Page 14

"Get your mind out of the gutter." Evan shakes his head, grabs my finger to keep it away from his chest, and stares at the cupcakes on the counter. "I was tattooing the backside of his thigh."

"I told you about your car making funny noises when I brought you the keys back.” I shoot him a sharp look and demonstratively take another bite of my cupcake. “And it was his ass. What’s with the denial? You're not usually this shy about body parts."

"I'm not shy about it, but you're making it sound all wrong." He rolls his eyes. "Kieran is my ex. If you can even call it that. We’re friends, Brooke. Friends. Get whatever you’re thinking right out of your head."

"Sure," I deadpan and cross my arms in front of my chest.

He and Kieran have known each other for ages already. Apparently, he stayed in Kinstead for a while, though it was right when I was on a trip to Disneyland with my grandparents, so I’m the only one in my family who never got to meet him during that time.

Then, a bit over a year ago, he moved to Wayward Hollow, our neighboring small town. Within a week, he had all of Wayward Hollow talking about him, and after walking out of Evan’s with his new tattoos, all of Kinstead boarded the gossip train.

It has been messing with my head. He has been messing with my head, only by existing.

For one, because I don't understand why he'd move here when the only person he knows is Evan. Aka, his ex.

Second, because he’s hot. Sinfully so. And I have no business finding my brother's freaking ex hot.

But it’s mainly the first reason. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I have two exes, and I would never move anywhere near them. In fact, I would go out of my way to move away should I realize they lived somewhere close. It’s nothing personal, but those chapters are well and truly closed.

"Anyway, you’re not being helpful." Evan lets out a deep sigh and runs his palm over his face. "Hannah, can you flirt with Julian? I need my car fixed soon, and if I ask, it will take him at least half a year to get to it. The guy is immune to my charm." I hide laughter behind a cough. What charm? Evan’s got the charm of a bulldozer, certainly not a level that will make our towns cute, brown-haired mechanic favor his car over others.

"Oh, hell no." Hannah shakes her head, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I did that once when my car was making funny noises, and he was so nice and I felt so bad about it. Not a chance I’m doing it again."

"You party pooper." He purses his lips in a pout. “I’d ask Brooke, but flirting is a foreign concept to her.”

“Hey!” I set Mr. Muffin down before I’m tempted to hand him to Evan, knowing he’ll get a scratch or fifteen out of it. “Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here.”

The annoying ringtone of our bright pink wall phone suddenly blasts through the room.

"I got it." I stride over and take the call. "Brooke's Animal Shelter. How can I help you?"

"Hi, dearie."

"Oh, hi, Mrs. Bernard." I instantly straighten my back out of reflex. Like your grandma catching you slouching, only Mrs. Bernard would never scold me for my posture.

“Please, Brooke. I told you to call me Marjorie.”

Indeed, she did. It feels so wrong, though. The same way it makes you pause and convince you’re allowed to, before calling a former teacher by their first name.

"Okay. Hi Marjorie. How is your day going?"

"It's going horribly, dear."

My heart drops. The poor woman sounds downright exhausted, which is not a good sign. She always has a pleasant smile playing at her lips, and I’ve never ever heard her complain about anything. Ever.

"It's actually why I'm calling. No use beating around the bush, I am so sorry, but my bank will charge back the donation for your sanctuary."

"Oh." It's all that I manage to press out. The words hit me with the force of a punch to my chest. My ears are ringing. How does breathing work again?

"I'm so sorry," she hurries to explain, and soft steps tell me she’s pacing, which is not like her either. "Mitchum has served me divorce papers an hour ago. Out of nowhere. After forty years together. Apparently, he has a girlfriend. Can you believe it? His lawyer demanded ceasing any expenses not necessary for survival until the assets have been divided, effective immediately. Or rather, retroactively. I’m so sorry.”

"Oh my, that's horrible," I stammer, trying to hide the devastation pulling me under and swallowing the word ‘fuck.’

"It's a goddamn shitshow, is what it is." I bite the inside of my cheek. This is the first time I've heard Mrs. Bernard curse.

“My oldest brother is a divorce lawyer, and a damn good one, I might add, if you want me to connect you two.”