Page 64

“Smart-ass.”

“Apparently they can add protein to their coffee, though. So there’s hope for you.”

“I’m touched.”

“You should be.”

Traffic slows at the next light.

I point at her cup. “What’s yours?”

“My usual. Sort of. Avery added some house-made salted butterscotch syrup to it.”

“Avery?” Who the fuck is Avery, and why is he adding his “secret sauce” to her drink?

“The girl who works there. Well, I think she manages it too.” Oh. Avery is a girl. I don’t know why the hell I’m so relieved.

“She’s really cool and kind of funny.” The ease in her voice catches me. “You should’ve seen all the different flavors they had, and they’re all book-related. It’s literally the most perfect coffee bookshop ever.”

“Aww, Baby Becks made a friend.” I smile.

“It’s not kindergarten, Dad.” She looks at me. “I talked to a person. Let’s not order the friendship bracelets yet.”

“Jesus Christ, Laney.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Please stop calling me that.”

“Would you prefer Daddy?” She teases.

Yes. No. Maybe.

Definitely no.

Note to self. Do not drink coffee with Laney. For the second time today, her randomness has caught me off guard. Coffee plus Laney equals choking and dying or a ruined beige leather interior. Either would be a tragedy.

“Shut up.”

But she’s smiling when she turns toward the window.

And so am I.

Becks has always been easy to like. Sweetest fucking person I know when she’s not actively trying to piss me off.

People were never particularly kind to her growing up. Some only wanted to use her to get to her brother.

High school was rougher on her than she ever admitted, and by college she got good at disappearing behind a book or one of those pink notebooks she thinks we don’t notice. She had people around, sure. But she also lived in the shadow of Declan Beckett, a feeling I know all too well. So yeah.

I’m glad she found a Midnight Press. I’m even happier she found someone there she likes.

She’s been in Chicago three days, and she’s already finding little pieces of it that feel like hers. That’s good. That’s what she came here for.

I take another sip of the coffee she bought me. Maybe I’ll check the place out for myself.

Strictly for the coffee, obviously. Not because it’s her new favorite place.

CHAPTER TEN

BISHOP

We’ve been driving in comfortable silence, Laney watching anxiously out the window while I follow the directions farther west.