Page 74 of Recklessly Yours

Me: Yeah, that’s fine, but I’ll pick you up.

Hattie: Come on, this is ridiculous. He’s not going to do anything with Savannah, Brittney, and a restaurant full of people there.

Hattie: And you just said you’ll probably have him in custody by tonight. Not to mention, we know who it is. I promise that if I see the creepy gas station guy, I’ll call you.

I pinched my eyes closed.Part of me really didn’t want to give in, but she was right. So far this guy had just been a nuisance, and I was confident that Aiden would have him in custody within the next few hours.

With a sigh, I shot off another text.

Me: Fine. But only when/if we have him in custody.

Hattie: Thank you. *kissy face* You’re the best boyfriend.

Me: I like that title.

Hattie: Me too

Me: But seriously, if for some reason we can’t pick him up, then it’s business as usual.

Hattie: Okay.

Chapter Thirty-Four

HATTIE

As my phonechimed with a text from Dylan, I smiled and tapped on the notification.

Dylan: Aiden just texted. He has Brian, and he’s getting ready to question him.

Me: See? It all worked out Brittney just pulled up, so I’ll text you when we leave.

Dylan: Okay.

I slidmy phone into my back pocket and headed out to the dining room, beyond relieved that this whole mess was finally over.

I was stopped twice by employees as I made my way through the packed restaurant. As a co-owner of the restaurant, I couldn’t say no. Finally, I reached the bar, watching Savannah move back and forth quickly, pouring drinks.

“Brittney’s here,” I called over the noisy crowd.

Michael and Paul were sitting halfway down the bar, waving, so I gave them a friendly smile.

“I’ll be another minute. Need to finish these drinks for table twelve.”

“That’s fine. I’m going to grab the food Ashley left for us.”

When I mentioned that we were going to hang out at Dylan’s again, she offered to make my favorite snack. And I was not a girl who ever turned down nachos.

“I’ll meet you outside,” Savannah said without looking up from the drink she was mixing.

“Okay.” Once I’d made my way through the swinging double doors that led into the kitchen and through to the catering side of the restaurant, I grabbed the prepped container of grilled chicken nachos from the fridge and stepped over to the side door that led to the overflow lot.

I wasn’t sure whether Brittney was out this way or parked in the front lot, but the weather was mild tonight, so I’d walk around if I didn’t see her car right away. It would be a heck of a lot easier than dodging people in the crowded dining roomanyway. Two servers had called out tonight, and I felt bad for leaving when I knew they were shorthanded, but I’d been here since nine a.m., and I needed a break.

As I stepped out into the side lot, I scanned the handful of cars parked close by. Most of the bar, kitchen, and catering staff would park out this way, but since the catering staff was gone, the lot was pretty empty. When I didn’t see Brittney’s car, I turned to head toward the front of the building.

I was startled by movement in my periphery and spun that way. With my hand pressed to my chest, I peered into the darkening lot and discovered Josh, who was using his phone’s flashlight to search the ground by his car.

“Hey, Josh. Everything okay?”

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