“How fun. Hey, his book is really good. I’m pretty close to the end. I just found out the killer’s identity. Totally did not see that coming.”
“Right?” Harper grinned. “It’s a fantastic book.” She grabbed the bread and popped two slices into the toaster, which held four altogether. “You want some?”
“Sure, why not. A quick breakfast means I can get to work faster.”
Harper added two more pieces of bread, then pushed the lever down. “I was thinking about asking Willa if she wants to go the beach with me later. I assume you probably want to stay in and work, but you’re welcome to come. I’m thinking of inviting Prisha, too.”
“Oh, maybe.” Frankie made a face. “I do need to keep working. I think I’m about to get a new commission for three sci-fi book covers. He’s given me a deposit, but he hasn’t seen the mockup yet. Even so, I feel good about it.”
“Wow. Go you. You’re really on fire lately. I’m so proud of you.” Harper got the almond butter and honey out.
“Thanks. It might seem like I have a lot happening, but this is exactly what I need to stay afloat. I really hope it’s not a weird fluke and things die off.”
Harper sipped her coffee. “You do great work. The more it gets out there, the more people talk about it, the more work you’ll get.”
“Is this leading into how I need to be more active on social media?”
Harper laughed softly. “You already know how I feel about that. Speaking of, have you talked to Jack?”
“Not yet. But I will when I see him.”
“Are the boats still out there? I didn’t look this morning.” Harper put two plates on the counter near the toaster.
“Neither did I.” Frankie got up to get more coffee, taking a detour to the windows. “Weird. The boats seem to be gone. Maybe they’ve given up.”
“We can only hope.”
A knock at the breezeway door turned both their heads.
“Jack?” Frankie said.
“Probably,” Harper answered. “I’ll get it.”
Chapter Forty-One
Jack walked in behind Harper as Frankie was adding creamer to her coffee. She took a sip before speaking. “Morning, Jack.”
“Yes, it is. Bright and blue, best kind.” He was all smiles. “Boats are gone.”
Frankie nodded. “That has to feel good. Being left alone, I mean.”
“It is,” he said.
The toast popped up. Frankie used bamboo tongs to remove it, putting two pieces each onto the plates Harper had gotten out.
He watched her. “Am I interrupting breakfast? I am, aren’t I. I’m sorry, man. I just came over to say I was sorry for all you’ve had to go through with the photographers out there and thanks for not kicking me out.”
Harper put her hand on his arm. “Jack, you’re the one who had to put up with it. They weren’t here for us.”
“I know, but still. It’s an invasion of your privacy, too, you know?” He shook his head. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with it.”
Frankie unscrewed the lid to the almond butter and got a knife out. She had to ask. “This doesn’t mean you’re leaving us, does it?”
He took a breath. “Not yet. If that’s all right. After what Angie did for Mitch, I’m going to send him to San Diego to see about handling things with Monica for me.”
Frankie looked at Harper, who was shaking her head. “What did Angelo do for Mitch?”
“I don’t know,” Harper said.
