The second glass of wine went down faster than the first. Aly was glad when Rick finally brought out the burgers from the kitchen. She didn’t want to admit she was already in wedding dress diet mode, because that would mean she had a wedding dress to fit into, and it would mean there was a date in sight. She knew she had neither. She knew how it sounded when people asked about Mitchell. She always gave vague answers and exaggerated excuses. It was getting harder to pretend. Harder to ignore the looks of sympathy and the glances of pity. When she and Mitchell first started dating, she was so proud to take him around town and show him off. He was so charismatic and seemed to win everyone over. That charisma had disappeared over the last year.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts and focusing back on her dinner. The burger tasted good with the wine. She dipped a French fry in ketchup, keeping an eye on Wyatt.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, can you tell me where you’ve been?” she asked.

The guy was nothing if not mysterious and brooding. He barely strung five words together at a time. But he seemed to finally be enjoying himself, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with the last touchdown the Lightning scored. She saw the way he looked at her. His gaze was intense. Mesmerizing.

He wiped his fingers on a napkin. “I just got back from overseas. Bhazni.”

She nodded. “How long were you over there?”

“For a few years.”

“Wow. That’s crazy. And your first stop is St. Claire?” she asked.

He chuckled, his wide chest moving with the sound. “Not by design.”

“Oh right. The bike.” She picked up another fry and dipped it slowly in the ketchup. She couldn't help but picture his long strong legs straddling the bike. His jeans tightening and pulling in all the right places. She cleared her throat. “It’s not such a bad stopover. There’s lots to do here.”

“Really? Like what? I’ve already been to The Skillet, the one gas station, the one bar, and now I’m staying in the only hotel. There’s more?”

She blushed. He was teasing her. She knew what people thought about St. Claire. She knew what Mitchell thought about it. But to her it was home, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, or doing anything else. The inn was ingrained in her heritage. It was her destiny.

“Every town has its own charm. You just have to know where to look.” They locked eyes. Sudden clapping sounds behind them made Aly jump in her chair.

Wyatt looked around the bar. “I think they’re clapping because of the touchdown.”

“Right.”

He set his gorgeous blue eyes on her again. “So why are you here? What brought you to St. Claire?”

“The Long Pine,” she stated. “My grandfather owned it, and when I was ten we moved here so my dad could help run it. He eventually took it over and I’m following in his footsteps. As long as I can I guess.”

“What does that mean?”

She shrugged. “I’m sure you’ve noticed we’re low on guests.”

She hadn’t meant to discuss the inn’s financial and economic struggles with Wyatt, but there was something about him. She felt like he was hanging on to her every word. It had been awhile since someone had paid her that kind of attention.

“It’s quiet. I like it.”

She stared at him. She didn’t think she had ever seen such beautiful chiseled lines on a man’s face.

“You do seem like the type of guy who likes his solitude.”

He nodded, pulling his hat closer to his forehead. The bill looked small in his massive hands.

The wine warmed her as she finished her glass. “I bet you’d like the springs.”

His gaze landed on her, and for an instant she thought he was studying her throat, watching as her pulse beat rhythmically.

“Why?”

She sighed. “It’s quiet there. One of my favorite places in St. Claire.”

They finished their burgers, half-watching the game when Aly realized it was close to eleven.

She waved Rick down from the other side of the bar. “Rick, can I get my check?”

“I’ve got it.” Wyatt tried to wave him off.

“No, I can’t let you pay for my dinner.”

“I insist.” He eyed Rick, and the bartender seemed to take his hint. “Payback for that discount you gave me. I didn’t deserve it.”

“But I-I-” She didn’t know exactly what the protest was, only that she should make one. “If you’re in the military you certainly deserve it.”

“No. I don’t.” His deep voice reverberated over her ears.

Her lips clamped together when Rick handed Wyatt the check and they exchanged money for her dinner.

“Where do you live?” he asked while she slipped her arms through her jacket sleeves.

“At the inn. For now. But my fiancé and I are going to buy a place somewhere on the outside of town. We might build.” She suddenly felt the need to reintroduce Mitchell into the conversation. She didn’t want to admit that for the past hour she had forgotten about him.

“Hmm.” He held the door for her as they walked out of the Lucky Coin.

They crossed the street, entering the empty Long Pine lobby.

“So are you ever going to tell me what you do?” She was feeling slightly brave with a couple glasses of wine providing liquid courage.

He exhaled. “I was in the Army. I’m not anymore, though.”

“Oh.” She saw the light reflect off the chain around his neck. She didn’t need to spend a lot of time with him to know there was something he wanted to keep to himself about the Army. Maybe it was best to stop pestering him about it.

“Well, good night Wyatt.” She stopped to face him before retreating to the room she kept behind the office. “Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome.” His hand rested on the banister. “Good night.” He took a steady breath, his blue eyes piercing in the dim light.

Before she let the effect swim through her, she darted past the reception desk and closed the door behind her. But she knew it didn’t matter how fast she ran out of the lobby. She couldn’t outrun what was already happening.

She sank onto her bed and stared at the door, twisting the diamond on her left hand. Thank God he was leaving in the morning. She couldn’t take much more of his smolder. Before she...before she what? That was the question she didn’t want to answer.