After the sting of West’s rejection Wednesday night, not to mention the painful case of lady blueballs he’d left her with, she’d given him a wide berth. Unsurprisingly, he’d done the same, except when he’d knocked on his floor around one this morning, interrupted her insomnia-powered songwriting session, and growled, “Get some rest, Roxy.” Otherwise, between the two of them, they’d managed to steer clear of each other for the last three days. No small feat in a town the size of Bluelick, especially considering they slept under the same roof. That level of avoidance took cooperation. They’d finally bonded over a mutual desire not to clap eyes on each other. Hello, irony.
When she’d agreed to work the reception, she hadn’t given any thought to the likelihood of West being on the guest list, but the festivities took up a big, busy banquet room, and he wasn’t seated in her section, so their unspoken pact continued. True, she’d caught herself sneaking glances toward his table once or twice, but she’d lassoed her roving gaze every time. Maybe he’d attended solo, or maybe he’d brought a date. Either way, it was none of her business. He could see whomever he pleased. Bang the cocktail waitress like a kick-drum for all she cared.
Mrs. Whelan cruised in, cursing under her breath.
“What’s wrong?” She continued unloading dishes from her tray as she spoke.
“I’m going to kill Kenny.”
Now she paused. “Uh-oh. What’d he do?”
“He agreed to DJ the reception, but his car quit on the way back from God knows where with Dobie, and he’s telling me it will be at least an hour until he arrives.”
“Oops.”
“An hour!” She looked heavenward. “I’m covering the cost of the host bar during the delay, and you can bet your ass I’m taking that out of Kenny’s fee, but half the attendees are going to be in the bag by the time Lou Ann and Junior have their first dance. I include Junior in that half.”
“Maybe now’s a good time for coffee and cake?”
The older woman sighed and shook her head. “I tried to talk Lou Ann into going ahead and cutting the cake just to keep things moving, but she refused on the grounds people will leave once the cake is served.”
“Hmm. I guess she’s got a point.”
“I know she does, but she’s not going to like how the rest of the reception plays out if we don’t give people something to do besides sit around drinking.”
“If I had my guitar, I could play them a first dance. Maybe draw things out and take a few requests.”
Kenny’s mom blinked at her. “Are you serious?”
“I don’t know what song they chose, but I have a pretty good ear. As long as I’m familiar with the tune, I can jam it out.”
“How long would it take you to drive home and get your guitar?”
“Walk home. I don’t have a car. But it’s not far—”
“No, no. Time is of the essence. Grab your things and wait out front. I’ll meet you there after I get one of the other servers to cover your section.”
“Sure thing.” She racked her empty tray, swung by the break room to retrieve her purse, and then headed across the lobby. Ed Pinkerton from the hardware store sat on one of the bent willow rockers stationed on the generous covered porch, having a smoke with two other middle-aged men she recognized from the diner. They looked her way when she stepped outside.
“Hey, Roxy. Break time?”
She strolled over. “Sort of.”
Ed offered his pack to her.
“No thanks. I’m just waiting for Mrs. Whelan. She’s giving me a ride home to get my…”
Three sets of eyes went round, and Ed crossed himself.
“…guitar. What?”
“You’re voluntarily getting in the car with Sarah Whelan?”
“Y-yes. Why?”
“No reason.” Ed rocked harder, making jerking, whiplash motions. The other two men nodded. One said, “Buckle up, girl.”
Awesome. “You know, maybe I will have just one quick puff.” Before I die.
Ed held his pack out again. She slid a cigarette free and then leaned in so he could light her up. Straightening, she took a long, grateful puff.
The door opened behind her, inspiring another greedy drag before she turned to face her fate.
West stood there, keys in hand, wearing the shit out of a midnight suit and looking even more formidable and—damn her twisted streak—irresistible up close. Every cell in her body snapped to attention when his eyes narrowed on the cigarette.
“We talked about this, Reckless.”
Chapter Nine
Roxy stared up at him with huge eyes as he slid the cigarette from between her pouting lips. When it popped free, she shivered. Just enough for him to pick up on the brief, unintentional show of susceptibility. Whether caused by him stimulating sensitive nerve endings in her lips, or by the tension between them, he couldn’t guess, but the small reaction proved one very big fact: his effort to let the attraction between them fade was a colossal failure. He wanted her more than ever. And there was no hiding it. Even Ed and his cronies could sense the undercurrents, judging by the coughs and throat clearing going on.
“West,” one of them said, by way of greeting.
“Gentlemen.” He inclined his head without taking his eyes off her. “Sorry to cut things short, but I have to borrow Roxy.”
That unfroze her. She took a step back and shook her head. “I’m not a library book just sitting around for you to take off the shelf. I’m waiting for Sarah.”
He stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray by the door. “Sarah asked me to run you
