Page 20 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

“Fine by me.” Her stomach was growling and she wasn’t about to throw out her pride simply because in his mind he was being a gentleman. “Will they let Heidi in?”

“I graduated with the owner. They’ll let her in,” he assured her. “I’ll come around and get you. Don’t argue. This is a busy street. You hold on to Heidi, and I’ll hold on to you.”

She wasn’t going to argue, but he didn’t even give her the chance as he hopped out of the vehicle and shut the door.

“Well, guess that solves that issue,” she muttered to Heidi, who simply breathed heavy and hot against Cora’s cheek.

The back door opened first and Braxton let Heidi out. Then Cora’s door opened and he slid his hand into hers. Would there be a jolt every single time he touched her? Mercy, she hoped so. She liked knowing that someone could cause emotions in her. At least now she knew she was normal.

She was twenty-four years old and had never been jolted by a man before . . . her would-be fiancé included.

Braxton led her across the street. Cars whirring by, people chatting and laughing, and one person calling to Braxton in a friendly hello all greeted her as they walked together.

His entire body froze, his hand gripped her just a touch tighter, enough to alert her that something was wrong.

“What is it?” she asked quietly, not knowing what was going on since he hadn’t said a word.

“Good afternoon, Braxton.”

The unfamiliar voice had Braxton shifting his body and she knew he stood slightly in front of her now, still holding on to her hand. She didn’t have to ask again, she knew this man wasn’t one of Braxton’s friends.

“Rand.” The cold greeting intrigued Cora. What had this man done to Braxton?

“And who is this lovely lady you’re with?” the man asked.

“Cora Buchanan,” she offered with a smile. “We were just heading in to have some lunch. If you’ll excuse us.”

“Oh, but I haven’t had the chance to properly introduce myself,” he went on. “I’m Rand Stevens, the mayor of Haven. I’m so glad you’re visiting our little town.”

Braxton’s rigid shoulder brushed against hers. She didn’t need any more encouragement to try to break away from this guy. His cocky attitude shone through in his tone and if Braxton was irritated by the guy, that’s all Cora needed to know.

“I’m actually living here now, so I’m sure we’ll run into each other again,” she told him, attempting to brush him off but not be terribly rude until she could form her own opinion. “Have a good day.”

She urged Heidi along, tugging on Braxton’s hand in the process. “I have no idea if I’m heading the right way,” she muttered once they’d taken a few steps. “I just wanted away from that man.”

“Why? Did he steal your fiancée, too?”

Cora stopped for a second before she started again. “I’m sorry, Braxton. I could tell he wasn’t your favorite person, but I had no idea why. I just wanted to get away. You were so stiff and . . . cold.”

“He has that effect on me,” Braxton replied, a bitter tone she hadn’t heard before lacing his voice. “And you are going in the right direction. You must’ve smelled the grease from the world’s best burgers.”

Cora laughed. “That must be it.”

As soon as they were inside and seated, Braxton started telling Cora the best items from the menu. He wanted to forget the incident outside and enjoy his lunch.

With two menus in hand, the waitress came up to Braxton’s side, eyed Cora, and quickly dismissed her. Her eyes ran over Braxton in a look he recognized all too well. At one time he may have been interested, but not today.

“Hey, sugar. What can I get ya?”

“You trust me to order what I think you’ll love?” he asked.

Cora nodded and he was warmed by the idea that she wanted to express her independence in everything, but she didn’t mind letting go at times . . . with him.

As Braxton placed their orders, he didn’t miss how the waitress was completely ignoring Cora and purposely eyeing him like he was the lunch special.

She bent down, ripped off a sheet from her pad, and laid it facedown on the table. Quickly giving him a wink before sauntering off.

Braxton groaned. Coming here was a mistake. Even though he wasn’t on a date, the fact that he was with a woman made this situation awkward. Though Cora didn’t see anything that happened, Braxton didn’t like the fact the waitress ignored her, then blatantly passed her number.

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