“Maybe,” I say. “But God, that goes against everything I came here to do.”
Nina’s expression softens. “Sometimes fate has different plans than what we expect. I mean, I thought you were super hot when I first saw you as Ash—before I knew the truth—but instead of whatever that could’ve been, I found an amazing friend.” She reaches across the table, placing her hand over mine. “And I’ll be here for anything you need help with. Okay? Need to break into their homes? I’ll come with you. Need a distraction? I’m your girl. Need someone to hold your hair back after too much wine? I’ve got you.”
“I love that.” I burst out laughing, the tension breaking. “But breaking into their homes isn’t going to be necessary.”
“I don’t know.” Her eyes spark with mischief. “Imagine spying on them to see if they all sleep naked. Tell me you don’t want to see that.”
Heat floods my face immediately. “Oh my God.”
“Come on! I bet they’re all gorgeous naked. Muscles everywhere. And?—”
“Nina!”
She’s laughing now, completely unrepentant. “I’m just saying! If you’re going to investigate them anyway, might as well enjoy the view.”
“I can’t deny that I’ve thought about it,” I admit, my voice dropping lower even though we’re in a corner and no one is paying attention to us. “Have you seen them? Like, really looked at them?”
“Everyone in town has stared at them,” Nina says matter-of-factly. “They’re impossible to ignore. Mason with that whole golden-boy thing he has going on. Dylan and his wild energy. Jasper with those intense eyes that make you feel like he can see straight into your soul. And Slater…” She fans herself dramatically. “That man could growl at me, and I’d say thank you.”
I’m laughing so hard I nearly choke on my coffee. “You’re terrible.”
She grins and takes another bite of her croissant. “So what’s the plan now? You going to keep investigating while simultaneously falling for all four of them? Because that sounds like a recipe for disaster. A sexy, complicated disaster, but still.”
“I don’t know.” I slump back in my chair, the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders. “Last night was supposed to be simple. Have dinner, observe them, get information. Instead, I ended up making out with Jasper like my life depended onit, and now I can’t stop thinking about him. About all of them, honestly.”
“That’s because they’re perfect for you.”
“You don’t know that. I barely know them.”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “But I know what chemistry looks like. And you five have it in spades. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”
“Keep my head down. Focus on the investigation. Try not to get more tangled up than I already am.”
“Good luck with that.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “You’re already tangled, honey.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, both working on our croissants and coffee. The bakery is starting to get busier now, early morning crowd filtering in for their caffeine fixes and breakfast pastries. The smell of fresh bread and brewing coffee fills the air, and there’s a low hum of conversation around us.
Nina glances toward the counter, where her assistant is starting to appear overwhelmed by the line forming.
“I should probably help her,” Nina says reluctantly, finishing the last of her coffee. “She’s new and still learning the register system. Sweet girl, but not the fastest.”
“And I should get to work.” I stand, brushing croissant flakes off Ash’s shirt. “Can’t be late on my second day.”
She gives me a quick hug and then pulls back with a grin.
“Keep in touch. And we should definitely go out for a girls’ night soon. Real girls’ night. No disguises. Just us, wine, and laughter.”
“Yes. I love that idea.”
“You can tell me all about how good a kisser Jasper is.”
“We’ll see.” I’m laughing.
She’s heading back behind the counter, and I’m shaking my head but grinning despite myself.
I push through the front door of the bakery into the cool morning air. The town is waking up properly now, shops opening, people walking to work, cars driving past on the main street. There’s been snow all over the place since last night.
I walk toward the Wilde Charters office, reminding myself that I shouldn’t let guilt trip me. I reach the office and take a deep breath before pushing through the door. Time to be Ash again.
