Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
My blood pressure shoots through the roof. “They blew something innocent completely out of proportion and had my friend arrested! I have every right to be a little unstable right now.”
“He wasn’t arrested, he agreed to come in for questioning.” Wes glances toward the front desk, where a cranky-looking woman sits behind the bulletproof glass separating the lobby from the bullpen of desks behind her. “Without a lawyer, which wasn’t his smartest move. He shouldn’t be talking to them without representation.”
“Then go, please,” I beg, clinging to his arm. “Please, please, please Wesley. Just go in there, say you’re his lawyer, and get him out of there without making this worse. Afterwards, if you decide you still don’t feel okay about it, we can find someone else to represent him. But it’s too late to get anyone else now, especially on a Saturday. You’re the only one here and you’re my brother and I need you.”
Wesley holds my gaze for a long beat. “Okay.” I start to thank him profusely, but he cuts me off, “But don’t call or text Ben while I’m in there. Promise me.”
I nibble my lip, but when he tucks his phone into his coat pocket and rises to leave, I jump up and grab his arm. “Yes, yes. I promise. I’ll call Tessa instead. Or Starling. I need to call her to ask her to run by and feed the squirrel anyway. If we’re here much longer, Nutty’s going to get hungry for dinner.”
“Don’t worry about the squirrel, I’ll have you home before dinner.” He rises. “Call Tessa. She’s a good friend.” He adjusts his tie, muttering beneath his breath, “Even if she does have horrible taste in men and shouldn’t go hiking without an emergency whistle.”
I nod. “Okay. Thank you, Wes. Really. Thank you so much.”
He flashes a tight smile. “Thank me when your boyfriend is out of trouble.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I whisper, the words feeling like a lie. I mean, we didn’t decide on official titles, but we did exchange “I love yous,” and what’s more boyfriend-y than that?
But who knows if Aaron will still be feeling the love by the time the police are done interrogating him.
“Right,” Wes says with a wry twist of his lips. “And I’m the King of Transylvania.”
“Transylvania isn’t a country anymore,” I say, to which he winks and points a finger at my face. I wrinkle my nose and wave him toward the door leading back into the bullpen area, not wanting to delay him any further.
Especially when he’s unintentionally given me hot gossip to keep my mind off my seething rage.
Whipping open my chat with Tessa, I shoot her a text—So when were you going to tell me that you had a one-night stand with my brother?
Chapter 26
From the texts of Tessa Martin
and Melissa McGuire
TESSA: What are you talking about? I would never! Barrett and Wren are the most darling couple ever. I would never try to come between them.
* * *
MELISSA: Good try, but I’m not talking about Barrett, and you know it.
* * *
TESSA: Barrett is the only brother of yours who is close to my age, Mel. I don’t know what you think you know, but you don’t know it. And sadly, I can’t chat right now. I’m in the middle of re-watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I want to be prepared to charm a man with my refreshingly off-beat weirdness the next time I’m lucky enough to meet one who isn’t a walking red flag.
* * *
MELISSA: No, you have to text with me. I’m at the police station and need emotional support.
* * *
TESSA: WHAT? Why? Can I call you? I need information faster than your fingers can provide it. For a woman who can chop celery at the speed of light, you’re an alarmingly slow texter.
* * *
MELISSA: I know, but we shouldn’t talk on the phone. The woman at the front desk is eavesdropping and we don’t want her to know that you and Wesley had a hot, woodland hook-up last fall after he saved you from the creepy mountain man you were dumb enough to go hiking with on the second date. I’m really glad you didn’t get murdered, by the way. In case I haven’t told you that lately. I’m glad you didn’t get murdered, AND I’m glad you slept with Wesley.
* * *
TESSA: Damn it. He promised he wouldn’t tell! We both promised.
* * *
MELISSA: Oh, he didn’t tell me anything. He let something slip about your terrible taste in men and hiking protocols, and I put the pieces together. But thank you for the confirmation that my instincts are still spot-on.
* * *
TESSA: ARGH! You’re the worst. I would be pissed at you right now if I weren’t so worried. Why are you at the police station? Is Chase okay? Are you okay? Did you finally snap and strangle Radcliffe? If you did, don’t feel bad, I would have strangled Radcliffe the first time I met him. I’ll testify on your behalf that his smug grin should be grounds for assault.