through her mind—Kinsley is back, arms laden with enough plates to feed a small army. She beams, unbothered, as she starts arranging the feast between us.
But my attention snags on the guy behind her, one of the kitchen staff, balancing another tray. He gives me a quick, respectful nod, but then his gaze slides past me. Lands on Alice.
Something ugly and hot twists in my gut.
