Page 94 of My Lucky Charm

We walk out of the arena and into the parking lot, and I see Gray close the passenger side door of his rental car—the one I wrecked is still in the shop until Thursday.

As he walks around to the driver’s side of the car, he looks at me, then at Jimmy, and then he gets in his car and starts the engine.

“Eloise?”

I turn and find Jimmy, holding the door of his small black sports car open for me to get in, and all at once I realize I don’t want to go. I want to go home, put on my pajamas, and eat a whole pan of brownies.

“You know what, Jimmy?” I say. “I’m really tired, and I’ve got a big day in the city tomorrow. Can I get a rain check?”

His expression holds. “Yeah, maybe we can catch up after we get back from St. Louis.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I say, nodding. “I’m sorry.”

His eyes narrow as he closes the car door and takes a step toward me. He reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, letting his hand linger at the back of my neck. “I hope you’re not holding out for Hawke.”

“Of course not.” I feel my muscles tense.

“Good.” He smiles. “He made it pretty clear you guys weren’t a thing, but I just wanted to be sure.”

“Uh, yeah,” I say, my body flooded with disappointment. “I work for him. Totally not a thing.” But hearing that Gray said so still stings, even though I know it shouldn’t.

“He’s an idiot.” Jimmy smiles. “If you worked for me, I’m pretty sure I couldn’t keep things professional.” His thumb traces across my cheek, and I inch myself away.

I’m sure his smile charms most of the women he encounters. Heck, there was a time he would’ve charmed me. After all, Jimmy is a good-looking, professional athlete. But there’s no part of me that wants to “see where it goes” or to hope that I can change someone who is so clearly interested in me for one very specific reason. I’d be proud of that growth if it weren’t for the fact that the real reason I’m not interested in Jimmy has less to do with him or me and more to do with the man who just drove away.

I step away from him. “Look, Jimmy, you’re a great guy, but—”

He drops his hand. “You are holding out for Hawke.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m not. But I am focusing on work right now. I’m just getting my bearings here, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.”

“I get that,” he says. “But you know what they say about all work and no play . . .” He lifts his eyebrows as if to punctuate his point.

“Yeah, I do,” I say. “But for now, this is the way it needs to be.”

“Okay,” he says. “But if you change your mind, I hope I’m the first person you call.”

“Good luck in St. Louis.” I make my way to my car, which is parked in the next lot over, and drive solo back to Loveland. I have a full day tomorrow planned for Gray and Scarlett, and after tonight, it should be a lot easier to remember I’m just the tour guide for the day.

Not the love interest.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gray

Ican’t sleep.

That night, long after Scarlett goes to sleep, I’m lying in bed when my phone lights up.

A text from Eloise.

Unfortunate timing. I’ve been trying not to think about her.

I practically forced her to leave with Gump, like knowing she was out with him would be enough to cure me of whatever it is I’m dealing with.

It wasn’t.

Instead, the jealous streak I felt that night at the restaurant roared back to life.

---