Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“Yes.” Damn. She felt a bit sorry for whatever woman or man he ended up with. She didn’t know what his preference was, only that he would be a force to be reckoned with.
“Good. You got something to eat?”
“I ate before I came.”
With a grunt, he turned and left the room.
She glanced down at the minor burn on her hand that she’d managed to keep hidden from him by turning her hand into the cup. Hadn’t helped the throbbing pain, but she didn’t want his help or touch.
There was only one person she wanted that from . . . and he likely hated her guts.
13
Tanner was bored out of his mind.
It wasn’t Carlie’s fault. She was funny. Full of energy. Gorgeous and engaging.
But she wasn’t a sweet redhead. With big blue eyes. And curves that didn’t stop.
Fuck.
Was he ever going to get over her?
Raid leaned into him as the girls disappeared to the bathroom. “Dude, you need to at least be friendly.”
Fuck. “That bad, huh?”
Raid sighed, shaking his head. “You’re not being rude, just quiet. What’s the problem?”
“You know what the problem is.”
“That girl ghosted you. How long are you going to pine after her? Look, Carlie knows this is just a friendly date, but you have to at least talk to her.”
Guilt filled him. He wasn’t being fair to Carlie. The four of them had been out to dinner and now they’d grabbed a table at Dirty Delights. It was pumping tonight.
Generally, he enjoyed being here.
“You’re right.” He made an effort to smile at Carlie as she reappeared. Getting up, he drew out her chair.
She laughed. “Such a gentleman. I think all those rumors about those Malone boys must have been exaggerated.”
“They weren’t,” Tanner said with a grin. “Tell me what you’ve been doing this week.”
Raid and Hannah were staring at each other with lovey-dovey eyes. It was kind of sickening, so he moved closer to Carlie as a distraction.
Reaching out, he tucked a piece of hair behind Carlie’s ear. She smiled up at him.
Someone jostled her and she slid into him as he turned to glower at the asshole who had already walked past. He helped her sit up.
“Are you all right?”
She smiled up at him, her hand still on his thigh where she’d put it to keep her balance. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“What a jerk. Must be from out of town.”
The sound of glass smashing had everyone’s attention turning. His gut instantly soured as he spotted the waitress who’d just dropped a glass on the floor.
It couldn’t be . . .
His breath caught as he studied the pale woman. She was thinner than his Lilac. In fact, she was way too thin—to the point of being unhealthy. Her skin was pale. Her hair, which she’d drawn back from her face into a ponytail, was lank and dull.
But still . . . it was his Lilac.
What the fuck was she doing here? How did she come to be working here?
He watched as she seemed to come back into her head and looked down with a gasp. Then she kneeled right in the fucking glass and started to pick up pieces.
What the hell was she doing?
Sliding from the booth, he stood.
“What’s going on? Tanner?” Carlie asked.
“Fuck, is that Lilac?” Raid said with shock as Tanner rushed toward her.
Around her, people were trying to talk to her, to convince her to put the glass down. She was going to fucking cut herself.
“Lilac?” Devon said, reaching her at the same time Tanner did.
Tanner shot the other guy a dirty look, not liking the way he said her name.
Yeah, he knew he was being irrational. But he couldn’t help it.
Lilac was his.
Except . . . she left you. Ghosted you. She didn’t want you.
So, if she didn’t want him, what was she doing here? Why come to his town?
Was it for him?
“Lilac, drop the glass, honey. You’re going to hurt yourself,” Devon told her.
“Don’t call her honey,” Tanner said in a low growl.
Devon gave him a narrow-eyed look.
“I’ve got to clean it all up,” Lilac said, sounding almost frantic as she grabbed another piece of glass. She hissed and worry flooded Tanner as he saw a drop of blood land on the floor.
“Fuck. Lilac, release the glass. Right now.”
Lilac froze, her gaze rising to his.
“Lilac,” he said warningly, putting as much command as possible into his voice.
She placed the glass down, glancing around. Her face grew red, and he swore he could see her eyes glistening with tears.
“I’m so sorry, Devon. I’ll clean it up. I just . . . need . . . a minute.”
“I’ve got this. Go clean up,” Devon reassured her.
“Wait right there, Lilac.” Tanner got to his feet, but by that time she was pushing her way across the room.
Fucking hell.
This girl had to stop running from him.
“Tanner? Everything okay?”