Rorie.
Her name claws through my chest.
It’s been nine months. Nine goddamn months.
And still, she’s everywhere.
Everywhere and nowhere.
I push my plate toward Tammy without a word and sit back, scrubbing a hand down my face like that might erase the ache rising up in my throat.
Watching me, she chews thoughtfully. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I reach for my napkin, pretending to wipe my mouth instead of pulling myself together. “Just thinking.”
“About?” she presses, casual but not really.
I shake my head once. “Nothing.”
She doesn’t buy it, not even a little, but she lets it go. For now.
Instead, she leans forward, her mischievous grin slipping back into place. “So. Ready for our big adventure?”
I sigh. Long and suffering. “Tammy, we came to Seattle for work. Not to go sightseeing.”
“Well, I’m forcing you to do both. So get your ass in the car, Boss.”
I tip my head back against the booth with a groan. “What the hell are we driving three hours for?”
Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she winks, like she’s Indiana Jones about to uncover a national treasure.
“A very important piece of Washington history.”
I roll my eyes but shove out of the booth after her anyway.
One time. I’ll humor heronetime.
Because honestly, I could use a distraction. Even if some part of me knows, no matter how far we drive, there are some things you can’t outrun.
Three hours later…
I’ll give her this—Port Townsend’s a hell of a lot prettier than I expected.
It looks like the setting of an old novel: cobblestone streets, faded brick storefronts, salt-stained windows, and a harbor lined with boats rocking lazily in the gray, misty afternoon. This place doesn’t just move slower, it dares you to slow down too. To breathe. To feel.
Tammy parks the car and waves her hand toward the windshield.“Ta-da! Welcome to Port Townsend! Population: Charming as hell.”
I’m glancing around, pretending to be unimpressed. “Great. You’ve kidnapped me. Can we go now?”
She groans, thwacking the back of her hand against my chest. “For the love of overpriced coffee, will you justrelax? Enjoy life for once?”
I cross my arms, still skeptical. “Tammy. We have work to do.”
“No,” she says, grinning. “Youhave work to do. I, on the other hand, am on a very important mission.”
She flashes me a Cheshire cat smile. “Now humor me. Or I’ll start unionizing.”
Knowing Tammy she means it.
