“Let me guess. That’s a Haven restaurant?”

“Yup. So it’s a no-go when you’re on the Bailey side.”

“And hanging out with you puts me on the Bailey side, I suppose.”

“The Stanleys have always been on the Bailey side. But yeah, hanging out with me does it too. Especially since we’re being seen together in public.” He lifted his hand and waved to two men standing outside the Copper Kettle. “Hey, Theo. Garrett.”

Both men scowled at him.

“Nice ride,” one of them said, his sarcasm clear as day.

“Thanks. Did you enjoy your donuts?”

“Fuck off, Gavin,” the other one said.

I took an involuntary step backward, although neither of them seemed interested in coming over here. They turned their backs on us and went into the diner.

“What was that about?”

Gavin gave an amused chuckle. “That was Garrett and Theo Haven. We sent them donuts filled with mayonnaise the other day. It’s the second time we’ve done it, but judging by the looks on their faces, they forgot to check before eating them.”

“Gross.”

“It’s a classic.”

We made our way up the sidewalk and Gavin pointed out businesses and places of interest. Like I’d told Ginny, there were two of most things. Some were near each other, like the two diners. Others had streets or blocks separating them, like the two beauty salons. There wasn’t any rhyme or reason to it. No dividing line that kept the two sides of the feud separate. Just places some people frequented, or didn’t frequent, according to their loyalty.

Gavin seemed to know just about everybody. He charmed his way through town with his easygoing smile. Waved to people across the street. Said hello to those who were close enough. We stopped for a moment so Doris Tilburn—a woman who looked to be in her sixties and owner of the Angel Cakes Bakery—could sign his cast.

A group of squirrels scattered outside Happy Paws, the pet supply store, when we approached. Gavin peeked in and waved to someone inside.

“You really do know everyone, don’t you?” I asked.

“More or less.” He jerked forward as he brought the scooter to a stop. “You sure you don’t want a ride?”

I’d have to sit on his lap, which was oddly tempting.

I settle onto his lap and drape my arms around his shoulders. He hooks an arm around my waist and his hand slides up to cup my breast while our mouths meet for a deep kiss—

Oh god, I was doing it again.

“You okay?” Gavin asked.

“Yes, fine. Sorry. This sweater is just a little warm. I thought it would be colder outside. Are you warm?”

He shrugged. “I’m comfortable.”

“It’s probably just me.”

He smiled, and for a half a second, I almost did climb in his lap.

“Shall we continue?” he asked.

“Yes. Lead the way.”

We kept walking and the large pinup girl statue outside the Dame and Dapper Barber Shop caught my eye. She was dressed in a skimpy red dress and fishnet stockings, and she had a large handlebar mustache and pointy beard.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing to her.

“Oh, that’s Lola. Haven’t you ever seen Lola?”

“I’ve seen her, although I didn’t know she had a name. But why does she have facial hair?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

The way he said that made me think he knew everything about it.

A man in a white apron stood in the Dame and Dapper doorway. Crossing his arms, he leveled a glare at Gavin.

“Hey, Bruce,” Gavin said. “I like Lola’s new look.”

He narrowed his eyes and shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Gavin chuckled as we moved past.

A little farther down the street, we came to the Zany Zebra, a burger and ice cream place painted with white and black zebra stripes. For the first time since I’d gotten into town, a strong childhood memory came back to me.

“I think Dad used to take me for ice cream there,” I said. “It was back when he had an old convertible. We used to go for long drives and I think we’d come through town and get ice cream.”

“That’s awesome,” Gavin said. “They have great ice cream. We can get some if you want.”

“No, I’m good. But thanks.”

We kept going and Gavin stopped again, right across from the Caboose.

“And here’s where an unsuspecting firefighter, fresh off the front lines of a wildfire, was tragically injured.”

“Because he stepped into the street without looking both ways.”

He grinned. “Touché. Although my story’s funnier.”

“What’s funny about being hit by a car and breaking your leg?”

“What isn’t funny about it? I survived a fire shelter deployment only to get hit by a car. It’s hilarious.”

I laughed softly. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I am, actually.”

He gestured to the Caboose. “Should we go grab some food?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

He grinned again and that smile was not helping ease the tingling between my legs.

The scooter beeped as he backed up and maneuvered it so he could cross the street. “I think I’m getting better at this. Okay, you see me looking both ways this time, right?” He looked right, then left, then right again.

“Yes, I think we’re clear.”

“Can’t be too careful. There are some crazy drivers around here.” He glanced at me. “Although I guess I’m safe, since you’re here with me and not behind the wheel.”

I laughed again and it occurred to me I hadn’t laughed this much in… I didn’t know how long. After several years dating a man who almost never smiled, let alone laughed, the contrast was striking.

“Very funny,” I said wryly.

“I’m just messing with you.” He winked at me again. “Let’s go.

10

Gavin

Getting to a table in the Caboose wasn’t easy. Maybe I should have gone back for my crutches first. I left the scooter in a parking spot and managed to lean on things and hop my way inside, then to a booth. I’d figure out how to get back outside when the time came. No big deal.

Skylar sat across from me and smoothed down her hair. It was hard not to stare at her. She had delicate features—high cheekbones, cute nose, a sweet mouth. The Stanleys had Native blood in their family, like we did, and it showed in Skylar, especially in her deep brown eyes, olive skin, and straight dark hair.

She was really fucking pretty.

Smelled good too. Every time she got close, I caught her scent. It was sensual and warm. Made me feel a bit like I’d taken a long swallow of whiskey.

But that was the kind of thinking that was going to get me in trouble.

It wasn’t just that I’d told Chief I’d stick to being friends—that I wouldn’t sneak a cookie from the cookie jar. Skylar had her defenses up, big time. I had a feeling she’d been hurt, and maybe that was why she was here in town. As fun as it would have been to see what it took to get past those defenses, I was strangely reluctant to go there.