Page 120 of Deep Tide

“I have another item here that you submitted. Looks like... three days ago? An aluminum can?”

“Yes! It’s in?” Nicole had almost forgotten about the beer can, but she felt quite sure Sean wouldn’t have.

“We lifted three fingerprints off the can and ran them through the system. The results just came in.”

Progress, finally, after days and days of nothing. Nicole gripped the wheel, afraid to even let herself hope. “And?” she asked.

“And looks like we got a hit.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Leyla loaded the petits fours into the pastry box, careful not to mar the sugar-icing baby booties. Then she added a row of pale pink macarons.

“Oooh, those are pretty.” Siena whisked into the kitchen with an empty tray. “What are they for?”

“A baby shower tonight up in Commander’s Cove.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Annamarie Holmes?”

Siena made a face. “Damn. So sorry I’m not invited to that. Is it a big crowd?”

“Thirty-five women. Her mother’s bridge club is hosting it.”

Siena leaned against the counter and wiped her hands on a side towel. “I heard about the fridge over at the Java Place.”

“Ugh. Don’t even get me started.” Leyla looked up from the pastries.

“Is it the compressor again?”

“Yeah. And that reminds me. I have to make the salad dressing.” Leyla stepped over to the fridge, which was now crammed with catering orders she’d had to move over from the other shop. She grabbed a jar of mayo and tried to recall the other ingredients in her recipe.

“Are they picking up or are we delivering?” Siena asked.

“I’m delivering at five and setting up, if I can get my act together in time.”

“What’s on the menu? Do you need a hand? I can get Katie to cover things out front.”

“I think I’ve got it. I just have to slice the fruit and cut the finger sandwiches.” Leyla checked her watch. “Oh! And brew the tea.”

She’d almost forgotten about the beverages. She strode into the hallway, annoyed with herself. She’d been scatterbrained all day. Between lack of sleep and her conversation with Sean this morning, and then her run-in with Joel, she hadn’t been able to focus on anything.

She stepped into the stockroom and closed her eyes, grateful to have a few seconds alone. Her real problem today wasn’t lack of sleep. It was the fact that it was after four and Sean still hadn’t called her about his plans. She didn’t know if he still wanted to see her tonight, or if he was even on the island anymore. For all she knew, he was already on a plane back to Washington. But he wouldn’t leave without calling her.

Would he?

Her chest tightened and she leaned her hand against the wall. You promised yourself you wouldn’t do this.

She didn’t want to be thinking about him, obsessing over whether he’d call or not. She didn’t want to be one of those women.

But she couldn’t help it. She wanted to see him tonight. She needed to see him, if for no other reason than to assure herself that she hadn’t imagined how good it had been with him. She thought of the way he’d looked at her and touched her and slept with his arm draped over her waist. They’d had a genuine connection. And the prospect of him leaving without telling her made her physically sick.

Get a grip.

She took a deep breath and massaged her temples. What she needed was a double espresso to wake her up. She was running on fumes.

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