If I got addicted to sex with her, the taste of her tongue and the feel of her lips, that amazing perfume, it would only make it harder to walk away.
And though I might have bought a house, that didn’t mean much. I’d be leaving Quincy soon enough.
Just not today.
I parked in an empty space on Main. Foster’s truck was in front of Eden Coffee.
The name Eden was splashed all over this town. In my time here, I’d learned that the Edens were Quincy’s founding family and had lived here for generations. Basically, small-town royalty.
I’d mistakenly married their princess.
My stomach knotted as I headed for Lyla’s café. Eden Coffee was stenciled in gold letters on the front door. Today’s special was written in white, swirly script on a chalkboard sandwich sign in the center of the sidewalk. Through the black-paned windows, I spotted Foster at a table.
The bell above the door tinkled as I walked inside.
He looked up from his phone, jerked his chin and grinned. “Hey.”
“Hi.” I drew in a breath, smelling coffee and cinnamon. “I’m grabbing a coffee. Want a refill?”
“Nah.” He picked up his half-full mug. “I’m good.”
I walked to the counter where Lyla was waiting with a warm smile. “Hey, Lyla.”
“Hi, Jasper. What can I get for you?”
“Just a coffee. Black.”
“You got it.” She smiled wider, then moved to a large coffee pot, plucking a ceramic mug from the nearby shelf. “Haven’t seen you around much lately.”
“Been busy.” Avoiding my wife.
Lyla filled my cup, then brought it over. “Anything else?”
“No, thanks.”
“Sure, um, I was wondering . . .” Lyla hesitated, like she wasn’t sure what to say. But before she could finish, the door’s bell jingled, stealing her attention.
A couple walked toward the counter, so I slipped away to let her take their order.
I took the chair opposite Foster’s. The gurgle and hiss of the espresso machine sounded from the counter.
“How’s it going?” Maybe if we kept the conversation about him, he wouldn’t ask too many questions about me.
“Good. Damn good.”
“How’s Talia?”
“Also good.” He smiled. It was the happiest I’d ever seen my friend look. “She took Kadence to the ranch today to ride horses.”
“Sounds like fun.” I lifted my steaming mug, carefully taking a sip.
Foster leaned in a bit closer, then jerked his chin toward Lyla. “Talia would kick my ass if she knew I was saying this, but I thought you should know. I think Lyla’s got a thing for you. Don’t be surprised if she asks you out.”
My hand shook, so hard that a scorching dollop of coffee sloshed into my mouth. I winced, setting the mug down as my tongue burned. Well, fuck.
“Nah, I don’t think so.” I risked a glance toward Lyla. “She’s just friendly. I’m a customer.”
“Think it’s more than that but . . . just letting you know.” Foster held up a hand. “I’ve had enough secrets to last my lifetime. I’m all about having everything out in the open these days.”
Son of a bitch. The guilt was as bitter as my coffee.
What was Eloise waiting for? Why hadn’t she told them? Maybe she’d never planned to share the truth. Maybe she’d promised with no intention of following through.
I took a sip, not caring when it scalded my tongue. Then I glanced to Lyla again.
She was sweet. Pretty. She was Talia’s twin and the sisters were close. But when I looked at her, there was no uptick to my pulse. No crippling desire to taste her mouth.
There was only one Eden I couldn’t get off my mind.
And her name was on the hotel.
“It wouldn’t bother me,” Foster said. “You, dating Talia’s sister.”
And if I’d married one? Would that bother him? I swallowed down the questions with another searing mouthful of coffee.
This wasn’t going to end well, was it? Every time I delayed the truth was another day Foster would have to resent me.
He’d spent years living a lie before he’d moved to Montana to win back Talia. Maybe he’d understand my reasoning for keeping this marriage a secret. Or maybe he’d hate me even more for hiding the truth.
If Lyla did have a crush, it would only make things worse. Damn it. That was an added complication I didn’t need.
She’d been at the club in Vegas with Eloise. I’d noticed her staring a few times but hadn’t thought anything of it. Mostly because I’d had my eye on Eloise in that sultry black tube top and sexy-as-fuck jeans.
Yes, Lyla was pretty.
But she wasn’t Eloise.
The coffee shop door opened again and boots pounded across the floor.
“Daddy!” Kadence raced through the shop, her chestnut braid swinging across her shoulders.
Talia came in behind her, smiling as she followed.
Foster hopped out of his chair in time to catch Kaddie as she flew into his arms. “How was it?”
“So much fun.” She giggled as he tickled her side. “Can we go again, Talia?”
“Of course.” Talia nodded.
“Tomorrow?” Kaddie asked.
“Um, sure?” Talia laughed. “As long as it’s not raining.”
The rain, I’d take. Too many years living in the desert. I craved a wet, rainy spring.
“Want a snack?” Foster asked, setting his daughter down, nudging her toward the counter where Lyla was waiting. Then he bent to give Talia a kiss. “Good?”
“Really good. It was fun.” She smiled at Foster, the two exchanging a few quiet words before she greeted me. “Hey, Jasper.”
I raised my hand. “Hey, Doc.”
“Foster told me you’re going to stick around for a while.”
“Yeah, a little bit.”
“He can’t live without me,” Foster teased.
I gave a quiet, nervous laugh as I shook my head.
They thought I was staying to keep training with Foster. I’d let them believe I’d bought the A-frame because I was growing attached to Montana.
In truth, buying the cabin had been easier than moving. That would come soon enough.
While Eloise and I sorted through the legal bullshit of an annulment, it would be easier if we were in the same town. So three weeks ago, I’d called the owners of the A-frame to extend my vacation rental. Except they’d informed me they were going to sell it this spring. They wanted to capitalize on the peak market time.
I liked the A-frame. I liked its solitude. Its cozy nature.
So I’d bought it myself. In cash.
When this marriage was annulled, I’d be the one to sell it. Maybe even make a slight profit if the timing was right.
Though it all depended on the courts.
Eloise was set on getting an annulment. She wanted a judge to say this marriage had never existed in the first place. But the grounds for an annulment were limited. According to the latest update from my attorney, he was skeptical that we’d be granted one. Meaning we’d have to go through with a divorce.
Either way, when this thing with Eloise was done, I’d leave Quincy. I’d bid farewell to Montana, hopefully long before another insufferable winter.