Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
We’re better as friends and I’ve been careful not to let loose like that since.
“Walk faster,” I warn, as we shuffle past the windows of Jarrett’s Antiques. “I don’t want to—”
My words are cut off when the door to the shop flings out and Jarrett Sullivan pounces out like the shop cat he keeps inside the store. “Sheriff Bell,” he exclaims, the small gap in his teeth more noticeable as he grins. “Funny chance meeting you here.”
Cato cackles because this shit never gets old for him. We get stopped by this guy once a month on our way to the Chamber meetings. He stalks us. Fucker.
“What a coincidence,” I deadpan. “We’re late, so—”
“This’ll only take a second, big man.” He lets the shop door close so he can step closer, his eyes shifting around to make sure we’re not being overheard. The wily curl on his forehead bounces in the wind, much like his energetic self today. “We have to stop them.”
Cato stifles a snort and I discreetly flip him off behind my back.
“Who?” I lift a brow, studying the older man. He’s probably fifteen years or so older than me. Good-looking if you’re into the weird ones.
His smile falls as he points across the street to the new home décor shop. “The Manhattan bitches.”
“I feel like that’s a little unfair,” I say, though I agree with part of the statement. “They’re not bitches.”
“Addison and Adeline Granger are bitches,” Jarrett argues. “They put their shop right in front of mine!”
It was shitty and low to sell home décor right in front of his antique shop. But it’s out of my hands. I may be the sheriff and this year’s president of the Brigs Ferry Bay Chamber of Commerce, but I’m not King of Beacon Island, for fuck’s sake. There’s only so much I can do.
“Are your sales being impacted?” I frown at him. “Besides them being bitches, what’s the real problem?”
He scowls. “Business is good.”
“Oh yeah? So what’s the problem then?”
“I feel like a sellout.” He crosses his arms over his chest, seemingly unfazed by the brutal wind threatening to knock us over.
“A little birdie told me Jarrett’s furnishing the new B&B,” Cato tattles from beside me. “Right, old man?”
Jarrett’s eyes widen comically. “I…it’s cold as fuck out here. See you around, Sheriff.”
With those words, he hightails it back into his antique shop, leaving me to shake my head. I’ve yet to personally meet Dante Kincaid, but I already dislike him. It’s his B&B, his New York friends, his big mouth that are changing this town. And he can’t even be bothered to show his face. Hell, I don’t even know that he spends any time in Brigs Ferry Bay at all. Just has his contractors work on his establishment while he does whatever rich businessmen do in New York.
“Oh my God,” Cato groans as we pass Fernando Lopez’s diner called Comida’s. “Wanna skip out on the meeting and eat the Wednesday special instead?” He presses his nose to the glass and waves at the patrons inside. “Pleaaaaase.”
“No,” I grumble. “We’ll grab a bite later.”
He huffs and stomps to keep up with my maddening pace. “You’re extra pissy today. I know Brie baby can’t satisfy you, but if you need to, uh, take a load off, you know where I live.”
I shoot him a warning glare. “I’m fine.”
“Of course you are,” he says with a roll of his golden-brown eyes and holding up his red-gloved hands in a peaceful gesture. “Just offering to help a friend out.” He stops, grabbing my bicep to keep me from storming off. “Are you really upset about seeing Kian?”
Kian’s name on his lips sends a flutter of old memories tickling down my spine. Innocent, sweet, romantic memories that were some of the best moments in my life. At the time, I was so fucking happy. If I knew they were going to be short-lived, I would’ve enjoyed them even more.
“I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “Kian is my friend. Why wouldn’t I be okay to see him?”
Cato, seeing straight through my painful lies, frowns. “Sometimes you’re so sad you’re hard to look at. I hope one day you can let go of that fear holding you hostage.”
Pity.
He feels pity for me.
It’s written all over his somber, usually playful face.
“I’m not sad,” I murmur. “I’m just…” Lonely.
“My baby!” a familiar voice shrieks, ending our heart-to-heart. “Get over here and let me look at that hair.”
Dot Rhodes, Cato’s mother, owns the old beauty shop that still maintains its usual clientele despite the new hair salon down the street opening a few weeks ago. Rhodes’ Beauty Shop may not have all the bright lights and fancy chairs like Opal Essence has, but it makes up in loyal repeat customers and affordable prices.
She fusses at Cato to find time to come see her for a haircut. I leave them to their private family moment and walk up to our final destination. Brigs Ferry Bay Chamber of Commerce. As I wait for my friend, my eyes catch on the source of all my pain as he crosses the street.