Page 25 of Wilde Ride

Strangely enough, I wasn’t the least bit bothered by that.

Emeline

My heart pounded in my chest as I walked out of the café. I drew in a deep breath of fresh air and closed my eyes, willing it to settle down.

Had I imagined that Levi appeared to want to kiss me? In the middle of the freaking café?

Yes, you did imagine it, Emeline Wilde.

I opened my eyes and glanced behind me. Levi had stopped at a table, talking to whoever was sitting there. I hadn’t even paid attention to who was in the café. I was too busy trying not to let my emotions show around Levi. The man I’d been crushing on since I’d first learned boys didn’t have cooties had actually been sitting directly across from me eating lunch.

I started to pace back and forth in front of the café.

Why did I say date? What if someone heard me? Was that why Levi had been stopped? Were they asking him if we’re…dating?

“Oh God, The Daily Dirt,” I whispered.

I leaned against the building and looked up. “If only there was a time machine so I could take it back.”

“What a curious thing to say!”

The sudden voice from beside me didn’t make me feel any better.

Janet Miller. She owned Main Street Gifts…and was also the writer of The Daily Dirt, the gossip column in our local newspaper. The column’s motto was, ‘We dig up the dirt so you don’t have to.’ And Janet was good at digging up dirt. She pretended she wasn’t the anonymous columnist, but everyone in town knew she was.

To give credit where credit was due, not all of the articles in The Daily Dirt were gossip…just the vast majority. I also had a sneaking suspicion that Janet’s daughter, Grace, was behind some of the articles. Especially the ones geared toward my family. My mother said Grace had a thing for my father back in high school, and to this day she blames my mom for stealing him away from her. Even though Dad insisted he never once dated Grace—and he didn’t meet Mom until they were juniors in college.

“Janet! Hi, how are you?” I asked with a sugary-sweet smile.

“I’m doing well, little Emeline.”

I wanted to roll my eyes. The woman was forever calling me little Emeline. I was twenty-five years old, for goodness’ sake.

“That’s good to hear.”

Trying not to let her see where my gaze went, I stole a glance into the café. Now would not be a good time for Levi to exit.

He glanced up at that exact moment and held up a finger, silently telling me he’d be right out.

No. No. No! Stay in there, Levi!

“What were you saying about a time machine?” Janet asked.

Acting as if I had no idea what she meant, I replied, “A time machine?”

“Yes, you said if only there was a time machine?”

I frowned. “Are you sure it was me?”

Janet looked around. Various locals were walking by, and she frowned. “I don’t recall anyone being near you, but it could have been someone else, I suppose.”

“I’d love to stay and chat, but I don’t want to keep you.”

Janet smiled. “I’m just heading into the café to grab lunch.”

“Lunch…”

“Yes, have you eaten yet? You can join me if you’d like.”