Page 11 of All You Want
“He wants me to follow the rules, that’s all.” I tamp down the urge to study the pictures to see what expression Todd had while taking selfies with me.
Linx’s perceptive gaze locks on to me a moment longer. “Is everything all right?”
I take a deep breath, realizing I have to get her off the trail. “I’m fine. After Jessie left, Todd took me home on his motorcycle, and he told me in no uncertain terms that he’s not interested in anything more than friendship.”
“He said that to you directly?” Linx clasps my hand with her bandaged ones. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m glad he told me.” I emit a dry chuckle. “Means I don’t have to keep wasting time sending food to him at the station.”
“Did he give you a reason?”
Sometimes, I wish she weren’t such a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out every detail, but I guess that’s what friends are for. Although, being Todd’s sister means she has a conflict of interest.
“His reasons are private,” I declare in a self-righteous or annoyingly unctuous tone. “Far be it from me to speculate.”
“Todd gets easily discouraged,” Linx declares. “Maybe if you didn’t challenge him so much on the town’s direction, he wouldn’t be so reticent. I hear you’re always shouting him down at the city council meetings.”
Yep, conflict of interest.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing you tell me to back off.” I gape at her, and she at least has the grace to look guilty. “Does he complain to you about my attitude?”
“No, he never does that. I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you two. But honestly, if he’s that reluctant and hard to get, then I hate to tell you—he’s probably not into you and only being polite to you because you’re my friend.”
Her stating what I feared would have crushed me only a day ago. But now that we have this secret thing going, I dismiss it. “Eh, I’m okay. I’m a big girl, and you tried to help. At least I can put it all behind me now.”
She looks me straight in the eye. “I must have read everything wrong, or maybe it’s because you’re my bestie and I wanted you to be part of the family.”
“Yeah, well, we can still be sisters even without me marrying one of your brothers.” I slurp down the cooled coffee. “I’m honestly tired of chasing after him with not a hint of encouragement. In fact, I went by the station to drop off my event application and didn’t even look inside.”
“I’m sorry.” She pats my hand again and sighs. Her large eyes droop, and she flattens her lips with disappointment. “Guess it frees you up for other opportunities.”
“It’s for the best.” I buck up a smile. “You’ll see.”
She returns a tentative smile. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Maybe he wasn’t meant to be.”
“No, probably not, but don’t say anything to him, okay? I’m embarrassed enough already.”
She nods, then looks across the diner. “Don’t look now, but Todd just came through the door. What do you want me to do?”
“Act normal, like I didn’t tell you anything.” I open my purse and reapply lipstick, checking that I don’t have any food on my face.
The big man ambles toward us with a grin on his face. “Hey, ladies. Mind if I sit here?”
Linx narrows her eyes. “Why so weird? I’m your sister, remember?”
“Oh, fine.” He slides into the booth next to her and looks at me. “Tami. Good day.”
“Good day to you, too, Sheriff. What’s up?”
“Before I approve your permit for Spooky Fest, I’ll need your backing at the city council when I request funds for additional security and traffic personnel.”
“Got to spend money to make money.” I flutter my eyelids and give him a confident smile.
“The city has too many debts, and we’re still in the hole for the fire investigation and cleanup after Gold Rush Week. I do wish you’d consider the ramifications before bringing another mob into town.”
“They’ll be here spending money,” I assure him. “I’m owing more property taxes too with all the improvements I’m doing. I took an old abandoned building and am turning it into a destination vacation spot. Cait’s thinking of opening a dance hall and theatre where the old one burned down, and my sorority is getting investors together to start a Gold Rush Village shopping district.”
I can tell he’s zoning out, because he stares at the menu like he’s never seen it before, and we all know nothing ever changes. Joey even dropped the veggie burgers when a group of vegans accused her of cross-contamination with meat products. Of course, it leaves an opening for a future vegetarian restaurant, but that will have to wait for the planned housing development the neighboring ashram is proposing.
