Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
The door swings open again, and I glance over as a tall man steps inside. He’s broad in the shoulders and fills out the expensive suit he’s wearing. His salt-and-pepper hair is perfectly in place, and confidence radiates off him in heavy waves.
It only takes a beat for recognition to slam into me.
Hugh Landry.
While Evelyn owns half of the Railers, Hugh owns the other part of the team.
Rina, one of our closest friends, also happens to be the Railers’ PR manager. She always has the inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes. Partly because it’s her job to keep the team out of trouble and partly because she’s nosy as hell. She’s confided more than once that the man has been a thorn in Evelyn’s side for over twenty years.
The older woman stiffens as her eyes narrow. Her easy disposition vanishes, replaced by razor-sharp tension. “Are you following me now?”
Hugh’s smile is smooth as silk but edged in steel. “Follow you? Why would I need to do that?” He steps farther inside the shop before glancing around the interior. “I was simply out stretching my legs and thought I’d grab a coffee before our eleven o’clock meeting.” Then, as if he can’t resist poking at her, he adds slyly, “Besides, why would I follow you when you woke up in my bed this morning?”
My jaw drops.
Um... Excuse me?
My brain stutters, scrambling to process what just came out of his mouth.
From everything I know about Evelyn, she can’t stand Hugh, and she doesn’t bother to hide it.
I must be missing something here. The Evelyn I know would rather set herself on fire than warm his sheets.
Then again, don’t they say the line between love and hate is a thin one?
Evelyn’s spine snaps straight as murder fills her eyes. “That’s not something we’re going to discuss right now,” she says through gritted teeth.
Holy shit.
Hugh’s grin deepens, as if he’s enjoying himself. “Oh, I don’t see the harm, darling. Everyone loves a good romance.”
Romance?
The word lands like a thunderclap in the middle of the bakery. Sloane’s eyebrows practically hit her hairline as she glances at me with wide eyes. Her lips twitch, as if she’s dying to fire off a million questions.
Can’t say I don’t feel the same.
I clear my throat, all the while trying not to stare. The tension that crackles between them is thick enough to choke on.
“Coffee?” I offer.
When Hugh turns that charming smile on me, my knees nearly weaken. He’s that good looking. I never thought I was into silver foxes, but…
We’ll just leave it at that.
“Please,” he says. “Black. No sugar.”
Evelyn releases a sound that’s more of a hiss. As she crosses her arms against her chest, the diamond bracelet at her wrist glints in the sunshine that pours in through the picture windows. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Our meeting isn’t for another hour.”
His fingers brush against mine as he takes the to-go cup, and a shiver shoots through me. It has nothing to do with the touch and everything to do with the way Evelyn looks ready to rip him to shreds with her bare teeth.
“Actually, no,” Hugh muses, taking a slow sip of his coffee. “It’s nice in here. Warm and cozy. Not to mention, it smells delicious.” His gaze slides to me, then to the display case. “Callie, I didn’t get a chance to talk to you the night of the event, but a few of our sponsors were impressed with Lakeshore Sweets. I wouldn’t be surprised if it leads to several business ventures moving forward.”
“Thank you, I really appreciate that.”
He flashes another dazzling smile in my direction that nearly knocks me on my ass. “If you need anything, just let me know. Once you’re part of the Railers family, you’re always part of it.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch Evelyn’s expression relax.
Marginally.
Or maybe it’s a trick of the light, because when I look again, she’s back to scowling.
Sloane sighs into her latte.
I have no idea how to respond. As much as I appreciate the sentiment, the Railers don’t feel like family. More like something to be avoided.
Then again, that does sound like family.
Evelyn steps closer. “You’ve pushed your luck enough for one day. I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Hugh leans in and murmurs, “And yet, you continue letting me do it.”
It feels like I’m watching a chess match where I don’t understand the rules. What I do know is that this isn’t romance.
Not really.
This is something far messier.
Darker.
Evelyn looks like she’s fighting for air in a room Hugh controls.
Sloane nudges me and whispers from the side of her mouth, “You’re seeing this, right? I’m not hallucinating?”
“No,” I whisper back. “You’re not.”
As Hugh raises his cup in a mock toast to Evelyn, I can’t shake the feeling that whatever’s going on between them is on the verge of exploding.