“The house is great.”
“Isn’t it? We’re so proud of our little rental portfolio. Twin Waves is really becoming quite the destination, you know. We’ve had the most interesting visitors lately.” She slides the plate across the counter toward me. “Speaking of which—I heard you stopped by that adorable flower shop on the boardwalk today.”
Of course sheheard. It’s been two hours.
“Just helping Dean with some wedding stuff,” I say carefully.
“Oh yes, the wedding! Jo is just the sweetest thing. Those book club ladies are so...” She pauses, searching for the right word. Her smile doesn’t waver, but something flickers behind her eyes. “...devoted to each other.”
“They seem nice.”
“Mmm.” Penelope’s tone suggests she has opinions she’s too polite to share. “And I see there’s a new girl running Eleanor’s shop now. Her daughter, isn’t it? Delilah?”
I take a bite of casserole I don’t taste. “I think so.”
“Poor thing.” Penelope shakes her head with theatrical sympathy. “Starting over at her age. I heard she’s divorced. Small towns do talk.”
A river of cold snakes through my chest. “I wouldn’t know.”
“Of course not. You just met her.” Penelope’s eyes are sharp despite her sugary tone. “She’s pretty, isn’t she? In that...natural sort of way.”
“I didn’t pay attention.”
The lie tastes like ash, but I’m not giving Penelope Waters ammunition. I’ve been famous long enough to recognize when someone’s fishing for gossip, and this woman could teach masterclasses in the art.
“Well.” She pats my arm like I’m a child who’s said something adorable. “You just let me know if you need anything at all. The Mayor and I are right next door. I mean that literally—our back porches practically touch.”
“I’ve noticed.”
If she catches the dryness in my voice, she ignores it. “We should do dinner sometime! I’ll invite some of the more...appropriate people in town. Get you properly introduced.”
I have no idea what “appropriate” means in Penelope-speak, but I’m certain it’s not a compliment to whoever doesn’t make the cut.
“That’s kind of you.”
“It’s nothing. We take care of our own here in Twin Waves.” She gathers her casserole dish—empty now, since apparently I’m keeping the leftovers whether I want them or not. “Oh, before I forget—would you mind terribly if I took a quick photo? My daughter follows your music, and she would just die if she knew you were staying next door.”
I don’t point out that this is the fourth photo this week. I just smile andlet her snap a selfie with me in the background looking like a man who’s accepted his fate.
“Perfect!” She examines the screen with satisfaction. “You’re such a good sport, Levi. Not like some celebrities who think they’re too important for their fans.”
“Never too important for fans,” I say, because it’s true and also because agreeing with Penelope is the fastest way to get her out of my house.
“I knew I liked you.” She heads for the door, then pauses with her hand on the frame. “Word of advice? Some people in this town like to...collect newcomers. Make them feel welcome, then turn on them when it suits their purposes. You seem like a sweet man. I’d hate to see you get caught up in any drama.”
She says it like a warning. Like she’s protecting me from something.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You do that. Bye now!”
The door closes behind her. I stand in my beautiful empty kitchen and wonder what on earth that was about.
Then I scrape the casserole into the trash and go back to not writing songs.
Dean showsup at seven with a six-pack and the expression of a man who knows exactly what he did.
“Before you say anything,” he starts.
