Page 14 of Recklessly Yours

“At least I think so.”

“You think?” He rested his forearms on his desk and leaned in closer.

How did I explain the conversation I’d just had with the woman who was making me feel like I was about to have a stroke at any given moment?

“My brain’s on fire right now.” I roughed a hand down my face, then dove into the situation, starting with the texts and then my conversation with her about the flowers.

“And she didn’t think she should be worried about it?”

“Right?” See? He was just as exasperated as I was with that tidbit of information. “Let’s see if we can get the video footage from the gas station.”

Aiden scoffed. “If only it were that easy.”

“You never know.” I shrugged. “Not like Half Moon Lake has criminal masterminds.”

He chuckled. “So we’re opening an official investigation?”

“Uh.” Trepidation rolled through me like a wave. I didn’t want to jump the gun, even though I was confident there was reason to be concerned. I needed something substantial to show Hattie before encouraging her to file a complaint. “Let’s see if we can get the footage first or if we’ll have to get an official subpoena and go from there.”

Gut still heavy with dread, I turned back to the bag of food on my desk, though I was no longer hungry.

“What is the status of your relationship with Hattie?”

I almost dropped the container of food I had pulled out. What kind of question was that?

I spun back toward him. “Status?”

“Yeah,” he said, eyes narrowed. “What is she to you?”

“Just Rhett’s sister.” I shook my head slightly and swallowed past the lump in my throat. Why would he imply there was something more? Wait… “Is the rumor mill talking already?”

It had been less than fifteen minutes since I’d left The Dock. I couldn’t imagine news would spread so quickly.

“No. But you’re looking into this unofficially, and now you’re asking if I’ve heard rumors…”

“Nah, she’s just my friend’s sister.” I smirked. “But I did get into an argument with her in front of half the town when I stopped by The Dock.”

He cocked one brow but didn’t respond.

“I don’t know, man.” I leaned against the desk again and dropped my head back. “She’s exasperating.”

“That’s exactly what I thought about my wife when I met her.” He chuckled. “If it turns into more, promise that you’ll tell me?”

It was official. I’d completely lost my appetite. “It won’t.”

“But if it does?” he pushed.

“Fine.” I had to appease him or I’d never hear the end of it. And it wasn’t hard because I didn’t cross lines like that. “But it won’t.”

Based on the way he was shaking his head, wearing a knowing smirk, I was surprised that he didn’t call bullshit.

Chapter Seven

HATTIE

Most days,I did my best to leave work before seven, so getting out of here at six thirty on a Friday was a pretty good feat. It had been a slow, quiet night, which was strange, since the place had been packed only a few days ago.

I climbed into my car and started it up, then pulled out my phone and opened the text thread that included Savannah and Brittney, as well as Sarah and a few others who’d been addedover time. Savannah and I had been close with Brittney since she’d moved to our small town in middle school. When one of the girls had added Sarah, I worried that the conversations would be awkward. Rhett had almost married her before he and Bella, who’d been dancing around each other for years, finally got together. Luckily Savannah was more interested in finding out whether Sarah’s hot firefighter boyfriend had any single coworkers than she was in making the situation uncomfortable.

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