“You said that,” she cried. “I said I’d bring it up in the future because you’re an expert-level dick! Guess what? It’s the future and your fire hydrant exploded on us.”
“I really do not think we can blame him for the location of the fire hydrant.” Muffy pointed out the window, toward the police cruisers. “Considering that beer dude is submitting to asecondfield sobriety test right now, I’m not sure we can pin this one on Beckett.”
“I don’t care.” As Sunny spoke, the dogs circled her, nudging her legs and whining as they went. “I want my happy accidents back. I’m done with the disasters.”
“Babe,” Meara said, wading toward her, “we need to get you away from all these flashing lights. I know the firefighters are hot but we don’t want to have to call them in here for you.”
“I’m all right,” Sunny argued. The dogs continued fussing. The chocolate Lab bit at her skirt, trying to tug her to the floor.
I glanced back at the firetrucks and police vehicles. Those lights. They’d trigger a seizure—if she wasn’t already on her way to one.
“Get her out of here,” I barked. “Go to the office or patio.Now.”
“Do not come in here and tell me what to do,” Sunny roared. “I do not need—”
I put the table down and crossed the narrow space toward her. “If you think for one second that I won’t pick you up and carry you out of here, you’re dead wrong and I fucking dare you to test me.”
Meara looped her arm around Sunny’s waist and pulled her backward. “As much as I’d like to see that,” she said, “we’ve had enough drama for today. Come along, babe.”
I pulled my phone out and tapped Rainey’s number while Meara guided Sunny into the windowless office behind the kitchen. The call went straight to voicemail and I hung up. It took everything inside me to stay here when I wanted to follow them into that office and rage at her about taking better care of herself. This was out of hand and she knew it. Shehadto know it.
But I also wanted to go in there and rest her head on my lap and tell her I’d keep her safe as long as she needed, and that confused the hell out of me. If I was being honest,thatwas the reason I couldn’t tear my feet away from this floor. I could vent my frustrations at her for a few minutes and risk nothing, but offering her comfort would change everything.
It would also prove that I was a goddamn liar because the only mistake I’d made was that I hadn’t kissed her last night. Even if it upended everything, complicated everything, ruined everything.
“So about those minions,” Muffy said. “Sooner would be a lot better than later, if the offer still stands.”
“Yeah,” I said, still staring at the office door.
“Meara will tell us if there’s a problem,” Muffy said. “We’d know.”
“Right.” Another moment passed but I couldn’t look away. My stomach was on the floor. I had half a mind to yank some of those firefighters in here and send a medic to check on Sunny. “Beth? Can you—would you just make sure—if there’s anything or—I don’t know. Could you—”
“You got it,” she said, splashing down the dark hallway.
I fired off a message to Rainey while keeping one eye on the office door.
“I’m gonna bake bread for you,” Muffy said, pushing more water out the door. “Is there a certain kind you like best? Never mind. Everyone loves my sweet oat bread. I’ll bake some sweet oat for you and you’ll love it.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
“Yeah, I do. My mother has never once allowed anyone to do anything for her without thanking them with copious amounts of food. I don’t know if that’s a Cape Verdean custom or simply the way she interacts with the world but it’s ingrained in me too. As far as I know, the only Scottish custom my dad carries on is an aversion to sunlight.”
Bethany peeked her head out of the office and gave a thumbs-up.
My whole body sagged in relief.
“Aside from my obsessive need to acknowledge and appreciate every little thing, you’re a nice guy in sneaky, low-key ways and you need some fresh bread for breakfast.”
I glanced at her as I hefted another table. “I’m not.”
“Yeah,” she said, starting another pass with the broom. “I guess you’re right. You probably have minions all over town, just waiting around for things to go sideways so they can swoop in and clean it up for you.”
I carried the table outside, saying, “Look, Muffy—”
“You probably help out at the cheese store and the burger place too. Right? Since you’re not a nice guy and you definitely do not jump in to take care of the people who are important to you, I have to assume you’re hauling damp furniture around for everyone.” She waved me off when I started to respond. “Don’t try to argue with me. I know I’m right.”
With that, I moved another table outside. Because she wasn’t right.
