Page 70 of Willow

“This is our girl, Lo.” He gestures at the man in front of me and the other one, who’s still manning the grill. “That’s Santiago, and that guy over there is Kane.”

Kane gives me a chin nod, still concentrating on the food. Santiago extends his hand, so I mimic the gesture. His fingers collapse around mine, and he brings my hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it. I smile.

“It’s a pleasure, Lo.” Santiago doesn’t drop my hand. “What are you doing, hanging around these two derelicts?”

Wyatt rolls his eyes and tugs my hand free. “She’s a city girl, soon to be local.”

“Back off, Santi. This one’s already been claimed,” Benji states.

My eyes narrow in warning when I look over at my blond friend.

“Who got there first?” Santiago asks him. “You?”

“I wish,” Benji scoffs. “This is Z’s woman.”

I frown.

Benji meets my challenging stare head-on, refusing to back down. He was there the other night. He should know how wrong that statement is. But I stay silent. I have no idea what to say anyway.

“Where is Zane?” Santiago glances out the glass windows, looking for the snowboarding king.

“He’s working this morning,” Benji says.

And I wonder if he’s telling the truth or if he’s just covering for his buddy.

“Well, have a seat, my friends.” Santiago looks at me. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Coke,” I answer.

“Is Pepsi okay?”

“Even better,” I say.

“Make that three,” Wyatt adds.

Wyatt, Benji, and I take seats around the counter with me sitting in the middle. Santiago makes our drinks, hands them over, and then goes back to work, assembling orders. I sip on my Pepsi.

“So, tell us about the job,” Wyatt says while I scan the menu mounted on the chalkboard behind the counter.

“I felt good about it,” I start. “It’s owned by two physicians, but you probably already knew that.”

Benji nods. “I’ve been a patient there before. Many times. Dr. Robinson sewed me up.” He starts pointing out a few scars he’s collected along the way.

“I met with both doctors and Mary.”

“She runs the clinic,” Wyatt supplies.

I smirk. “I forget sometimes that I’m in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else.”

“When do you start?” Wyatt asks.

“I haven’t been offered the job yet. Plus, I’d have to think about it before accepting the position. My home is in the city. My parents …”

“They’d be crazy not to hire you, Lo,” Benji adds.

“Thanks, Benji.” I squeeze his arm.

“You can sell your house,” Wyatt says, like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “Do you snowboard?”

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