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