Page 9 of Ignite My Heart

I shake my head. “No. There's no reason for that."

"Why?”

"Because you and I are not friends."

"Ouch." He puts a hand on his chest. "That one hurt. I know we haven't kept in touch since you left after graduation, but it doesn't mean I don't consider you a friend."

"I'm sure Kathleen would have all kinds of things to say about that."

His eyes go hard. There’s no other way to describe it. “I’m sure she would. But I don't give a fuck what Kathleen has to say."

Something in the fierceness of his tone strikes a chord in me. It’s so unlike him. Garrett is the most easygoing guy in the world. The kind of guy who never has a bad thing to say about anyone. But there’s nothing easy-going about this sudden hard edge.

Maybe he finally saw her for the conniving person I knew her to be. I don't know. I heard they broke up, but I stopped paying attention to news about Garrett Whitmore a long time ago—around the time of my high school prom.

“Well, I’m just saying that if this boyfriend of yours hasn’t given you a gold band of some kind, I feel I should be able to toss my hat in the ring, so to speak.” He pauses to look at me. “Go out with me, Felicity. Let me show you what we could be together.”

His voice is so earnest. I want to say yes. I want to say screw the past and let’s see where this goes. But I know better. I know how things go between Garrett and me, and I’m not going down that road again. “I’m not going to go on a date with you.”

“So y’all are serious? If you tell me you’re serious and in love with this mystery boyfriend, I’ll back off.”

“It’s not that. But I’m not going to date two people at once. I’m not the type to lead someone on.”

“Okay, so we won’t go on a date. But let me buy you a cup of coffee. It’s technically not a date if it’s only liquids.”

I stop and look at him. “Did you just make that up? Right now?”

His lips quirk in a grin, and he shrugs. The whole movement is all “aww, shucks, ma’am,” and sadly, it’s totally charming and endearing.

“Pretty sure coffee is still a date. Besides, I don’t have time for coffee.”

He frowns at me, looks at the shop we’re standing in front of, then looks back at me with raised brows. “Isn’t this the coffee shop? Why are we having this conversation outside the coffee shop if you don’t have time for coffee?”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Think, Felicity! “I’m meeting him here. That’s why?”

Garrett grins and rubs his hands together. “Great. I can meet him too.” He opens the door.

“Wait. What?”

He motions to the opened door. “After you.”

“I want to know what the hand rubbing was about. Are you a cartoon villain?”

He laughs. “Nope. I’m just excited to meet the man who has stolen you from me. Need to size him up and see what I’m up against.” He looks around the coffee shop.

I do the same and am mortified when the booths and tables are filled with Saddle Creek’s seniors. Not of the high school variety. But of the gray-haired, cane-wielding, “what did you say?” kind. Clearly, I can’t pawn myself off on any of these elderly gentlemen and pretend we’re dating.

How is this my life?

“So…” Garrett winks at me. “I know, based on the number of women in this town who hit on my dad and Doc West, that plenty of women in their twenties and thirties don’t mind an age gap. But I’m thinking this takes it a little too far.”

I blow out a noisy breath. “He’s not here yet. He’s probably running late. So you should just go about your day. No need to wait for him.” I try to shoo him away, but of course, he doesn’t budge.

“I don’t mind waiting. I’ve been waiting for you a long damn time, Felicity. I’ve gotten pretty good at it.”

I roll my eyes. “This is ridiculous. Why can’t you let this go? Why can’t you stop pretending that you’re into me?”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?”