He grinned before texting back.
Joel: Depends—do they make good coffee? Because I really can’t be held responsible for my actions when caffeine is involved.
Unknown: Stay away from my barista. She’s eighteen. In fact—stay away from everyone who works here.
Joel: I’m assuming “here” is Bloom.
Unknown: Confused because you hit on baristas at The Pancake Bar too? Have a thing for Basil?
Joel: I’d ask how you got my number, Polly, but I’m sure if you want something bad enough, it’s easy to get.
An eye roll emoji came back, making him chuckle.
He saved her number. He had a feeling he’d be using it again in the future.
He didn’t know what it was about that woman, but she made him laugh. And even though she put on a tough exterior, there were moments she probably thought no one saw, moments where flickers of vulnerability were on full display.
He saw them. He liked them. He liked everything about her. The fire, the strength, the fact that she stood so fiercely behind what she believed in.
He leaned back again, gaze going to the house.
That’s when the front door opened and Jay stepped out, holding pieces of paper in her hands.
He dipped lower in the driver’s seat.
He thought he’d done a good job at positioning the vehicle in a spot where he could seeherbut she wouldn’t easily noticehim. But she headed directly toward the car.
Shit.
When she reached his truck, she leaned over his open window. “Watching me?”
“Just checking that you get back to Coronado safely.”
She lifted a brow. “So you’re not watching me to make sure I’m not the one harassing Maggie?”
Double shit. “Look, Jay, we’re just trying to cover all our bases.”
“I haven’t hurt or harassed Maggie. The only thing I did was mess with Ethan’s phone eleven years ago and make the mistake of falling in love with the guy.” For a second, emotion clogged her features, then she blinked and handed him the papers in her hand. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s what I’m good at—finding the information everyone else misses.”
He took the papers.
“I hope you get her,” Jay said, straightening. “Ethan deserves to be happy.”
Jay walked away, and Joel glanced down at the papers. His limbs turned to stone.
Fuck. He hit Ethan’s number on his phone.
“Joel—”
“I know who’s been messing with Maggie.”
30
“Are you nervous?”
