“Want to grab coffee?” Liam asks.
I blink. We’re stopped outside the Honey Crumb.
“Sure.”
The word’s out before I can think better of it. The Honey Crumb is gossip central. If anyone sees me right now, looking like this, they’ll know something’s off. They’ll ask questions. They’ll want to talk abouther.
But backing out now would be worse. Would mean I’m hiding. And I’m not going to hide from my own town because Cara Donovan decided to come back.
The bell chimes when we walk in. Warm air hits my face. The smell of coffee and fresh pastries. Maeve looks up from behind the counter and grins.
“Deputy Thorn. Twice in two days. People are going to start talking.”
“People always talk.” I approach the counter. “Black coffee.”
“Coming right up.” She reaches for a cup, her eyes sharp and knowing. “Heard you had an interesting morning.”
I don’t take the bait. Just pull out my wallet and wait.
The bakery’s half-full. Couple of retirees in the corner booth. A young mom with a toddler by the window. And Mrs. Patterson,because of course Mrs. Patterson is here. She’s always here. I’m pretty sure she has a tracking device that alerts her whenever there’s gossip to be collected.
She waves enthusiastically. I nod. Minimal engagement. That’s the key to surviving this town.
It doesn’t work.
“Nate! Deputy Thorn!” She’s already getting up, shuffling toward me with that determined waddle that means escape is impossible. “I was just telling Martha about your heroics this morning.”
“Heroics?”
“Catching that poor girl before she cracked her head open on the ice.” She beams at me, reaching up to pat my arm. “Very gallant. Very... romantic.”
“It was reflexes. Nothing romantic about it.”
“Mmhm.” The pat turns into a squeeze. “You know, Cara’s become quite successful since she left. A writer, did you know? Very popular books. Very...” She pauses, something mischievous flickering in her eyes. “...detailed.”
I don’t know what that means. Don’t particularly care.
“Good for her.”
“Oh, yes.Verygood.” Her smile widens. “I’m sure you’d find them interesting. Given the subject matter. Chapter seven especially?—”
“Here’s your coffee.” Maeve slides the cup across the counter. There’s something like pity in her expression, which I don’t appreciate.
I take the cup. Reach for my wallet.
The bell chimes behind me.
Every muscle in my body goes rigid.
I don’t need to turn around to know who just walked in. Her scent hits me first. Honey and citrus, sharper now with nerves. It cuts through the coffee and pastry smell, goes straight to thebase of my skull and lights up every alpha instinct I’ve spent ten years trying to bury.
I stay exactly where I am. Keep my eyes forward. Take a slow breath through my mouth instead of my nose.
“Oh, Cara!” Mrs. Patterson waves past me. “We were just talking about you, dear!”
Footsteps behind me. The click of boots on the hardwood floor. Getting closer.
My hand tightens on the coffee cup.
