Three Rules I’d Never Break by Remi Carrington

Chapter 9

Iscrolled through social media, killing time until I knew Eli’s shift had started. The last two days, I’d thought about him often. The look he’d given me right before leaving Haley’s party still gave me chills.

Every part of me wanted to be around him. Even if he only nodded and grunted. Kissing was optional. How could I convince him that I was safe?

That was a question for another time. Right now, I had to tackle the seeing him part. Timing would be key in snagging his attention. Tessa’s idea seemed like the best place to start. Jaywalking.

A perfectly timed run across the street would spark a conversation or a mini lecture. I was fully prepared for the lecture. Then I’d go get barbeque. Win-win.

I paced on the sidewalk. Traffic was non-existent. Turtles could’ve chased each other across the road without fear of being run over.

In theory, it was the perfect time to cross, but I waited for a certain vehicle to come into view. If Eli had taken the back way to the highway, I’d be standing here a while. The highway was part of what he patrolled. I knew that from stories I heard.

He had a talent for pulling over women when they were in tears. Poor guy. I bet not all of them spewed all their problems at him.

I waited a little longer.

The chances of crossing in front of a different deputy were fair to middling, but I’d have to take that risk.

When I spotted a sheriff’s vehicle way down the road, I dashed across Main Street. Eli would feel obligated to stop and lecture me.

I walked toward the restaurant at a snail’s pace, giving him plenty of time to pull into the lot and stop. But he didn’t turn. In fact, he didn’t even glance at me as he drove on down the street.

He could’ve at a least flipped on his siren, so that I could’ve consoled myself with the idea that he was racing to an emergency. But no. Jaywalking wasn’t going to work.

In addition to lots of barbeque, I needed a banana pudding. Maybe two.

Tessa grinned when I walked in. “I figured you’d show up here. Sorry he didn’t stop.”

“Saw that, did you? I’m going to have to find other ways to talk to him.”

“Or you could be patient and wait until he decides to talk to you.”

“I’m not liking that approach. Once he gets to that point, he might not be attracted to me anymore. You said—”

“I should never have said anything about that.” Tessa sighed. “I’m hungry. Let’s order and you can tell me about how the house is coming along.”

After we’d paid for our food, she and I headed for the far corner where we could talk without being overheard.

“Tessa, I’m a grown woman who is running across the street to get a guy’s attention. What’s wrong with me? Why didn’t it work?”

Tessa glanced down at her phone and slapped a hand over her mouth as she laughed. “It did work.” She slid her phone across the table so I could read the text on the screen.

Tell Delaney it’s dangerous to cross in the middle of the street.

“He texted you?” I tapped out a message and hit send before Tessa could tell me to stop. Tell her yourself.

His reply popped up a second later. I tried. She won’t listen to me.

Well, crap. That backfired. I’d have to find a different way to get him to talk to me. I just wasn’t sure how. Getting pulled over would probably work, but breaking rules—except for jaywalking—made me twitchy.

* * *

On Thursday afternoon,a big shipment arrived, so I didn’t go galivanting through the county, trying to get a certain deputy to pull me over. That adventure would have to wait until another night.

I counted items as I pulled them out of the box. Then I hung each one on a rolling rack. It was easier to roll that around the store rather than carry one armload at a time.

Counting super cute rompers, I didn’t stop when my phone rang. Once I’d written down all the counts for each size, I picked up the phone.

It started ringing again immediately.

“Hello, Tessa. What’s up? I’m surprised you are. It’s very late, and don’t you start making doughnuts at like four?”

“I was asleep. But then Eli called me over and over until I answered. He wants to know why your lights are on so late.”

I listened to see if she’d done a group call. “Only the two of us on the line?”

“Yes. I told him I’d call him back.”

“Don’t call him. Go back to sleep. And I’m sorry.”

She yawned. “Good luck.”

It was wonderful having a friend who picked up on my thought process even when half asleep.

I unlocked the front door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The wind gusted, and I crossed my arms as goosebumps erupted on my skin. Except for my car, the lot was empty. Eli wasn’t camped in front of the store, checking on me. I stepped back inside and locked the front door.

I wasn’t going to make the mistake of leaving a door unlocked again.

An idea struck me just as I picked up a bodysuit. I hurried out onto the back sidewalk just as his SUV passed my door.

The brake lights came on, and he stopped. But he didn’t get out.

If he wanted to play games, fine. How could I make him crazy? I hadn’t picked up my keys, so I couldn’t just launch out on a late-night stroll.

Then I spotted a small rock.

If leaving a door unlocked bothered him, then leaving a door open would definitely get him out of his SUV.

I kicked the rock into the doorjamb and went back inside. The small rock did its job and prevented the door from closing.

Waiting right inside the door, I counted. One . . . two . . . three . . .

Fingers appeared, picked up the rock, then disappeared. The door closed.

I yanked it back open. “Really? You woke up Tessa?”

Eli’s gaze danced around. After looking at my face, he focused on the bodysuit in my hand. Then his gaze dropped to the ground. “Everything okay here? I noticed activity as I went by.”

“Ten four, good buddy. Everything is a-okay here at the store.” My retort had more of an edge than I’d intended.

His shoulders sagged. “I don’t talk like that.”

“I know you don’t. I’m sorry.” I tucked the bodysuit behind my back. “Will you come in for a minute? Please.” I didn’t want him leaving upset with me.

In the most shocking surprise of the week, he nodded. “I can make sure nothing is amiss.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

He took off his cowboy hat as he walked inside, and I followed him down the hall, watching as his gun belt shifted with each step.

“As you can see, I’ve been unboxing a shipment. I should be done in about an hour.” I stood beside the rolling rack.

The man made a visible effort not to look at all the pretty things. It was completely adorable and made me wonder what thoughts were bouncing around in his head. Unlike Tessa, I didn’t have the ability to read his face.

“Good. Well, I’ll let you get back to work.” He patted his hat against his leg as he turned to go back down the hall.

I stepped in front of him. “Eli, when something at the store doesn’t look right, text me. I don’t want you to worry.”

He rubbed his chin, which only reminded me of how rough his stubble felt against my lips. Were there rules about kissing on duty? I shouldn’t try to find out. This all-business conversation was a step in the right direction. Kissing him again might send him running. However, there was no coffee here, nothing to spill.

He didn’t move, and I stayed quiet, hoping he’d respond.

Eli played with silence like it was a fidget toy. I tempered my impatience. If he needed time to think about what he wanted to say, I didn’t mind waiting.

When his gaze lifted to meet mine, I held my breath.

“I don’t have your number.” His voice came out in a low rumble.

My heartrate kicked into overdrive, and I grabbed my phone. “Give me yours, and I’ll text you.”

Only giving him my number meant that I might never hear from him. Having his number could prove helpful. I was following rule one—always be prepared.

If there was an award for the smoothest way to get a woman’s number, he deserved it.

He rattled off his digits without hesitation, and I typed the number into my contacts. Then I tapped out a quick text. Thanks for checking on me.

Those green eyes sparkled as a smile spread across his face. “If you ever need anything, you can . . . you know.”

That was an invitation to call him. I’d remember that.

“I will. Thanks.”

He strode down the short hall and stopped at the door. “Night, Delaney.”

“Good night.” I closed the door behind him and immediately flipped the bolt.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

He’d sent a thumbs up.

Eli could say more with fewer than fifty words than any guy I’d ever dated. He kissed better too.