didn’t actually meet the other day,” he said as I took my seat. “I’m Gavin.”
Name. Don’t tell him he’s hot. Just tell him your name. “I’m Skylar. Um, Skylar Stanley.”
My voice was so little and timid. I hated sounding like that, but the obvious shyness in my tone only made my instinct to hide stronger.
“Nice to officially meet you.” He flashed a smile, the full force of those dimples and white teeth shining directly on me. It was like looking at the sun.
God, he was gorgeous.
“I’m so sorry about hitting you. I can’t believe I broke your leg. Does it hurt a lot?”
“No, it’s not bad.”
“I swear, I looked. I wasn’t texting or anything. I looked and turned the corner and then bam, there you were.”
He reached over and laid his hand on top of mine. The sudden contact felt like another bolt of electricity. A blush hit my cheeks and the warmth of his skin on mine was somehow soothing and arousing at the same time.
His eyes flicked from my face, down to our hands, then back again. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but closed it again and quickly took his hand away.
“I’m really fine,” he said, and I saw him flex his hand under the table. “I’m the dumbass who walked into the road.”
“I guess that’s why adults teach kids to look both ways before crossing the street.” I pinched my lips closed. I’d meant that as a joke, but maybe it had just sounded rude. “Sorry, sometimes I’m bad at verbal conversations.”
Especially when I’m struck stupid by a hot firefighter.
Which had literally never happened to me before.
“Well, at least you’re a good driver.” He winked, the corners of his lips lifting.
I laughed, feeling a little of my anxiety dissipate.
“So…” He rubbed his hands up and down his thighs. “Aside from running into clueless pedestrians, what are you doing back in Tilikum?”
He had no idea what a loaded question that was. But I wasn’t about to give my life story to someone I’d just met. “I just needed a change of scenery.”
“Good choice. We have great scenery.”
The way he stared directly at me when he said that, I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be flirtatious—like I was great scenery—or if he was talking about the objectively beautiful scenery outside.
I tucked my hair behind my ear, trying not to let my brain get too sidetracked. “Yeah, it’s really beautiful here.”
“You’re a writer or something like that, right?”
“I am. How’d you know?”
“Your dad is my boss, and he talks about you. What kind of stuff do you write?”
His ability to effortlessly keep the conversation going was such a relief. I never seemed to know what to say next, but answering questions was easy. “I write suspense novels, usually about serial killers, although one of my biggest sellers is technically a thriller.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Between thriller and suspense?”
“Yeah.”
“There’s not necessarily a standard definition, but most agents and editors consider a novel a thriller if the protagonist is in danger from the outset and the reader has basically the same information as he or she does. A suspense usually means the reader knows things the protagonist doesn’t. So the reader waits with suspense to see if the protagonist discovers the danger in time.” I shut my mouth again. “Sorry, that was probably more information than you wanted.”
“Not at all.” He leaned forward and rested his forearm on the table. “That’s awesome. I don’t think I could sit still long enough to write a page, let alone a whole book.”
I shrugged. “I’ve been having a hard time lately, too.”
A pretty blond woman dressed in a pink blouse and cropped pants came over to our table. “Hey, Gav. How’s the leg?”
“Mostly just itches. Have you met Skylar?” He turned to me. “This is my sister-in-law, Grace. She’s my brother Asher’s wife.”
Grace gave me a warm smile. “Hey, I heard you were in town. It’s nice to see you again. I think we were probably in elementary school the last time I saw you.”
“Probably.”
“I was just with your hubs,” Gavin said. “He was looking good at quarterback. How are you feeling?”
“I feel amazing, actually.” She rested a hand on her stomach and turned back to me. “He’s asking because I’m pregnant.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” She smiled again and there was so much joy in her eyes, it made my heart flutter a little. “I feel really good. No morning sickness or anything. I’m a little tired, but I can’t complain.