Page 22 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

I snicker. “But I beat you to it.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Beat me again.”

I snort. “Call it a competitive streak.”

A familiar high-pitched tone rings out into the night. “Crap, that’s my phone.”

Jerry drops his hold on me. I step to my purse and scoop out my phone, the bright light momentarily stunning me.

Nat.

I accept the call.

“Where are you?” I don’t miss the grumble in her tone.How long have we been out here?“Did you fall in the toilet?”

I laugh and turn to Jerry, catching his gaze roving over my body. “I’m outside with”—a friend, no; we’ve surpassed that now thanks to my inability to hold back—“someone.”

“I’m sorry to do this to you, hon, but I’m not feeling great. I’m gonna head home. I can give you a lift on my way, or do you want to stay? It’s up to you.”

She’s not having a good run lately. “It’s okay, I’ll come back in. Make sure you make it home okay.”

“Alright. See you in a sec.”

“’kay, bye.” I disconnect the call.

“Everything okay?” Jerry worries at his lower lip.

“That’s my ride. I’ve got to go.”

Disappointment flashes across his gaze. “Bugger.”

I step closer to him and press a soft kiss to his lips. “Thanks for the dance.”

His arms wrap around me and hug my body to his warm chest. “What’re your plans for breakfast?”

I shrug and pull back to meet his eyes. “I have none.”

He mirrors my shrug. “I know a place.”

“What time?”

“I’ll grab you at eight. We can chat.”

I swallow hard and try to hide the uneasiness of that one word. Chat. That means bringing up the past. But that’s a part of moving on.

“Okay. I’ll see you at eight.” I press a swift kiss to his lips and rush back into the pub, Jerry’s woodsy scent lingering on my skin.

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