They really are the best family, plus Ledger, who I haven’t seen in a while outside of family dinner since he and Ainsley got together. But they all know sometimes I hide away, writing day and night to make a deadline, so this isn’t that unusual. What is unusual is spending the same amount of time writing as I am in Oakley’s bed, but they don’t have to know that.
“I think so. It took so long, but I’m finally making good progress. If I stay steady like I have been, I’ll finish on time. It’s goingto come down to the wire, though.” I cringe. I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to a deadline before, and it’s making me anxious as hell.
“Well, that’s good. If you need help with anything, you know we’re here for you,” Lennox says after he finishes his half of my sandwich. He stands up, tapping Rina’s shoulder as he does. “Let’s go. She needs to work.”
Rina’s motherly stare hits me hard—looking for what, I’m not sure—but Lennox pulls her away before she gains clarity. Lennox throws me a wink before dragging Rina out of Grind Time, and I sink back into my chair.
Lennox and I have always been close, and we only got more so when our parents died when we were in high school. Rina and Ledger took over the parental role, and Lennox and I were left to figure out how to navigate high school with the abrupt loss.
“I just need to close up, and then we can head upstairs if you’re ready?” Oakley’s deep voice cuts into my thoughts.
“Sure. Can I help?”
He shakes his head. “No, just get to a good stopping point with your writing while I wipe shit down.”
It takes fifteen minutes to close up. Once he’s done, he tosses my bag over his shoulder and fireman carries me up the stairs.
“God, I can’t wait to fuck you.” His voice is barely discernible from the whooshing in my head from being upside down. But the only thought in my head is:Me too.
Chapter 12
Oakley
Willow’s deadline is closing in, and she seems to be okay. After we worked through what her guy’s motive could be, she didn’t mention it again. It probably didn’t help that I immediately took her upstairs and tied her up.
A grin pulls at my lips just thinking about it.
“Morning, Oakley.” The sheriff’s voice interrupts my memories from last night.
“Morning.” I start making his Americano as he continues conversation like I invited one.
“Hear anything else from your old partner?” he asks offhanded, but the question freezes me in place.
I turn around, handing him his coffee and looking around to see if anyone is in, even though it’s usually quiet this time of day. I feel like he wouldn’t oust me like that, but you never know.
“I have, actually,” I say cautiously. I think it’s a good idea to keep the sheriff informed if he’s worried, even if I don’t share Woodcroft’s concern.
“Oh?” He takes a sip of his coffee.
“Seems Tennison is traveling west.” His jaw tightens. “Last tip was that he was in Shreveport. Woodcroft called me a couple of days ago because he thinks … he thinks Tennison is coming for me.”
“And is there a good reason he thinks that?”
“I don’t fucking know. We were like Sherlock and Moriarty. He would fuck with me, but I don’t think he has an obsession of me, like Woodcroft does. I honestly think it’s just a coincidence.”
“But this is the first time he’s traveled out of the New England area?”
“That we know of. God knows how long the bastard’s been doing this shit.” I grit my teeth. This is not what I want to talk about today. Sheriff and Woodcroft are making me fucking paranoid that I’m wrong.
He hums, taking another sip. “Please keep me updated if you hear anything else. I think it’s best we both stay extra vigilant.”
I nod.
“You ever thought about doing something more, like the Marshals here?” His question throws me for a loop.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, ever think about not running a coffee shop and coming to work for me?”
