Not even when he said those words to me after I’d kissed him.
Don’t thank me, Clara. There will be a price for this.
What could he have meant by that?
Maybe it was a good thing he’d said that. It had pulled me out of the bliss that was our first kiss and brought me slamming back into reality. That kiss had been innocent and sweet—literally, his lips tasted like candy cane—but from that simple touch I knew I wanted more of him.Neededmore of him. I’d been about to invite him inside on some stupid pretense like getting him to help me with cleaning up the kitchen.
But then he’d said what he said, and I couldn’t help but get sweeping chills that swallowed me whole, sinking down to my marrow. It was that same demeanor he’d had ever since we were kids that scared everyone else off.
To this day, it only intrigued me.
Now that Hogan was gone, I had the ability to figure out the mystery that was Bastion Weber.
Finally, giving up on getting anything close to a decent night’s sleep, I did as Bastion instructed and I called the police to report that Hogan was missing. I was so anxious and scared, my voice shook and Peggy, the dispatcher who I’d been in 4H with in middle school, assured me that we’d find him.
When the two police men arrived, also two people I was on a first name basis, they consoled me and told me we’d find him.
It was a good thing I’d kept mine and Hogan’s problems a secret. Everyone thought we were still madly in love. There was no reason to suspect that I’d murder my high-school sweetheart and love of my life. Not when I’d gone to crazy lengths to ensure my life seemed nothing short of magical. It had been a survival mechanism for me, but now that I’d murdered Hogan Humphries, it had its extra benefits.
The investigation wrapped up after a few hours. No conclusions were drawn but I didn’t miss the looks swapped between the police officers. They knew Hogan had been eaten by the hogs, and by the sympathetic pats on my shoulder and the invites to their houses to have Christmas dinner with their families, they didn’t suspect me in the slightest.
The next few days were quiet. The only people that came into the flower shop were the occasional tourist, but mostly looky-loo neighbors who’d heard the news and came in to give their sympathies.
Bastion had instructed me the night he’d helped me cover up the murder that I needed to lay low and not do anything out ofthe ordinary for a few days. I tried to read, and I couldn’t focus on the words. I tried to make new arrangements, but they were uninspired and clearly lacked my interest.
I pulled out my phone and flipped to Bastion’s contact. I’d him saved as Tree Vendor since Hogan went through my phone and got angry every time he saw a guy’s name in my contacts. As if being on a first name basis with a guy I’d known since elementary school made me a disloyal partner.
I stared at the number on the screen. Texting him wasn’t out of the ordinary, not if it was about work.
Clara
Hey. Haven’t heard from you in a bit. Got a new delivery for me?
I stared at the screen, waiting for the three little dots.
Bastion
No, Clara. You’re well stocked. Checked this morning.
Why didn’t you come in and say hi?
I’m busy. Planning a weekend getaway with someone.
With a heavy swallow, I stared blankly at the screen, reading the short text more times than I could count. A weekend getaway? Since when did Bastion go anywhere? I guess I wasn'tinvolved in his life. I didn't know anything about his personal life other than that he lived alone and didn't socialize much outside of work. I'd just assumed he didn't get out much. The part of his text that stumped me most was the part about him going away with someone else. Who? He didn't have family in the area anymore. As far as I knew, he wasn't seeing anyone.
Fuck.Had I kissed a taken man?No, Bastion couldn't have a girlfriend. He would have mentioned her. Even if he hadn't, I would have heard about it. This was a small town. People talked. A hermit like Bastion Weber having a romantic partner of any kind would be worthy of the front page of the Gazette.
This wasn't any of my business. I should have just put my phone down and got back to work. But I couldn't, not with this burning curiosity eating me alive.
Oh? This weekend?
Yes, Clara.
This weekend was Christmas. So whoever he was taking this weekend getaway with, it had to be someone special. Someone close.
Who is this someone?
I tapped out my response and added a smiley face emoji to emphasize how nonchalant I was about it, even though my thumbs were practically sweating as I waited for his answer. I waited. And waited.
