Main Street is just waking up. I wave at Ted who runs the general store, and then I walk into Brewed Awakenings, my body immediately relaxing at the smell of coffee beans.
“Ooh,” Mylene says, as she fills up the glass display with mouthwatering pastries. “You look like you spent all night reading.”
Ha. Chance would be a fine thing. Becausesomebodytook my book. I try to push him out of my mind. “My body is suffering from a caffeine deficiency. Please help me.”
“The usual?” She smiles.
“Yes please. And Romy wants…” Crossed swords, mostly. I frown, trying to remember what she asked for. “A caramel macchiato I think.
“Iced caramel macchiato with an extra shot. She just sent me a message because she knew you’d forget.”
Of course she did. She’s never anything but ruthlessly efficient.
Mylene leans on the counter, her bracelets clinking. “By the way, did you hear the news?” She loves to gossip, as long as it doesn’t involve her. Or her estranged twin sister, Eileen.
And the least said about their constant enmity the better.
“What news?” I ask.
“Zach Fitzgerald resigned from the Art Trail Committee.”
Something tightens under my ribs. I tell myself it’scaffeine withdrawal. “Where did you hear that?” I try to keep my voice light.
“Jesse mentioned it this morning. Before the first ferry left. He heard it last night from somebody at the Salty Dog. Who overheard Autumn telling Skyler. Or something like that.” She shrugs. “I can’t say I’m surprised. He never stays here for long. The man’s too busy flying first class or on a private jet to gorgeous places. I guess he’s too important to hang around here and organize a little art show.”
I let out a breath, ignoring the annoyance rushing through me. Or at least that’s what I’m calling it, because disappointment isn’t something I want to feel when it comes to him. “Is he leaving then?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” She smiles and hands over the coffees, then leans closer. “Is Romy recording another podcast? I saw her hauling in some equipment.”
“Something like that.” I nod.
“Ooh, you’ll have to tell me when it’s live.” She leans across the counter, lowering her voice. “The one about the praise kink was very enlightening. I nearly coughed up my tea when I heard that the phrase ‘good girl’ can be foreplay. I’m pretty sure Hudson knows all about it. Every time Skyler walks in, it’s all ‘good girl, sweetheart’ this, ‘thank you, baby’ that. I thought he was being polite. Turns out he’s been talking dirty this whole time.”
I almost choke on a laugh. “Mylene, please tell me you didn’t tell him that.”
She grins. “Of course not. But I might have winked at him.”
I take the coffees and head back to the bookshop, trying not to think about praise kinks. Because, quite frankly, I have enough to deal with. Luckily Romy’s winding up herrecording when I walk back in, and I put her coffee on the counter as I take a long sip of mine.
The package she talked about is waiting for me next to the cash register. It’s weird, because the mailman hasn’t been by yet. Nothing comes from the mainland until after the first ferry arrives. There’s just my name on the front of the brown envelope, so I open it and peek inside.
And see a book.
Not just any book. ButThe Hunting of Red. I don’t even have to take it out to know it’s my copy. I can see the post-it-notes.
Oh my God, he read the post-its.
It’s like he’s read my diary. And now he knows all my deepest, darkest desires.
“What is it?” Romy asks, walking over and grabbing her coffee. “And thank you.” She takes a long sip from the straw, her cheeks hollowing. “Seriously, nobody makes coffee like Mylene.” She leans forward. “Hey, is thatThe Hunting of Red? Why’s somebody sending that to you? Haven’t you read it already?”
“It’s a long story,” I say, pulling it out. “But this is my copy.”
She blinks, taking in the post it notes. “Did you lose it?”
“It was stolen,” I say, ignoring the pang in my chest. A little note is attached to the front. Long, looping words inked across it.
I’m sorry I took this. And for overstepping the line. I regret it deeply.
