“No problem. You girls enjoy.”
“So how much longer do you have for your lunch break?” Madison sips her coffee.
I bring the mug to my lips, savoring the warmth and the familiar smell of white chocolate mocha. It’s become my comfort drink, something Lance never knew about because I only discovered it after moving here.
Tapping my phone, I check the time.
“I have about thirty minutes left.” I press the button on the side of my phone, locking the screen. “Not like I have to drive far.” Work is literally walking distance from the Cozy Cup, which is perfect.
She shakes her head. “So did you hear about the music festival coming up?”
“Yeah, I don’t know if I want to go.” I hesitate. “I know I always say we’ll go every year, but—”
“Alicat, you're a free woman now," Madison interrupts. “For a year now. You're allowed to have fun, you know.”
The nickname warms me despite myself.
I like Pine Hollows way better than the city with constant rush hour traffic. And better than Creeksprings, where Lance might be around any corner.
We finish our coffees, gathering our things to head out to our vehicles. The humid Minnesota air hits my face like a wall—immediately sweltering.
“It’s always nice to have lunch with you, girl.” Madison hugs me, walking toward her car parked right behind mine.
Madison's car disappears around the corner. A black SUV creeps past. Slow. Too slow. Lance drove a blue truck. This wasn't him. But that didn't mean he didn't know someone with an SUV. I couldn't see through the tinted windows. My hand tightens on my keys until the edges bite into my palm. I make myself look at the license plate, try to memorize it, but there's nothing there. The SUV rolls past. Didn't speed up. Probably just paranoia.
I unlock my car, slide inside, and lock the doors immediately. But as I start the engine, I check my rearview mirror. Check it again. The street is empty.
So why does it feel like someone is still watching?
Chapter 2
Sawyer
“Ugh,gross,Mom.”Thecoins stick to my palm.
“Hey, people at this place give you all sorts of nasty change.” Mom nods knowingly. “Just be glad it’s not bra money.”
She's probably right. She would know—she’s probably seen it all running the town’s most famous coffee shop.Well, the town’s only coffee shop.Surprisingly, I haven’t seen as much as the cops you see on TV. That’s the perk of working in a small town like Pine Hollows—nothing insane really ever happens here.
“Well, I appreciate it.” I grasp my free hot chocolate out of her hands. Yeah, I’m thirty-five and still drink hot chocolate instead of coffee.Sue me.If I drank as much coffee as I do hot chocolate, my heart would beat straight out of my chest.
“Love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too.”
Walking out the door of the Cozy Cup, I see Chris playing on his phone in the patrol car. He’s either beating his highest score on Candy Crush or texting a bunch of college girls.
“Did your mom give you enough?” Chris runs his hands through his sandy blonde hair as I get in the passenger seat.
“No, just some sticky change.” I show him the coins, placing them in a styrofoam cup we keep in the console.
Chris locks his phone, slides it into his uniform pocket. “You know, if you want the bank's coffee, you don't have to do a transaction.”
“Yeah, but it feels rude to just go in there, get coffee, and leave.” I shrug, buckling my seat belt. I get that way in any store, even if I don't find anything. Always feel like I look guilty, so I buy something—even if it’s just a candy bar or drink.
“People do it all the time, Sawyer.” Chris reaches for his seat belt, the buckle clicking into place. “People your age.”
“Very funny.”
