“Tell me.”
Elle sighed. “Since that car tailed us, Jace has been…distant.”
Sadie frowned. “Distant how?”
“It’s just little things. He hasn’t been smiling or cracking his usual jokes. He used to stay in bed and we’d snuggle in the morning, but he’s been getting up early to work out. It kind of feels like he’s…pulling away.” Man, that hurt to say out loud.
“Oh, Elle…he’s probably scared about something happening to you. Someonedidtry to kill you. I know they’re not around anymore, but now with this woman out there…it’s a lot.”
“I know. But I guess a part of me, the insecure part, is worried that…”
“What?”
Elle tightened her hold on the mug. “It just scares me. I’ve always had this idea that he’s way out of my league.”
Sadie opened her mouth, but Elle spoke first.
“Jace has done so much to convince me that isn’t true. Over the years, I’ve also done a lot of work on myself. It’s just, after these last few days, those old insecurities have started to creep back in.”
Sadie reached across the table and slipped her hand over Elle’s. “Hey. I’ve seen the way that guy looks at you. When you’re in the room, you’reallhe sees. Trust him to stick around.”
“Thank you. Idoneed to trust him. I obviously just like to overthink everything.”
“Oh, I know all about that. I’m a queen overthinker. It’s a woman’s prerogative. Maybe talk to him tonight?”
That was the thing, she’d beentryingto talk to him. And she always got the same response. That he was fine. That everything would be okay.
Sadie sipped her coffee. “Did Eastern tell you he questioned Alice’s family and they told him she was on a retreat?”
“Yeah, but they couldn’t tell him which retreat she’s on.” A retreat would be convenient seeing as she wouldn’t be able to answer her phone. She shook her head. “Sorry, we’ve been talking about me this entire time. Tell me about you. How’s it going with Eastern and how’s beautiful Avery?”
A soft smile immediately curved Sadie’s lips, and for the next ten minutes, Elle listened as Sadie spoke about her boyfriend and his daughter. She was so happy that her friend had foundlove with Eastern. It was only fitting, seeing as she’d basically nannied his daughter her entire life. They made a beautiful family.
When her break was over, Elle rose and hugged Sadie. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you. And I hope your chat with Jace goes well. I think it will.”
Elle smiled as she pulled back. “Let’s hope so.” She watched as her friend left. She was clearing the table when the door opened after Sadie and Casper stepped in.
Oh, Jesus.What the heck was he doing here? Elle almost rolled her eyes. Would the jerk not just leave her alone?
Of course he walked straight over to her. “Hey, Marshal.”
“What are you doing here, Casper?”
He cocked his head. “Now, I might be wrong, but thisisa public café, is it not?”
This time she did roll her eyes as she grabbed the cups from the table. “So you’re here for coffee?”
“Sure. Why not?”
She rounded the counter, hearing his footsteps close behind her as he stopped on the other side. Molly was making a bagel at the other end of the counter, and there were half a dozen people in the café, but right now, all her focus remained on Casper.
She put the mugs into the sink before turning back to him. “What can I get you?”
He leaned over the counter. “Dunno. What’s good?”
“The coffee. Would you like one to go?”
