Page 14 of When Autumn Arrives

“Hi, Greer. How are you today?” I asked.

Thea followed me toward the counter, her gaze darting around as she took in the small space. There was a counter with an old school cash register, a class case of deli meats and cheeses, and two aisles of shelving that held various food items like breads and chips. To the left of the register was a rack that was piled high with homemade items all peach flavored. Jams, juices, ciders, salsa. We didn’t have peach farms out in the mountains, but Mary had them shipped in from one of her cousins, and she spent a handful of weekends out of the year making anything that she could sell from the fruit.

My favorite was whenever she had fresh peach cobbler. She usually paid me in deserts whenever she brought her fifteen-year-old truck in for maintenance. Being here, in the small town, would have been bad for my health if it weren’t for the guys keeping us on track with a vicarious work-out schedule.

“Great,” Greer chirped. “Nana was just saying this morning that it’s been a while since you’ve popped in.” Her gaze shot toward Thea, and she offered a polite smile. “I’m sorry. How rude of me. I’m Greer.” Her hand darted out to shake Thea’s.

Thea shook her head, turning toward Greer. A bright smile slid onto her face with ease. “Hi Greer. Nice to meet you, I’m Thea.” She took Greer’s hand, shaking it.

Greer smiled, then eyed the both of us suspiciously, as if trying to figure out if we were together. “My Nana mentioned there was a new girl in town. Where are you from, Thea?”

“North Carolina. Just moved here. This shop is lovely. I’m sorry I haven’t been down to check it out yet.”

“Oh, no worries.” Greer waved a hand in the air. “We were bound to run into each other at some point. Now we have. We have Bingo on the first Wednesdays of the month at the fire hall. We’d love to have you join us.”

Thea’s eyes widened with excitement. “Oh, I love Bingo. Is it competitive?”

Greer nodded eagerly. “Oh yes, ma’am. It changes every month. Sometimes we play for designer bags, sometimes it’s a cash pot, or a gift card to a fancy restaurant.”

Thea clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh, this sounds so fun! Wait, can I make a donation for a prize?” She pulled out her phone, leaning closer toward Greer, who did the same.

The girls chatted for a moment, exchanging numbers, and talking about the town’s gossip. Greer informed Thea that if she was going to date, she should stick to the next town over. The only eligible men in town were too old.

I tried not to let the glance shot my way, bruise my ego. I was too old. Age didn’t stop my dick from wanting Thea. Seeing her in her element, happy and chatting with a complete stranger, made me want her even more. My heart panged in my chest. None of that mattered when she was off limits. I refused to share, and I refused to take her from the guys. They’d already laid their claim on her, so it was best to keep my distance.

We ordered our subs, grabbed our drinks, then headed out to the patio, where a few tables were set up. Thea sat across from me at a round, two-seater table, and unwrapped the paper from her food. I grinned when she took a bite, leaving a speck of mayonnaise on the corner of her lip. Her tongue darted out, licking her face free of any leftover food.

I hesitated when her foot rested against mine. Was it an accident, or on purpose? Did she think I’d be interested in her throuple since I was friends with Hendrix and Parker? I needed to clarify that to her. It was a big fat no. I couldn’t lead her on.

I cleared my throat in preparation for being an asshole. “Thea…”

She took a sip of her drink, then turned to me. “What’s up?”

“I just…” I moved my foot away from hers. “You’re a wonderful woman. But I just wanted to make sure you knew that what Parker and Hendrix have with you? Well, I can’t be a part of that.”

Thea’s brows narrowed at the same time as her nose scrunched. She set her dinner down, then peered at me with curious eyes. “I’m so sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

I shook my head. “No. It’s not that it's just that…” I trailed off. Shit. Had I been reading her wrong? Or was I just letting my attraction for her run the show?

She raised a hand to stop me. “Listen. The truth is, I find you attractive. I think all four of you, yes Calder included despite his gruff attitude toward me, are insanely hot. But like I’ve told Hendrix and Parker. I’m not looking for anything serious. I have too much on my plate right now.”

I nodded when she took a breath.

“I never expected what happened between the boys and me to happen. I know that what we have isn’t something conventional and that most people expect monogamy, and that you and Calder most like are not interested in that. I’m so sorry. It was never my intention to hit on you.” She wrapped up the meal. “Please, forgive me. I can go finish this at home.”

“No,” I shook my head, reaching out to grab her wrist.

She stilled, and I think we both ignored the way our breathing picked up as we touched.

“Thea,” I started again. “I’m sorry. Let me start over. What I meant to say was that I’m struggling here.”

“You are?” she asked. She placed her other hand over mine. “Why?”

“Because.” I groaned. “I’ve wanted you since the second you caught me staring at that stupid vintage car. I’ve thought about how good you’d feel with your thighs wrapped around my head while I feasted on you. And I can’t act on that.”

She shuddered, her pupils dilating, making her already brown eyes now almost obsidian. “Why can’t you?”

“Because.” I reached out and ran a thumb along her pouty lips. “I don’t fucking share. And they got to you first.”

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