“Hey, Jess.” I turn around to find Amy and Em standing next to me. “The girls are meeting some more people at the Scoops. You okay if we go with them?”
“Sure.” I pull them both into a hug. “Have fun. Send me the pictures from the homecoming.”
“Or, you know, you could come and help us get ready?” Emily asks hopefully.
“I wish. I’m working that day, so you better be careful of what you’re doing.” I wag my finger at them as a warning. “I don’t want to see you in my ER.”
At that, both girls roll their eyes and groan out a “Yes, Mom.”
“These girls will be the death of me, I swear,” I mutter under my breath, shaking my head as the doors close behind the group, leaving the space in blissful silence.
Becky hums softly. “It comes with having younger siblings.”
Her comment brings the image of Matthew to my mind. That intense look in his eyes. The way his hands felt on my body. That damn light.
He might not have admitted it, but I know he’s the one who installed the automatic light on my porch when I was at work. I don’t need a security system to know it either.
“Tell me about it.”
My gaze darts to the display with all the treats, one of them in particular catching my attention. I bite the inside of my cheek as I debate with myself on what to do, but then decide the hell with it.
“Can I have some of those chocolate brownies?”
“Chocolate brownies?” Becky’s brow quirks up. “Over the cinnamon buns that are your favorite?”
Shit.
I’m so caught.
“Umm… Yeah? I figured I’d try something different.”
Becky scoffs. “You never try anything different. You have your favorites, and you stick with them.”
She grabs a box, then opens the display case and fills it with chocolate treats. “You know whose favorite brownies are, though?” She gives me a pointed look, not even bothering to wait for my answer. “My brother’s.”
Double shit.
My heart pounds rapidly inside my chest as she stares at me intently, my palms turning sweaty with panic.
She knows.
How did she find out already?
Scratch that. This is Bluebonnet Creek. Of course she knows. Hell, I was surprised my sisters hadn’t brought up my recent date. Then again, they run in different circles. Not Becky, though. Even if she wants to, she can’t avoid all the gossip in the café, and Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Tyson make it a point to stop at least once a day for coffee.
“Becky, I…”
My tongue darts out, sliding over my lower lip as I try to come up with some kind of explanation, but nothing comes to mind.
She closes the box and slides it to me over the counter.
“He’s at work, so maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll find him at the police station.”
He’s—
“That’s it?”
Becky shrugs. “I knew there was something going on between the two of you that day he came back home. That there is more than either of you is saying out loud.”
