Avery grinned as they stepped into the café. Yeah, she knew she’d won that one. She’d probably always win, didn’t matter if they were talking about marshmallows or the last sip of water in a drought.
“Stop contacting me and leave me alone.”
His head whipped around at that voice.
Sadie.
She sat by the window, phone in her hand, and damn she looked just as good as always. Her dark hair was down, falling around her shoulders in soft waves, and her skin was so silky smooth, all he wanted to do was touch it.
Avery squealed when she saw her and raced across the room to throw her arms around Sadie’s shoulders. He was slower to close the distance between them.
“Hey, baby girl.” Sadie’s voice was muffled, her face in Avery’s hair. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
Avery pulled away. “We’re having a daddy-daughter day. We hiked through the forest. And Uncle Kay joined us for a while and let me go on his shoulders.”
“Oh my gosh, what a fun morning. Uncle Kay sounds like the best!”
Avery laughed. “He’s always trying to be better than Uncle Cody.”
Eastern ruffled Avery’s hair. “And Ave takes full advantage. I’m going to order our drinks. Do you need anything, Sadie?”
“No thanks, I’ve already ordered.” Their gazes held a beat longer than necessary before he turned toward the counter.
Elle tossed a smile at him over her shoulder. “Hey, Eastern. How are you?”
“Good. How are you doing after everything?”
That smile slipped just a fraction, but he noticed. “I’m okay. Glad you closed the case.”
She didn’t need to say her friend’s name for him to know she was talking about Macy. The investigation had been long and frustrating, with barely any evidence to go by. Hell, her killer had almost slipped through his fingers. If Tilly hadn’t caught her trying to rob the café, she might have.
“Have you hired someone?” he asked, careful not to use the word replace.
Elle turned toward the register. “I have. But it’s not the same. No one will be.” She blew out a breath. “Anyway, what can I get you? Medium dark roast for you and a hot chocolate for little miss?”
“Yeah, that would be great. Oh, and—”
“Two marshmallows?” Elle laughed at his nod. “You got it.”
He handed over his card.
“So…” Elle said slowly. “Kayden just told me Jace will be back soon.”
He nodded. Jace was the youngest of their brothers. He was also the adrenaline junkie and the guy who could never sit still for long. He was finally leaving the Air Force to come home.
“He is. You don’t speak to him anymore?”
During high school, maybe some middle school too, Jace and Elle had been basically inseparable. Never dating but always best friends. Some days, she’d spent more time at their house than her own.
“No, not really.” There was a tinge of something in her voice. Maybe sadness. Maybe regret. Maybe both.
His phone rang from his pocket, and he tugged it out to see it was the station. “Sorry, Elle, I’ve got to take this.”
“Go ahead. I’ll get started on the drinks.”
He stepped away from the counter. “Eastern speaking.”
“Eastern, it’s Daisy. I know, the last person you want to hear from on your day off.”
