Jake drove around town a bit in the Jeep after leaving Matt’s. It was nice to be behind the wheel again and despite the rough ride of the Jeep, he liked the height of it. Something about driving relaxed him, so he drove through town and then took a few country roads a few miles out and then back. He needed time to think. And to prepare.

Seeing Shelby again after last night and having things go back to whatever felt like normal between them left him feeling a mix of happiness and also the same guilt that he’d been nursing. He had to tell her. Knowing that she was looking at houses, especially ones that looked as terrible as the one across from Matt’s house had left him feeling gutted. Maybe it wasn’t too late.

He should call Xander. Maybe it was time for the bailout of this project. Everyone had been nervous about it from the start, but Jake in his pride and Xander in his overt faith in Jake, had pushed past where they would normally leave a project and move on. Permits were still sticky and the mayor. And now he had personal reasons for wanting to distance himself as much as possible from the whole thing. He called Xander while heading back toward town.

“Jake, what’s the word?”

“I’m still here. Headed to the mayor’s in a bit. Going to check on Layla first.”

“Good, good. I know that you’re going to be amazing with McClure. He’s on board, it’s just a matter of making him feel like he’s important.”

“Yeah,” Jake said. “Here’s the thing—”

“And I don’t want to push you, but if you happen to like his daughter, that can’t hurt. As long as you don’t leave her broken-hearted. But that’s more my M.O. than yours.” Xander laughed and Jake tried to figure out how to respond.

“About that, I may have not been completely forthcoming with you.”

“Pulling out the big words. About?”

“The woman I’m staying with. I mean, nothing’s happened yet.”

“But you’d like for it to?”

Jake was relieved to hear the sound of a smile in Xan’s voice. He shouldn’t have been worried about that. Xander had always looked out for him in personal ways as much as business.

“Yeah,” Jake said. “I would. But—”

“That’s great! Then don’t worry about the mayor’s daughter. Stay far away so you don’t give the wrong impression. I’m all for a fling with a small-town girl.”

“It’s not—”

Xander kept going. “After the mayor, we’ve still got some issues brewing with the city planning. Louisiana is giving us a really hard time with the permits there. Apparently, the wildlife preserve really is a big deal to them. Though we plan to go over it with the bridge, building the bridge will apparently disrupt the ecosystem there. We’ve got some groups protesting.”

“Maybe we should back off this project,” Jake said. The words took guts. He didn’t like to back off. Xan liked it even less. There was silence for a moment.

“Something I don’t know? Do you see a problem from your end?”

Xander sounded concerned, which made Jake feel bad. A lot was riding on this project. Money, but also jobs and people. Not to mention the reputation of their company. His reputation. Xander’s.

“It’s more…personal. The woman I’m staying with? Hers was the last property we secured yesterday.”

Xan cursed softly. “Are you sure?”

“Pretty positive. She found out yesterday it was being annexed. She’s out looking for other places to live right now.”

“And she doesn’t know about your involvement, right? Or the project?”

“Nope.”

Xander was silent for a moment. Jake didn’t know what he wanted him to say, but hoped for some kind of directive. Maybe it was cowardly, but it would take the mounting pressure off.

“Man. I don’t even know what to say to that. First—I’m sorry. That’s a really tough position to be in.”

Jake could picture Xander, running a hand over his face the way he did when he was tired or stressed. He felt so much better after telling him. There weren’t many things that he kept from Xan and he wasn’t sure why he’d initially held this back. Sure, Xander could be over-involved at times, but he cared. Which was more than Jake could say for his father or any of the other men in his life.

“Thanks. I found out last night and haven’t figured out what to do or say. I mean, I know the project is on the downlow for now, but—”

“I hate to say this, because you know I’m all about honesty, but you can’t tell her. Things are on the brink as it is with this and any tiny wind could blow this deal down. I’m sorry, Jake. If this thing tanks on its own, that’s one thing. But we can’t pull the plug ourselves. Look, I’m sending a car for you. Tonight. Just text me the address. I kept your suite at L’Auberge because I still want you to spend some time there. Will that work? It will help you get out before you get any deeper with her.”

Jake pulled the Jeep to a stop next to the garage. He closed his eyes and covered them with his hand. All he could see was Shelby’s face. What would she say when he said he was leaving? He was supposed to give her a ride home tonight. Should he still do that? Maybe he could call and tell her that he wouldn’t be able to pick her up at the diner.

“Jake? You there?”

“Yeah.”

Xander sighed into the phone. “You really like this girl?”

Jake had a hard time speaking. A wave of emotions tangled his chest. “I barely know her.”

“Wow. You’ve got it bad. Or…good, I guess. Depending on how you look at it. Jake, I’m really sorry. I mean, this is the first girl since Hannah and I hate—”

“Don’t. It’s fine, okay? I’ll talk to the mayor and I’ll send you the address to pick me up tonight. Bye, Xan.”

Jake had to hang up before…what? He cried? This was ridiculous. Shelby clearly had some kind of draw—the whole town seemed captivated by her. But Jake barely knew her. Xan was right, though—Jake hadn’t been this interested in anyone since Hannah. Maybe even before Hannah. Jake couldn’t remember feeling anything like this for any woman. Ever. He needed to engage his logic. The same calm and cool thoughts that kept him at the top of his game, bringing Obsidian millions of dollars in revenue on every project. Feelings didn’t rule that Jake.

After a few minutes of breathing and self-talk, Jake walked into the garage after finding the front office empty. “Hello?”

