She’d run out of chocolate powder at home. Who knew how that had happened—she usually had a backup for her backup container, but she’d been distracted at the grocery store last week.
Mrs. Gerald smiled at her from behind the counter. “Addie, good timing. I just received an order of salted caramel hot chocolate.”
“Oh my God, Mrs. Gerald, I could kiss your feet.”
The café owner chuckled. “No kisses needed. A large?”
“The biggest to-go cup you have. And a cappuccino, please.”
“Won’t be long.”
The cappuccino was for Ellis. She glanced over to see him standing outside the café, under the small shade. They’d gotten into a good routine this last week. He tailed her. She bought him coffee, sometimes pie, and all was right in the world. He’d even given her some true crime podcast recommendations. Not that she’d be listening to them anytime soon—it wasn’t really her thing.
Not only had she felt safer with Ellis this last week, but she and Noah were also making progress. He was calling more. Texting every day. She hadn’t seen him, but it was progress.
When the drinks were done, she paid and turned, only to almost stumble straight into a woman.
“Cass. Hey.” Since Rhett’s death, she’d texted Cass a couple of times and even tried to call her once, but she hadn’t received a response. “How have you been?”
Cass’s brows lifted. “How have I been? We found Rhett’s dead body at the park.ThenI got a warning from the sheriff’s department for not disclosing all of the information from the day of the climb.”
Addie glanced around, noticing people at the nearby tables staring at them. Not a surprise, considering the volume and harshness of Cass’s voice. “I’m sorry. But why didn’t you just tell them what you knew?”
“Because then they’d think it was Rhett, but he had nothing to do with what happened on the wall.”
Addie felt like telling her that his prints were found on the container of battery acid. She just stopped herself. And in any case, it didn’t excuse lying to the authorities.
“It doesn’t matter anymore though, does it?” Cass continued. “Because he’s dead.”
Addie swallowed hard. “It was also hard for me and Jules—”
“Oh, was it? Were you both in a relationship with him too?”
She frowned. “So you were actually dating?”
“Yes. Why is that so hard to believe?”
Maybe because originally, she’d called him a man-child, then they were sleeping together, but now they’d been dating? “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you two were so close.”
“Are you sorry because I lost him or sorry because you’re responsible for his death?”
She flinched but didn’t have time to respond before Cass bumped her shoulder hard and stepped to the counter.
Addie turned, wanting to say more. Wanting to defend herself. But what was the point? Cass obviously believed what she wanted to believe.
With a sigh, she walked around her. That’s when she realized Ellis had stepped inside and was only a foot away.
“Everything okay?” Ellis asked when she reached him.
“Not really. But she’s just angry.” She handed him a coffee. “Here you go.”
“Ah, the best part of my day. Thank you.”
“How else am I supposed to thank you for babysitting me?”
He chuckled as they stepped outside. “No thank you needed. I told you, it’s easy.”
Easy or boring? Because it looked boring. But she was glad he didn’t hate it.
