Free Takedown by Sierra Riley Page B

engineer at the new plant.”
    Mitchell nodded. “A lot of people seem to be coming here for that.”
    “Yeah, it’s been great for generating jobs,” Emily nodded. “But who cares about Beatrice news? Tell me about you. How’s New York City?”
    She looked rapt, like anyone who hadn’t lived in the city. There was that certain charm and appeal around the name itself.
    Mitchell didn’t want to break that magic spell. And, honestly, the city still had him ensnared three years later. “It’s incredible. Everything they say and more, especially expensive,” he laughed. “But I’ve been doing great as a realtor.”
    “Wow. You’re doing luxury properties, right?”
    Everyone in town had to know that. “Yeah. A lot of penthouses and mansions. It’s really bizarre. I mean, I come back here and houses are sixty grand…”
    Emily laughed. “Yeah. And you’re doing million-dollar deals.” She squeezed his knee briefly, lightly, and pulled her hand back. “I’m really proud of you.” Her voice was sincere now, her eyes still on his. “After everything, I was worried.”
    “That I’d go off the rails?” Mitchell quirked his lips in a half-smile. “Nah. It was just the push I needed.”
    “Good,” Emily nodded. “And… relationship-wise…?”
    Mitchell swallowed, his eyes falling to her hand. “Not as lucky as you. Wow, that’s a nice ring.”
    “It’s sweet, isn’t it?” It was a traditional silver band with diamonds. No going wrong with that. This guy seemed like the standard sweet small-town boy. “So you haven’t been seeing anyone?”
    Mitchell shook his head. “Not lately.”
    “Or since we…?”
    Mitchell winced, hating the admission. So far, he’d failed at both being a straight guy and being a gay guy. “No.”
    “Oh,” Emily murmured, frowning her sympathy. “Wow. Why? You’re just a bachelor type?”
    Mitchell nodded slowly. “I guess so. I mean, the lifestyle out there is pretty fast-paced. I’m working most of the day, you know?” He finished his iced tea, aware of the nervousness sucking the moisture from his mouth. “So I haven’t really made time.”
    He couldn’t stop fidgeting with the glass, like she’d be able to see the traces of Luke’s kisses along his neck and lips.
    Emily nodded again, still calm and still. “Right. So, I guess you’ve been talking to Luke?”
    Mitchell’s laugh was more nervous than he meant it to be. “Yeah. He’s at the gym, so…”
    “So you have to. Are things okay between you two?” Emily looked anxious. “I always felt bad that this whole thing… you know, broke the two of you up.”
    Mitchell’s cheeks felt hot as he stared at his empty glass and swirled the ice cubes around it a few more times. “Um, yeah, I think things are okay now.” He made himself drag his gaze up to her again so he’d be less suspicious.
    “I’m too sucked into everything—” God, he was going to blush again. “To, um, have time. Like I said. I mean, for relationships. Even friendships, like one with Luke, would be hard.” Oh, fuck. Shut up.
    Emily undoubtedly had her suspicions, but she nodded. “Well, I hope you’re happy.”
    “I am,” he promised. That much, he was sure of. It had been hell to split up, and to be practically chased out of town, but… it had been a wakeup call he’d needed. Mitchell smiled. “You are too, huh?”
    “Never been better. Look, you should come by and meet Greg. Especially if you’re going to be in town for a few weeks.”
    Mitchell didn’t think that was the best idea he’d ever heard. Her ex-fiancé meeting her current fiancé? But she had to trust him or have some good reason for it, or she wouldn’t have asked him. “Yeah, I will.”
    “Next week?”
    “Okay. I could use a couple more friends in town,” Mitchell cracked a smile again.
    Emily laughed lightly. “No doubt. Come on by next week for a barbecue, then,” she told him as they rose to their feet. “And thanks for dropping