“The Starlight is being demolished? I’d love to live in Sea Blue Beach. I’d skate there all the time.”
“Our skating rink back home closed.”
“Have you seen Harlow Hayes? I heard she lives here.”
“I was hoping to get a glimpse of Harlow Hayes. Supposedly she gained a lot of weight. Welcome to my world.”
The midafternoon rush faded, and Matt stretched out on his cot again. Milo left to answer a call from dispatch. He came back with Dad in tow.
“You want me to bring some of your things from home?” Dad stood at his cell. “Make this feel more like your room?”
“Very funny.” Matt scrambled off the bunk. “How’s Granny?”
“Home, resting. Dr. Peters took a look at her. She hit her head pretty hard, bruised her right arm, but no concussion. No broken bones.”
“I want to file charges against Dale.”
“Actually, Harry’s saying it’s all his fault. He feels horrible. Bodie is on his way to see the judge. Dale is blaming you for everything and pushing for jail time.”
Matt leaned against the cell door. “I’m sorry for all this mess.”
“Don’t be,” Dad said. “I’ve been dying to punch Dale Cranston since high school. But your granny would’ve given me the business. I will say this about you, son, never a dull moment when you’re around. Can we talk about your dramatic entrance and kiss with Harlow... ?”
“I was wondering the same thing.” Harlow stood in the doorway.
“Hey, HH.” Matt gripped the bars. “Dad, can you give us a moment?”
“Seems we’ve played this scene before,” Harlow said when Dad had gone. “Me out here, you in there.”
“This wasn’t how I saw things going.”
“You’re an actor. Play out the real scene for me.” She perched on the edge of Milo’s desk. “Does this theater have popcorn?”
“Harlow, that wasn’ttheMatt Knight kissingtheHarlow Hayes. It was regular Matt kissing a girl he’s crazy about.”
“Hey, Matt, I was thinking about ordering from the taco truck. Do you—” Milo glanced between the cell and his desk and turned around. “That’s right, I forgot I have lunch with the chief.”
“Milo, man, can you let her into the cell? Please?”
“No can do. It’s against regulations to allow a civilian in a cell with a perp.”
“Milo, you turned the jail into a tourist attraction. I think you can let Harlow in for a few minutes. Please.”
“Five minutes.” He unlocked the door. “If Chief finds out, I’m in deep doo-doo.”
The lock clicked, and a rather shy Harlow joined him on the cot. “Now we’re both on the inside.”
Matt was unsure if he should hold her hand or just go for it and hold all of her. His buzzing lips made their preference known.
“Xander was here,” she said. “A few weeks ago. He sailed down on his yacht.”
“I see.” Matt’s lips buzzed a little less.
“Xander’s influence played a role in me being named MostBeautiful Woman in the World.” She shifted around so her back rested against the cold, brick wall. “He didn’t mean to tell me, but in his zeal to prove he loved me, he leaked a few details.”
“Influenced? How?”
Harlow made a face.
