“He has three kids,” she whispers, not meeting our eyes.
“Please tell me he’s not married,” Wren says.
“Ewe. No! God, who do you think I am? Your brother?”
“Sorry,” Wren says, raising her hands in surrender. “And let’s not drag my brother into this.”
“Fine.” She sighs. “He’s divorced. His kids are twenty-eight, thirty and thirty-two.”
“Oh, Sarah.” I sigh. “Even his kids are older than you.”
“It’s not like I’m going to marry the guy. It’s just sex, and who cares! Life is too short not to enjoy good dick.”
The chime of the door halts our conversation, and walking towards the counter is Ian. I’m not really wanting to be around him right now, but I put on a fake smile and grab the box of horns I set aside, placing them on the till for him.
“I’m sorry about my earlier comment, Jade. I never meant to upset you. Boss man has been a real dick, so I thought I better apologize. Especially you being his girlfriend and all,” he says with a smirk, sending a flush creeping over my skin.
“Oh. It’s all right,” I tell him, passing him the box.
“Anyways, what do I owe you?” he asks, reaching into his pocket.
“Nothing.” I smile. “It’s on me.”
“Wow. Thanks, Jade. And again, I’m sorry. If it’s any consolation, I think you’re beautiful as a brunette.”
“Thanks,” I say, starting to feel uncomfortable from this hair talk again.
“Well, see you,” he says tapping on the counter before leaving.
“What the heck was that about? What’s wrong with your hair?” Sarah asks with a scrunched nose and crease between her brows.
“Nothing.” I shake my head, staring out the door. “He just made a comment earlier, that’s all.”
“Weird.”
“Okay, and what’s with the girlfriend comment?” Wren asks.
I look at my friends and feel my cheeks start to heat again. “West may have called me his girlfriend.”
“Shut up! That’s so cute,” Sarah squeals. Wren doesn’t say anything, but the smile on her face tells me she’s just as happy as Sarah.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur, and before I know it, we’ve locked up and it’s time to go home.
I’m sitting outside on my back patio enjoying the setting sun, nursing a glass of wine and looking online for tables and chairs for outside the bakery. I ran my idea by Sarah, and she agreed that it’s a great idea. I’m hoping to find some cute Victorian pieces in white. Almost like a French café feel.
My phone vibrates next to me, and a quick glance down shows a number I don’t recognize. Assuming it’s some subscription or bill text, I swipe the phone open to see what it’s about and my breath stops. I drop the phone as if it burnt my hand, and my pulse races, my palms getting sweaty. I swallow back a cry and stare down at the screen.
Unknown: Have you told him yet, Hadley?
I delete the text quickly and pack up my belongings, running into the house and locking the door behind me. I’m not sure what this person wants or who they are, but them having this number and knowing who I am has me spiraling. Between the emails, feeling like I’m being watched, the break in, and now this, it’s time I really do call Nick.
I haven’t seen or spoken to him since the day I graduated from college. He promised me that no one would ever find me or know who I am, so how is this happening?
After googling the number to the station he last worked, I pray he’s still there and dial.
“Carson County Police, how may we assist?”
“Hi. I’m calling to speak with Officer Nick Pierson.”
