Typically, I would insist that she make it home at some point, but considering she needs to live a normal teenage life, it would be best if she stayed with her friends.
ALYSSA
Sure! Have fun.
AVA
We still have tomorrow night.
Oh. OK. Thanks mom! Love you.
I’ll text you when at her house safe.
ALYSSA
Thank you. Love you too.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, rereading the text. “It’s just Ava. She’s growing up so fast, and I don’t know how to handle it at times.” Locking myphone, I see the time flash on the screen. It’s getting late, and since I’m not waiting on Ava anymore, there’s little reason for me to stay at the festival. “I gotta get going. I’m exhausted.”
“Do you want me to walk you to your car?”
I stand up, heading toward the nearest garbage can, and toss the paper plate in. “That’s not necessary. I can manage.”
He’s quiet for a moment before he stands and takes a step toward me. His sheer presence is enough to intimidate me.
“I want to. This festival might be in New England’s safest town, but it draws in characters from all parts of the country. Better to be safe than sorry.”
“Ever the detective,” I bemoan teasingly.
He shrugs. “Itismy job.” He grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers and all words escape me. “And, if I’m being honest, I want more time with you.”
I’m floating on a cloud, my feet just barely touching the ground. His words have me warm and dare I say hopeful. For what, I haven’t quite worked out yet. My mind is full of so many possibilities. Things I probably have no business thinking at this stage.
When we make it to my Volvo, I open the door and turn too quickly, nearly bumping right into Nick’s chest. Not for the first time. We’re inches apart, and I feel my entire body flush from the proximity.
“Sorry,” he says, but he doesn’t back up.
“All good. I just wanted to thank you again.”
He grins down at me, pulling me into an embrace that I melt into before I remember I’m supposed to be keeping my distance. “Be careful,” he says into my ear, causing a riot of tingles that remain well after he ends the hug. “Too many people leave this festival intoxicated. There are extra patrols tonight. You’ll wanna drive slow to avoid a ticket.”
I’m about to say something quippy when a commotion in thedistance catches my eye. A red truck is what initially draws my attention, but it’s the three men in what appears to be a heated conversation that holds it.
Nick twists around to get a look at what I’m seeing. “What do we have here?” he says under his breath.
Richard Dunbar has his finger pointed into the chest of a stocky man, who looks like he could smash Richard to pieces if he wanted. A third man stands off to the side, arms crossed, looking down at the other two. I can’t make out much more because the only light in the area comes from one telephone pole. It’s enough for me to make out the mayor, but the other man’s face is hidden in shadow.
“What is Mayor Dunbar doing with Marcus Wells?”
“Who’s Marcus Wells?” I ask, looking up at Nick.
“He’s a local criminal with his hands in many of the businesses in town. Extortion, bribery, money laundering—his rap sheet is extensive. But somehow, he’s always getting off with a slap on the wrist.” He takes one more look. “Curious that the mayor of all people appears to be well acquainted with him.”
The scary man pulls what appears to be a case of liquor from the back of the truck, and hands it over to Richard.
“The man’s dirty,” I say offhandedly. “I just wish it could be proven, so Nina would have an excuse to leave his ass.”
