But this? This was just Officer Bennett doing his duty. No one would judge him for keeping a crime victim safe.
Grace had to remember that who she was hadn’t changed. And who she was wasn’t good enough for perfect, beloved, town golden boy Luke fucking Bennett.
The cruiser pulled up to the curb in front of the school.
Luke put it in park and turned toward her. "Grace?—"
She grabbed her bag and shoved the door open. She climbed out and slammed the door harder than necessary.
Grace didn't look back. She walked toward the school with her head high and her shoulders squared. The morning air was cool against her flushed cheeks.
She could feel his eyes on her.
She didn't turn around.
She reached the front steps. Climbed them. Pulled open the heavy door.
Only then—hand on the door, safe threshold beneath her feet—did she glance back.
The cruiser was still there.
Luke sat behind the wheel, watching. Waiting.
Making sure she got inside safely.
Grace's chest tightened.
She stepped through the door and let it close behind her, cutting off his view.
CHAPTER 28
Luke
The morning sunslanted gold across the grass. Booth frames were half-assembled. Folding tables stacked near the gazebo.
Crystal Lake setting up for the fall festival.
Eleanor Matthews stood near the gazebo steps, clipboard tucked under her arm, issuing instructions with serene authority.
“Officer Bennett,” she called warmly when she spotted him. “Just the man I was hoping to see.”
“Ma’am,” he said.
She gestured toward the half-built stage. “We were just discussing the marshal processional. You’ll start at the corner of Main and Alder, walk ahead of the high school band, pause here for photographs.”
Walk ahead.
Be seen.
Luke nodded.
The gazebo behind her was already draped in deep red bunting. Someone had hung a banner that readCRYSTAL LAKE FALL FESTIVALin looping gold script.
“You’ve been such a steady presence for this town,” she said. “People notice that.”
People always noticed in Crystal Lake.
Who you dated. Who you didn’t. Who stood beside you in public. Who didn’t.
