Collum Byrne was arrested later that day for attempting to “free” Willard by driving a lawn mower into the police station wall. He sprained his wrist.
COLE
When the truth about Eli Bailey’s murder broke the surface, the town mourned and raged. Many residents in Baywood had been pawns in Willard’s power games, but Eli Bailey had paid the ultimate price, trying to do the right thing.
Following Saturday, the citizens gather to celebrate and to remember. The square is busier than it’s been in a long time.
Earl is holding court near a makeshift bake table. “Blueberry Baileys two for the price of one! Justice tastes like Xaden Bailey!” he declares.
Xaden leans closer, giving me one of those lazy grins that always messes with my head. “You’re the only one who’s tasted me,” he murmurs, smug. “Do my lips taste like justice?”Oh my God.
I blush, and Xaden laughs quietly. Then I surprise him, and me — and a table of church ladies — by pressing a quick kisson his mouth. “Definitely justice but also a hint of arrogance,” I say loud enough that people turn their heads. One church lady fans herself. Xaden groans, whispering, “You’re killing me.”
Across the square we hear Steve and Ann-Sabrina debating heatedly about movie rights.
“This could easily be made into a movie”, Steve says thoughtfully. “Maybe even a trilogy. Dirty sheriff, arrested. Undercover hero coming back with a vengeance, saving the day. An awkward singer, pining after—”
“But who plays who?” Ann-Sabrina interrupts. “We need a casting committee!”
I huff. “An awkward singer?” I repeat, outraged. “I’m going to tell Steve what’s what.”
“Of course you are,” Xaden says solemnly and gently brushes a curl off my forehead.
“I’ll cameo as myself,” Steve announces. “I’ll be the beloved comic relief.”
“You’re not beloved and definitely not a relief,” Harold cuts in. He’s been hovering near his precious bulletin board. “While we’re on the topic, consider this my official decree. Any and all movie rights and casting discussion concerning town hero Xaden Bailey needs to stop, effective immediately.”
“Consider this my official decree, Harold Bramble: you need to shut up, effective immediately,” Dorothy says.
A noise escapes my throat — half-snort, half-giggle.
XADEN
Cole’s mom came to the square to pick up Noah for a few hours. As soon as we’ve watched them get into the car, I pull Cole into a quiet corner behind Baywood Beans.
I need to kiss him. Right now. Without the whole town watching and making notes for the movie script.
“Hey,” I say softly.
Cole looks up. “Hey.” He still looks a bit affronted. “An awkward singer… like I was a chipmunk or something.”
“You are much cuter than a chipmunk”, I say solemnly and cup Cole’s jaw. “And I wouldn’t want to do this to a chipmunk,” I add.
Then I kiss him. Because it’s a thing I get to do now. “When you were scowling at their silly movie idea, all I wanted was to kiss that scowl away,” I whisper, mid kiss, and Cole huffs to my mouth.
God, I could just get lost in the way he kisses me.He’s always been shy at first, but when he gets into it, he forgets to be shy. He kisses the same way he sings, actually: it’s beautiful, vulnerable, raw, hot, talented, mesmerizing… and it wrecks me in the most delicious way.
I could spend forever like this. He lifts me up and grounds me at the same time. My life has never made sense without Cole, and I’m not about to go back to pretending it can.
COLE
Fixing Eli Bailey’s house was supposed to be a small affair, but the entire town has shown up to help. By ‘help’, I mean provide an endless stream of commentary, unsolicited advice, and heated opinions on the right shade of blue.
Delilah and Dorothy are the only ones actually helping, because they brought coffee and donuts. Also, Sudoku grids. Noah, mistaking them for coloring pictures, took four and colored all the squares. He is now an honorary member of the Bloom Sudoku club. God help him.
The house is Xaden’s now, as it should be. Dad had paid what was left of the mortgage and put the house in Xaden’s name as a surprise. But then he made the mistake of mentioning this to Earl one morning, and now it’s turned into the usual town chaos.
Everyone is here.
