Page 19 of Fighting Words

I feel the heat of Nate’s gaze, but I don’t dare look at him. I know I’m already blushing.

I need to reroute the conversation immediately.

“Are you two friends?” I ask, hoping I sound chipper rather than jealous.

The question seems innocent, but it’s not. I’m hungry for more information on Nate. He’s so buttoned-up and quiet, austere and mysterious. I’m not going to pass up the opportunity to glean more information about him by any means possible.

“Friends.” She laughs coyly, and I have my answer. These two have definitely slept together. I study her with fresh eyes. She’s about my height and looks to be closer to Nate’s age, early thirties. Her hair is a rich dark brown, and her face is gentle and friendly. “The only two Americans in Sedbergh. We have to stick together,” she continues when Nate fails to.

“Alice runs Main Street Books,” Nate supplies with a neutral tone.

“Oh how cool! I saw a few of the book shops on our way into town. I’ll have to stop in. How long have you owned it?”

“Took it over when my grandmother retired a few years ago.” Her gaze is on me for only a moment before she’s focused on Nate again. “Right around when Nathaniel moved to town. It was nice having a friend, someone else who was new.”

She looks up at him with shining eyes, and there’s no doubt she’s completely head over heels for him.

I look up at him out of the corner of my eyes, but his focus is down on the grocery bags. He adjusts their weight in his hands and smiles tightly.

“It was good to see you, Alice,” he says curtly then nods for me to follow.

“Nice to meet you,” I tell her before hurrying after Nate.

Once the groceries are loaded and we’re clicking our seatbelts into place, I just can’t help myself.

“She’s really pretty,” I say with an air of indifference.

“She is,” he says like it’s a matter of fact, focusing on his rearview mirror. He has his hand on my headrest, his body turned halfway. His scent fills the car, soap or aftershave or whatever it is. I like it.

When he succeeds in backing up, he moves his hand from my seat, accidentally brushing my arm.

Butterflies. A thousand of them.

I grab ahold of the elbow he touched like it’s injured and then I trudge on. “Any interest there? Must get lonely out here in the winter months. She seemed to like you.”

“Why are you asking?”

His tone is brusque, borderline rude.

I shake my head. “No reason. Just…making conversation.”

“Did you hear from your family?” he asks, redirecting the conversation.

I hadn’t even thought to look while I was grocery shopping. I didn’t feel my phone buzz, but it was in the pocket of my puffer jacket the whole time.

Sure enough, when I pull it out, I see Andrew has texted me back.

Andrew: Wow. You’re kidding. How long will you be there?

I feel bad for not responding to him sooner.

Summer: I’m not sure, actually. I’ll try to reach out when I can. I’m about to lose cell service again.

“Boyfriend?” Nate asks, tightening his hold on the steering wheel for a moment before relaxing and shifting his hands. Finally, he drops one hand altogether.

I study him, wondering…

“Why are you asking?”

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