“We could skip dinner.”
“We could,” she agreed.
“But we won’t.”
She laughed. “No. But that doesn’t mean there can’t be dessert after.”
The look on his face made her glad she’d said it. “I like the way you think.”
She reached for her coat, but he was already holding it open for her. She slipped her arms in, picked up her purse, and they headed out. Cole took her keys, locked the door, handed them back, and took her hand. They went down the steps together, through the lot, and into the warm light of the diner.
After dinner they walked to Cole’s truck. He opened her door and leaned in and kissed her, and shecupped his cheek in her hand and let it last.
“Let’s go to Dewey’s for a while. But I want you to stay tonight. Will you?”
“Of course. I’ll need to pack a bag.”
“You mean you didn’t?” He raised an eyebrow.
Aftyn laughed. “Actually, I did.”
Cole chuckled. “Smart woman.”
They were heading toward Dewey’s when they passed the motel and Aftyn sat up straight.
“Pull in.”
“What?”
“Avery and Judd. Please, Cole.”
He glanced over. “You sure about this?”
“Yes.” She already had her phone out and was dialing Sam, who picked up on the second ring and told her he’d have a deputy there shortly.
Cole eased the truck into the lot and stopped a short distance from where Avery and Judd stood. They were wrapped up in each other and hadn’t looked up.
“Aftyn.”
“No.” She pushed the door open and stepped out.
She crossed the cracked asphalt with purpose, her bootheels sharp against the pavement. She could hear Cole behind her and then she didn’t, and she knew without looking that he’d stopped and was letting her have this. She walked until she was a few feet from her sister and stopped.
Judd saw her first. Then Avery looked up, following his eyes, and the color left her face so fast it was almost satisfying.
“Aftyn.” Her voice caught. Her manicured fingers tightened on her purse strap. “What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing here, Avery?” Shekept her voice level. “You stole my money. You stole my identity. Did you think I’d just let that go?”
Avery pulled herself up, her silk blouse shifting with the movement. “So, you’re going to report me?”
The smirk that followed made Aftyn’s palm itch in a way it never had before. She had never hit anyone in her life. Her sister was testing that record.
Judd stepped closer, his frame cutting into her space. “You won’t do a damn thing.”
“Back off.” Cole’s voice came quiet from behind her, but there was nothing soft in it.
Judd turned with a sneer. “Who do you think you’re talking to, cowboy?”
