“Dress code will be black,” her mother continued. “You know, like a funeral. We’ll do it at Trap and have karaoke and play breakup songs. We’ll ask if we can serve individually wrapped cookies as party favors that say ‘freedom.’”
Polly spun around. “Mom.Stop.”
“Why? You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“I think you need to slow down. These last few days have been a lot with?—”
“Don’t say it.” Immediate tears gathered in her mother’s eyes, but just as quickly, she blinked them back. “I know you probably won’t believe this, because I’ve had so many relationships that haven’t worked, but I really loved Jonah. Istilllove him, and my heart feels broken, and I just…I really need a distraction right now.”
Polly’s heart stumbled. “But?—”
The doorbell rang.
And that would be Maggie. She’d asked her best friend to come over because her mom loved her and, well, because Polly could use all the help she could get in this house right now. Maybe Mags could talk some sense into her mother about this party idea.
“I’m just going to let Maggie in. We’ll see what she thinks.” She crossed to the door and tugged it open. “You’re ear?—”
The word died on her tongue.
Not Maggie.
“You can’t be here, Jonah.” She went to close the door, but Jonah was too fast, pressing a palm to the wood.
“Wait, stop, please! I just want a couple of minutes with Liv.”
There was a gasp from the kitchen, then fast footsteps.
“No,” Polly said firmly. “You are part of an open murder investigation. And until that’s complete, you need to stay away from both of us.”
It wasn’t even about whether she liked the guy or not anymore. It was about safety. Four women in this town had been murdered in the last twelve months, and Jonah was theonlysuspect.
“That wasn’t my gun.” He glanced behind her, his eyes wide. “Liv, you have to believe me. Thatwasn’tmy gun! And whathappened between you and me was just a fight. Couplesfight. It doesn’t mean we’re over.”
The silence from her mother was loud, and it made fear shoot into Polly’s veins. Fear that her mother would ignore the fact that he’d been found with a gun in the woods. That she’d close that bit of distance between them and take him back even though he could be a killer.
“I need you to leave, Jonah.” Polly’s voice was firm. “If you don’t, I’ll be forced to call the sheriff.”
It was a poor threat. Ward would take a million years to get here, if he came at all, then likely do nothing. But dammit, she had nothing else.
All Jonah’s attention was on her mother. “Youknowme, Liv. You know I would never hurt anyone. I’m not capable of that.”
Her mother took a half step forward, only to retreat again. “Polly’s right. We need to have a break. At least until all this gun stuff is over.”
Thank God.
Disappointment weaved through his features. He swallowed, shooting her a glance before looking back at her mom. “I love you.” They were his final words before he stepped back.
Polly closed the door and flicked the lock, her heart beating far too erratically in her chest. She wasn’t sure why. Because there was a chance that man could be a killer? And he had his attention set on her mother?
She looked at her mother, whose attention was still on the door as if she was waiting for Jonah to reappear.
Polly forced a smile to her face. “How about that coffee?”
Joel pulledup outside the Blue Swan Inn.
Figured Bronte was staying here. Even if Ethan hadn’t found her location, Joel should have known just based on the fact that it was the nicest accommodation in town. Not that it came close to what she was used to.
He climbed from his truck and crossed the parking lot. The inn was a two-story building with a faded-brick facade and ivy along the edges of the windows. It was cute. Charming. But to Bronte, it probably came across as cheap and old.
