“Arnie had the hospital call me,” Percy said and stepped into the cottage without being invited. “I took a late flight from Sarasota and got home last night, but you weren’t there. I assumed you were out, but when I woke up this morning, you still weren’t home. Itexted, but you didn’t answer, so I thought I’d check the library. It’s locked. Why are you staying in here?”
Stella babbled, “Late night at the library, and the weather was bad, so—”
“Who are you?” Percy asked, catching sight of Jack. “Stella, tell me you’re not shacking up with boyfriends at Arnie’s.”
“What? No!” Stella protested.
Percy glanced around the room at their scattered clothing and the rumpled blanket on the couch. “Stella,” he said, his voice taking on a disappointed edge.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Stella said quickly.
“Yeah? So those aren’t your clothes on the floor and nothing happened on the couch and you’re not having breakfast in your morning-after pj’s?” Percy asked.
“I’m Jack.” He held out his hand, but Percy didn’t move to shake it.
“I’m Percy. Stella’sbrother. You know this isn’t her place, don’t you? It belongs to the librarian who’s in the hospital recovering from a heart attack.” Percy’s gaze lingered on Jack’s face. “Do I know you?”
“Possibly,” Jack said. “I know this is Arnie’s home. We’ve been friends for a long time.”
Percy cocked an eyebrow. “He doesn’t mind you being in his house?”
Jack shook his head. “Nope.”
“Where do I know you from? School?”
Stella stepped between them. “Percy, I’m sorry to have worried you, but you could have texted me yesterday to tell me you were coming.”
“It was a last-minute decision,” Percy said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your party.”
“Oh, give it a rest,” Stella snapped. “It’s not like you’ve never had a girl on the couch before. I’m not a child, and I don’t have time for your judgment. I’m heading to the house to get changed and ready for work. With Arnie out, the library is a lot to handle, and we’re preparing for the festival this weekend. So if you don’t mind, stuff your disdain for a while and find something else to do, like go visit Arnie.”
Percy’s shocked expression held him quiet for a few seconds. “I suppose you don’t want me to mention that you’re using his place for sleepovers.”
Stella waved her hands in the air. “Do what you want, Percy, but I suggest you quit acting like such a brat. I’m happy to mention to Arnie that you and your friends are the ones who set fire to his favorite tree beside the cottage in high school.”
“You wouldn’t,” Percy breathed in disbelief.
Stella opened the door and pointed. “Try me. Now go see Arnie. I’ll be in the library later if you want to have a civil conversation.”
Percy walked out the door, shaking his head. “What has gotten into you, Stella? You’re acting like someone I don’t even know.”
Frustration flared hot. “This might come as a surprise to you, Percy, but honestly, you’re right. You don’t know me very well.”
Percy’s shoulders straightened. “Is this about the Miami job?”
It was way too early in the morning to have a life discussion with Percy, especially after the night she’d shared with Jack. “I don’t want to do this right now,” she said. “But yes, that’s one indicator.”
“Doyoueven know what you want?” Percy asked, his voice less harsh.
Stella gripped the edge of the door. “Actually, yes. And I’m getting there.”
He scrubbed his hand through his curls. After casting a side-eye at Jack, he sighed in surrender. “I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.”
Stella half smiled at Percy and closed the door. Jack stared at her with a grin of his own.
“Another plot twist. Remind me how everything is going to be okay,” she said.
“After everything we’ve handled together so far, we’ve got this in the bag.”
