Sand Angel Page 0,33

pulled up next to her as she was removing her helmet. “You’ve gotta be more careful.”

She ignored him. He didn’t know what speed was really about. With a twist, she removed her key, strolled to the restaurant’s door and pushed it open. Sand littered the floor. The small, gritty particles crunched beneath her boots. The place was packed. The noise level was boisterous. There was only one table unoccupied as she walked over and sat down.

A waitress plopped a glass of water and a menu in front of her and walked away without a word. Friendly little place. Perhaps I’ll trip her on her next round.

“What’s got your panties in a twist?” The chair scraped across the floor as Josh pulled it out and sat.

“No twist here.” She peered over the menu. “Are you following me?”

“Uhhh…” He grabbed her glass of water and drank slowly. “We’re supposed to spend the weekend together. Remember?”

She set the menu down and scanned his handsome features. “You’re a lousy liar.” Zoë was about to lay down the law when the waitress waltzed over to the table. The biggest, brightest smile was plastered on her face as she set another glass of water on the table. Then she leaned over so Josh had a view right down her shirt as she handed him a menu.

“Are you ready to order?” she purred.

Zoë wanted to poke the woman with her fork.

Josh shuttered his dreamy brown eyes. “Zoë?” he asked, without moving his gaze from the woman’s busty cleavage.

“Yeah. Hamburger, no catsup. Fries. Coke.”

“And you?” the waitress asked. Somehow it came out sounding like a proposition, but what the hell. What Josh did with his life was his business. Still, it didn’t hurt to give him some of his own medicine.

“What happened to the redhead you were with last night?” Zoë asked nonchalantly.

“A Coke will do,” Josh muttered, and the disappointed waitress moved away from the table. He shot Zoë a heated glare. “Was that necessary?”

She shrugged. “Not any more than your interference in my life.”

“I’ve never interfered in your business.” His face went blank like it always did when he was lying to her. He could pull the wool over anyone’s eyes but hers. She knew him too well.

She swallowed hard, steeling herself. “I know you know about the counseling—that Dave called you. I know you planned this whole thing with Drew just to keep your crazy little sister from killing herself.” Her fingers curled into fists. She blinked away the tears that threatened. She wouldn’t cry. Her chin inched higher as if she could hold the emotion back with the rise. “How could you? Don’t you have any faith in me?” But she couldn’t hide the pain in her voice, nor stop her chin from shaking.

He reached across the table to cup her hand and she jerked away. “Zoë, I didn’t plan on Drew coming. But when he showed up at the house? Well, I just thought—”

She pushed from the table. “I’ve lost my appetite.” After reaching in her boot, she laid a ten down on the table.

“Zoë, you have to eat.”

“No, Josh, I have to ride. And if you follow me—” she looked him straight in the eyes, “—I’ll run you off the road.” She spun around, her heavy boots slapping the floor as she jerked the door wide and disappeared.

Drew pushed open the restaurant door and looked around the small diner. Josh’s quad was parked outside, but Zoë’s bike was nowhere to be found. Noise rose as he scanned the room. In the corner Josh sat, alone, with his shoulders hunched. If his deflated posture was any indication, things weren’t looking good.

Drew crossed the room. “Where is she?” He pulled out a chair and sat. The hairs on his neck took the opportunity to make themselves known as they rose in warning.

Josh looked up from the table. “Gone.”

Drew leaned slightly forward. His brows pulled together. “What do you mean, gone?”

Josh shook his head. “She must have heard us talking this morning. Damn woman.” His friend’s long face showed his concern. “Hell, Drew, she even thinks I set it up for you to seduce her.” He brushed a weary hand through his hair.

“Fuck.” Drew got to his feet. “Why didn’t you follow her?”

The dubious laugh Josh released put Drew further on edge. “She threatened to run me off the road. You should have seen her face. She’d do it too—and enjoy every minute.”

Drew pinched the bridge of his nose. The damn dust in this place