He could hear voices, but it was dark and took a minute for his eyes to adjust. “Hey, there Mr. Aston Martin! How are ya?”

Greg walked over and slapped him on the shoulder. “Sit down. We’re just discussing town gossip. Don’t tell, though. Men aren’t supposed to gossip. Have a beer.”

Slim and another guy who introduced himself as Aiden were sitting around the corner of the garage by a workbench. Greg pulled over a folding chair for Jake and handed him a beer. It was ten in the morning. Jake popped the top but didn’t drink.

“How’s she doing?” He asked, jerking his head toward Layla, who was, thankfully, under a car cover.

“Same. We should be getting in those parts later today and then we can see what we’re working with.”

“So maybe another day?”

Slim chuckled. “What are you running from?”

Jake looked down in his beer. “Nothing. I just never planned to be here. I’ve got to get back to Chicago.”

Slim took a long swallow of beer, watching Jake over the top of the can. Jake wondered how much Matt had said to him. Jake took a swallow of beer. Greg had said they were gossiping...what if...

“You heard about Shelby losing her place?” Greg said. “Shame. I don’t know what they’ve got cooking but something’s going on in this town.”

Jake was glad for the dim lighting so none of them could see his face flush. He took another sip of beer. “Yeah?”

“Talks of the permit office and city planners. No one trusts the mayor as far as you could throw him—have you met him?” Jake shook his head. Greg cackled. “Let’s just say you couldn’t throw him far. And he’s got some big secret. We all know it but so far everyone has been closed-lip. Too bad about Shelby though. She’s had a lot of rough breaks and keeps kicking.”

“Like her dad?” Jake asked.

“And her mama,” Slim said.

“Her mom?”

“Looney as a jaybird,” Greg said. “Took off years ago for the psych ward a few counties over.”

Jake felt like his throat was closing in. He saw Shelby’s face as he told her she was crazy the night before. He meant it as a compliment and couldn’t understand why she ran. Now he did.

“Is her mom still there?”

“Nah. She run off,” Slim said. “Don’t know how you get out of a place like that, but she did. No one’s seen hide nor hair since. She’s fixing to be dead somewhere.”

Jake closed his eyes. The feeling of guilt lay on his chest like a lead anvil, crushing him. Really and truly, he was a terrible person. He felt sweat pricking at his hairline.

“Cupcake delivery!” A bright and familiar voice called out.

Jake closed his eyes briefly. Shelby. He couldn’t seem to escape her. The curse of a small town.

She waltzed into the garage, blinking into the dark interior. She wore an apron from the diner and carried a white cardboard bakery box.

Slim jumped up and took the box from her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Marry me,” he said.

“Still a no,” Shelby said. “But enjoy the cupcakes. Who’s paying today?”

“I think Jake’s got this covered,” Greg said with a smile.

“Jake?” She looked confused to see him there, sitting with the other men. “What are you doing in here?”

“Just checking on my car,” he said, pointing. She stared over at the covered shape as he pulled out his wallet. “How much for the cupcakes?”

“Oh, um...” Shelby didn’t meet his eyes.

“Forty dollars,” Slim said. Aiden chuckled and Jake knew they were messing with him. Even upscale bakeries didn’t charge that much in Chicago for a dozen. But he didn’t argue and handed Shelby two twenties.

“Thanks,” she said, looking down at the money. She was obviously debating about whether to take it or not. Jake closed her fingers around it and nodded before he sat back down.

“These are delicious,” Greg said. “I could eat these daily.”

“You basically do,” Shelby said. She turned to Jake. “Hey, can I see your car?”

Jake set down his beer can. “You want to see her?”

“Her?” A smile played on her lips. “Does she have a name too? I bet you’re one of those guys who names your cars.”

“Her name is Layla,” Slim said, lifting a beer can to Jake as though to say you’re welcome.

Shelby laughed. “Of course you named your fancy car after an Eric Clapton song. Now let’s see her.”

Jake got up and began pulling the cover off his car. Slim grabbed the other side of the cover so they could lift it smoothly off her exterior. Shelby stared, then moved reverently forward to run her hands along Layla’s curves.

“This is some car,” she said. “I can see now why you named her. No judgment.”

“Well, to be fair, you name alligators.”

“Just the one,” she said. “Wow, Jake.”

“That’s a two hundred-thousand-dollar car,” Greg said.

“Three. Three-hundred thousand,” Slim said. When everyone looked at him, he shrugged. “I googled it.”

The air went still for a moment. Jake watched Shelby’s face. His car cost more than the amount she was getting for her whole property. If he was thinking it, she probably was too.

She lifted her hand from the car. “I’ve got to get back to the diner,” she said. “See y’all later.”

“Shelby, wait!” Jake jogged after her into the sunlight.

She spun to face him. He couldn’t read the expression on her face. “Yeah?”

There were so many things Jake really wanted to say. Instead, he thought of Xan and said, “I won’t be able to pick you up after the mayor’s house. I really don’t know how long I’ll be there. Can Matt or someone give you a ride home?”

Shelby gave him a long look, like she wanted to say something, but then shook her head slightly. “No problem. See ya.”

Jake resisted the urge to run after her. He wanted to tell her everything. He should have the night before, when he hadn’t gotten a direct order from Xan not to. That directive was a blessing and a curse, really. Xan telling him not to say anything saved him and gave him an excuse, but it kept the lie alive between him and Shelby. And with each hour, it seemed like that lie grew. Maybe she couldn’t feel it yet, but when she did, it would be so much larger than it would have been yesterday.