Page 31 of Keep Me Close

“Let’s head over to Lakeshore Sweets,” she says. “You can meet Callie and Sloane.”

As soon as we step foot inside the bakery, a warm, sugary scent wraps around me. A pretty woman stands behind the glass display case, flour dusting her apron, blonde hair pulled into a messy bun. A bright smile lights up her face when she spots us.

“You must be Cheyenne,” she says, stepping around the counter and pulling me into a hug.

I freeze for half a second before returning the embrace.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says, drawing away just enough to meet my gaze.

“Same.”

A petite, dark-haired woman appears from a swinging door in the back as she wipes her hands on a towel. She gives me a cool once-over before nodding.

“Congrats,” she says. “Looks like you survived the shopping excursion with these three.”

I can’t help but laugh as the tight knot between my shoulder blades loosens.

That constant need to brace for judgment, snark, or hidden motives eases just a little.

They ask about my plans while I’m in Chicago before the conversation turns to the gala on Saturday.

As we sit with our drinks and pastries, Lilah asks, “So, are you ready for your first official Railers event?”

“I feel like I should say yes, but I honestly don’t know what to expect.” As many openings as I’ve attended, this feels different.

“All I have to say is that the guys better be on their best behavior, or they’ll answer to me,” Rina cuts in without hesitation.

Callie smiles over the rim of her coffee cup. “I’m sure they will be.”

“Please. If the team is there,” Sloane says dryly, “then it’s just a bunch of Neanderthals in fancier clothes.”

A smile tugs at my lips before I can stop it.

Lilah laughs. “Okay, that’s fair. But it’ll be fun too. There are usually appetizers, drinks, some auction items, and the guys roam around, being their charming selves.”

“Um, they think they’re charming,” Rina corrects.

“Oh, they can be pretty charming,” Kia says.

Sloane snorts. “You only say that because you’re sleeping with one of them.”

Kia chuckles into her tea. “I’m not the only one.”

Rina and Lilah clink the rims of their mugs together with a grin.

“I’m more interested in the ongoing saga of hot Hugh and Evelyn. I need my fix, and I’m hoping to get it this weekend,” Sloane adds.

With a raised brow, I sip my cappuccino. “I’m sorry, did you just say hot Hugh?”

Callie smiles. “She means Hugh Landry. One of the Railers owners.”

“And Evelyn Kingston is the other,” Lilah adds before leaning forward a little. “They have history.”

“Ancient history,” Rina adds. “The kind with loaded stares and enough unresolved tension to power the whole city.”

I blink. “Seriously?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Kia says. “You can feel their intensity every time they’re in the room together. Get too close and you’ll lose your eyebrows.”