Page 6 of Hard Rain Coming

That irritation flared into something else. Something dark and maybe a little twisted. He reached for his wallet and pulled out some cash, which he laid on the countertop. “Can I have a coffee to go?” he asked Janelle.

“Sure thing,” she replied. “I need to make a new pot, so it will be a few minutes.”

“Appreciate it.”

He waited while Janelle got busy making a fresh pot of java and tried his best to ignore the woman to his right. She made it impossible, of course, because the dark looks sent his way were sharp.

“Something bothering you?” he asked conversationally.

“No,” she retorted. “Of course not. I’m thrilled at the thought of being stuck inside an F150 for two hours with you.”

“Ram,” he said.

“What?” She turned to face him with a scowl.

Dallas felt some satisfaction when her cheeks turned pink.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she said. Her tongue darted out and took a swipe at the corner of her mouth. A mouth that was still pouty and full. He felt a twinge down in those parts of his that shouldn’t be twinging. Not for Vivian, anyway. Dallas took a beat and got his head straight.

“I drive a Ram,” he said after a few moments.

“Whatever.” She made a face. “It’s a truck.”

“But not an F150.”

“Do you always have to be right?” She made a sound close to disgust. “Is that still a thing for you?”

She wasn’t wrong, but he wouldn’t admit to that. “You’ve got a shit attitude, Bridgestone. Especially considering I drove all the way out here to rescue you.”

“Did I look like I needed rescuing last night?”

“You handed Gary his ass. On that count, I’d say no.”

She studied him for a few seconds. “I didn’t ask you to come.”

“Benton did. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

“Not surprising.”

He raised an eyebrow at her, wondering at the hostility. They weren’t friends, but he didn’t deserve this.

She opened her mouth. Then slammed it shut. Then nailed him with a look he was all too familiar with. Here we go, he thought.

“I’ve been home for over a month.”

“I’m aware.”

“Why are you avoiding me?”

He considered his answer. Then thought, fuck it, she asked.

“You’re a distraction.”

Her eyebrows shot up at that. “Am I? And here I thought you didn’t care.” Her words dripped sarcasm.

“Not in the way you think.”

“Really.” Her eyes glittered as she stared at him.