She presses one palm into an eye socket while clinging to the cat with her other hand. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“We’re coming out this weekend with Levi and Ingrid and their kids, and I’m buying you a beer at the Grog,” Ellie says. “Badasses stick together. Don’t waste one more minute feeling like that asswipe was your fault. Seriously. He’s not worth it. Why do the men never feel as guilty as we do?”
Sloane hugs her cat tighter and huddles into herself as much as she can. “Thank you,” she says again.
“Uh-oh. I think one of the kids just got Wyatt in the bathtub. Gotta go. Davis.Do not be stupid. I’ll call your sister. Don’t think I won’t.”
“Good luck with that,” I reply.
“Don’t underestimate me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Have fun with bath time.”
I disconnect.
Sloane sucks in a shaky, audible breath.
“Backup’s on the way,” Chester calls. “We’re gonna need to get statements from everyone.”
Vinnie’s wandered over from across the street. “I saw someone. You want me to describe him? I’m real good at drawing too. I can take a stab at it. Also, I called the mayor. The new mayor. She’s freaking out and coming over too. Gotta have everyone involved when there’s a crime around here, you know? All hands on deck.”
Sloane sighs again.
I feel that one.
It’s gonna be a long night.
And that’s before the next car that comes screeching to a halt in front of Sloane’s house.
11
Davis
I don’t needto see who’s climbing out of the Audi to know I’m not going to like it.
First, very few people in Shipwreck drive Audis.
Second, even fewer would drive across town for this. Most would walk.
With snacks and drinks.
Bet even Tillie Jean’s walking. Even if she wasn’t mayor, she’s one of Sloane’s tightest friends.
But this car?
This car holds a dude.
A tall, built, thinks-he’s-a-god dude.
“Sloane? What the hell’s going on here?”
She flinches beside me. “Hello, Nigel.”
I scoot closer to her and slip an arm around her.
Gotta play the part.
Ignore thezingracing over my skin from touching her.
