For me, I’m not sure Mr. Vans is going to let me partake in the festivities. After all, I did catch Henry making out with somewoman in his car in the bowling alley parking lot once. So, naturally, I spray-painted the parking lot with vulgar language.
That might have been Sheriff Sloan’s most annoying arrest with me. Mr. Vans caught me. I shoved him, and when he pushed me back, I tripped over a parking block like an idiot. My face was all scuffed up.
I remember arriving at the police station, feeling cocky for whatever reason, and ready to give the sheriff a hard time, but someone waiting at the station beat me to it.
Brooke.
I grin and then shake my head.
The sooner I finish up here, the sooner I can check on the woman who has managed to take up my every thought.
Chapter
Twenty-One
BROOKE
I didn’t go anywherein the bakery today where there wasn’t a set of eyes on me. If I was in the kitchen, Sammie found a way to be back there for even five seconds. If I was in the front, Daisy kept a table or customers watched me. Gentle smiles touched every face the moment our eyes would make contact.
The town of Lovers knows what happened last night, and while no one has yet to ask me about it, they are quietly showing their support for me.
“Oh my god! You’re here!”
And others are not so quiet about their support.
Grace rushes to me and wraps me in a tight hug.
“Dutton said that you were working today, and I had to see it with my own eyes. How are you? Do you want to go somewhere? What can I do?”
I’ve barely opened my mouth when the door to the bakery opens again.
Three more of my best friends come barreling in.
“Since when can you run that fast?” Shay asks, her hand resting on her growing baby bump.
“Probably since you started growing a human.” Sadie giggles and then also embraces me in a hug.
“What I want to know is how she ran in those heels,” Quinn adds, taking Sadie's place.
Once I’ve successfully hugged everyone, we move as a group toward the register.
“I’m supposed to bring Ruby a latte and some chocolate chip cookies. She’s on a deadline with one of the book covers she's designing, but she’s going to be at bowling tonight,” Sadie informs us as she gives Daisy money for her order.
“Bowling?” I ask. “Since when are we going bowling?”
“Take a break,” Daisy says to me and nods to the only empty table in the place.
Working has been the distraction I've needed since I walked in the door, but now that my friends are here, I realize how much I need them.
Drinks and treats in hand, we take our seats, with Quinn and Grace sharing one since there are only four chairs.
“Luca wasn’t keen on the idea of us doing something alone after last night. So, he thought we could all go bowling. Guys and girls. He figured you and Dutton would want to be together anyway.”
I take a breath and smile at her comment.
“Soooo,” Sadie starts. “What do we talk about first? The stalker or Dutton?”
All eyes fall to me.
