Page 7 of Play Action Pass

“Aren’t you going to order?” Emmie asked.

He shook his head. “Would it sound creepy if I said I only came in here because I saw you enter?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Utterly creepy.”

He grimaced. “Sorry.”

“I didn’t say creepy couldn’t be charming.” She tilted her head. “Unless you turn into a serial killer. Or a serial rapist. Or anything having to do with serial in general.”

“Scouts honor,” he said, raising his hand. “No serials.”

She grinned. “Why do I feel like you weren’t a Scout?”

“Is it my rakish allure?”

“Oh, definitely,” she murmured. “I thought to myself, self, that man can’t possibly be the next Ted Bundy because he’s got a rakish allure.”

He chuckled.

The salted caramel ribbon swirl dripped onto her fingers so she had to hurry and lick the melting sides. Crew had never wanted to be an ice cream cone more. His body reacted very inappropriately for being in a public place.

“I, um, have to go,” she said.

“Yeah, right. Me too. I’m heading to do some grocery shopping.”

“I did that yesterday.” She glanced down, and a look of uncertainty crossed her face. “I know we don’t know each other, but would you like to come over for dinner?”

“Yes,” he replied softly. “I would love that.”

“Great. So, is six tonight okay?”

“Well, let me check my calendar, oh, wait, I’m on vacation. Six would be great.”

“Great,” she answered.

“We’re saying the word ‘great’ a lot, did you notice?”

“Yeah, isn’t that great?”

He laughed.

“Do you think you might need directions to my place?”

“I’m pretty sure I can Google map it.” He winked. “Bye for now, Emmie.”

With one last lingering look, she left the ice cream parlor. Crew watched her get into a very nice car and drive off.

What the hell just happened?

He had this weird feeling he’d just met his future.

Chapter Six

What the hell just happened?

Emmie didn’t know but whatever it was, she had a feeling it was life-altering. She hadn’t been on a date in over a year, since before Jacoby had died. She’d been wallowing in grief for so long she couldn’t even remember the man she’d dated.

Coleson thrown her for a loop when he’d greeted her in the shop. The woman working behind the counter hadn’t known her brother, but she said the owner would be there the next day. Emmie had every intention of stopping by with her fingers crossed that she could talk to the person who had captured Jacoby’s attention. If not, she’d visit every place he’d written about in the hope of understanding why he’d come to Anchorridge Cove.

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