“Listen to me. Are you listening?”
Something in his voice pulled me from my spiral. He wasn’t too harsh or too sharp, but he was definitely commanding. Yep, he had my attention.
“I’m listening.”
Viggo dropped my cell into the pocket of my apron and metmy gaze. “Freya has morning sickness…that’s all. No one wants an audience when they’re sick. I will see her, assess her condition, and report back to you. Okay?”
I felt my shoulders lower into place at his calming tone. “Yes. Thanks. I should get your contact information. Let me know how it goes.”
“No, I’ll buy another fritter tomorrow and tell you everything.”
“Uh-uh. Nope. All I’m asking for is a text. Here. Your hands are full. Gimme your cell.”Big sigh. I waggled my fingers. “You know, I’ll settle for an emoji as long as it’s not a thumbs-up sign. Better yet, send me a gif.”
“I don’t do that,” he grumbled, handing over his phone.
“I do. My gif game is strong.” I input my number and returned his cell.
“Are we finished now?”
“I think so.”
The tiniest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Good. You’re very stubborn.”
I huffed incredulously. “Me?”
Viggo chuckled as he turned away. No…it wasn’t a chuckle—more of a harrumph of amusement. It was a nice sound. Steady, sure, and confident.
And now I was staring.
Oh, shit…I wasn’t the only one. I noted the curious gazes of passersby and wondered what the Wood Hollow rumor mill would conjure. I should warn Viggo.
Nah, let him squirm.
“Everything okay, Dex?” Layla shifted the pink box in her hands as she darted a concerned glance between me and Viggo’s retreating back. See?
“Uh…yeah.” I nodded politely. “You picked up a few donuts, huh?”
“These are for the big bosses. Coop and Hank were complaining that the loggers left them crumbs earlier this week,so I thought I’d treat them. I even added a couple of the cinnamon jalapeños as a dare.”
“I hope they like ’em.”
“They always do,” she singsonged, flipping her brown hair over her shoulder.
Layla was the police chief’s little sister, a happily married mother of two—and an unapologetic flirt and gossip.
I chuckled wryly. “I’d better get to work. Have a great day and?—”
“Do you know Big V?” she intercepted, angling her head in his direction. “I heard you were asking about him. Looks like you’ve become friends.”
Ahh, small-town-living blues.
The only way to avoid gossip going off the rails was to defuse it as quickly as possible. I decided to go with the truth. Part of it.
“Actually, we’re new acquaintances. We have a mutual friend in common, and I was just inquiring about her,” I replied smoothly.
“I see. A fri-end.” She winked. “Gotcha! Lucky girl.”
“No, no. It’s…” I trailed off, unnerved by the mischievous gleam in her eyes. The last thing I needed was town-wide speculation about my nonexistent love life. But I couldn’t think of any other reason to be idly chatting with Viggo except— “He had a few questions about flag football. A big guy like him would be an asset on the team.”
