Ford blinks then shrugs. “I mean, I guess.”
I wave to the waitress passing. “Can I have a Chardonnay; I think my iced tea isn’t going to cut it right now.” I take a deep breath then briefly catch Declan’s gaze directed at me which causes my body temperature to rise. “I thought I was having dinner with Ford, then by coincidence, our local sheriff showed up.” I smile tightly to the table but feel a need to subtly explain to Declan.
“Well, this is fun,” Carter lies, as the atmosphere of our table shifted the moment Declan showed up.
“Thrilling.” Declan’s gaze is a dagger at the sheriff.
“So, you’re in Lake Spark tonight?” I ask Declan, confused because he told me that he would be here tomorrow.
“Yeah, sorry to crash this fun-filled evening, but your brother and I only want the best for you. Have to check the sheriff’s intentions, don’t we?” Declan offers a sweet vindictive smile.
Ford passes the breadbasket to Carter. “Forgive my friend. He looks at Violet like a sister, it’s kind of hockey-team code. He’s protective like me. But I’m sure the localsheriffis not the guy we need to worry about.” Ford shoots Declan a warning glare.
“You know I’m off duty. I’m just Carter now.” The poor guy seems to grasp the awkward situation that he unknowingly volunteered for.
“Lucky us,” Declan mumbles. I kick his leg under the table because he isn’t helping.
My wine arrives, and I puff out a breath before taking a long sip. “Uhm, so uh, Carter, what happened to the kindergarten teacher? I thought you were dating her for a while.”
“She moved to Indiana about a year ago. You know, I can tell this evening kind of caught you off guard. I thought you weren’t seeing anyone, and we run into one another all the time, then Ford mentioned we should all hang tonight…” Bless Carter for trying to smooth this over.
“Cute,” Declan mutters under his breath.
“My sister isn’t seeing anyone, otherwise I wouldn’t dare try anything like this,” Ford mentions.
I want to scream that I’m taken, but the man next to me is giving no indication that I can. Another sip of wine calls my name instead.
Ford’s phone dings, and he pulls it out. “Sorry, I need to take this, it’s Brielle. Be right back.” Ford leaves me in the shark tank with the man I want who is emotionally unavailable and a man who wants to date me.
None of us take notice to Ford leaving, instead Carter bounces his gaze between Declan and me.
“What would a first date with you look like?” Declan asks. “Did Ford already check that off his list?” He’s stiff beside me.
Carter smiles and doesn’t seem tense about the atmosphere that could be cut by a knife. I guess the police academy taught him to stay cool under pressure. “I’d probably go traditional. Flowers, dinner, a rowboat out on the lake.”
“She owns a flower shop. What kind of man buys flowers for the woman who sells flowers?” Declan counters.
I roll my eyes, wishing I could be swallowed whole by the ground underneath me.
Carter leans back on the chair. “The kind of man who seems to be more observant than Ford. You obviously feel you have a claim to Violet here. Clearly, something is going on between you two.” Carter doesn’t seem fazed and continues to smile softly.
Declan looks at me with serious eyes, and I know mine are pleading with him… and it’s not to keep our secret, which surprises me.
My brother reappears in my sideview. “Sorry, I need to run. Wyatt isn’t falling asleep, and Brielle is exhausted,” Ford informs us all as he arrives back. He looks up from his phone and notices that the mood has shifted. “Drinks will have to wait. Declan, want to walk with me out?”
Carter cuts in, “You know, I need to run. I got a call from the station.” He begins to stand.
“Oh, that’s a shame. Maybe you two can meet for lunch or something soon,” Ford suggests.
Carter looks at Declan for a few ticks then to me, yet we say nothing. He’s giving us an opportunity to come clean, but we don’t. “See you around, Violet.”
“I’ll call you.” Ford waves goodbye to me. “I’ll settle the bill on my way out. Make sure she’s okay to drive home,” he requests of Declan who nods once.
A few moments later, Declan and I are alone at the table, but I don’t want to talk to him. A fury that I didn’t know was brewing comes to the surface inside of me.
“I’m fine. I didn’t even finish my wine.” I grab my purse and stand. “I’m leaving.”
“Why? You seem angry, when I’m the one who should be pissed.”
