Page 53 of Whiskey Kisses

Until a Jurassic-level growl floats up from her belly, so gnarly I feel it as much as I hear it. Evie pulls back to look at me with a little grin. “Oops.”

“Let me guess,” I say dryly. “You didn’t eat all day because you were on a mission to get as far away from me as possible.”

“Something like that.”

“Sounds like torture,” I tease. I don’t know how people go all day without eating—I could never. “I’m kinda hungry, too, though. Crazy, right?”

“Shocking.” Giving me a little push, she walks over to a bag of cat food and picks it up. “What are you in the mood for?”

“Someplace new,” I reply. “No more BBQ or subs.”

She pauses, thinking for a moment. “How about Mediterranean food? There’s a place on Broughton Street that serves the best falafel I’ve ever had.”

Now my stomach’s growling. “I could do falafel.”

After ensuring the cats are set up in the sunroom with food, water, and litter boxes, we venture downtown for a late lunch. I’m waiting for Evie to finish up in the restroom afterward when a familiar figure catches my eye. Cole. He’s across the street, talking on the phone as he walks down the sidewalk.

He’s made himself scarce since we threw down, but this is his city, so I knew that it was just a matter of time before our paths crossed again.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Evie says, joining me at the window. “You still like fudge, right? There’s a sweet shop a couple doors down. Wanna go?”

“Sure.” I slide my arm around Evie’s shoulder as the crowd swallows Cole. “That sounds good.”

We’re at the sweet shop’s expansive glass case a few minutes later, perusing its chocolatey goodness, when I chance another look out the window. This time it’s a large, bright blue flag that gets my attention, billowing from a restaurant on the opposite corner. It, and the sign below, both readMama Avanelle’s.

The Deschamps family restaurant Kenny told me about the day I got here. Looks like I found it by accident.

“Let’s just get an assortment,” Evie suggests, nibbling a sample of fudge the clerk just handed her. “That way we can share later.”

“Sure.” I shake it off, bringing myself back to the here and now. Evie. “Make sure there’s peanut butter in there. And caramel.”

We buy enough fudge to feed an army, which is what Finn, Timmy, and Malachi will be when they see all this sugar, and leave. “Whew, it’s hot,” Evie says, sliding her sunglasses on.

“Yeah, it is.” I glance at the restaurant as we start walking. My thoughts must’ve summoned him because Cole’s back, leaning against the wall outside Mama Avanelle’s. He’s watching us now, his face expressionless as he lifts a cigarette to his lips.

I wrap my arm around Evie, pulling her so obnoxiously close that she misses a step, and she snorts, smacking my arm. It’s a possessive move, but it’s also a protective one.You can look all you want, fucker. That’s where it ends.

Only, it’s never that easy. We want the same things: the distillery, the girl. Cole might not try something here, in a busy location so close to his family’s restaurant, but he’s like a mad dog. If it bites you once, it’ll bite you again. No sooner do I think it than he lifts his hand, fashions it into a finger gun, and shoots. I’d laugh him off with that corny bullshit, only I know he’s crazy enough to mean it. I stop walking, and Evie stops with me, looking up at me in confusion.

For a long moment, we stare at each other as cars traverse the busy street and people pass between us. I feel Evie follow my gaze, her nails digging into my waist when she sees what I’m looking at. But I just holdher closer, my heart skipping a beat at the malicious intent in Cole’s eyes.

Outing the cigarette beneath his boot, he pushes off the wall and strolls over to the door, disappearing inside the restaurant.

“Sorry about that,” Evie says, shaking her head. “I didn’t even think about Mama Avanelle’s being so close.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I text Finn, giving him my vehicle’s location and asking him to meet us there. I don’t trust Cole. He might not stay put, and he probably has backup of his own. “It’s not your fault he’s a fucking psychopath.”

Evie sighs. “I know, but …”

Finn texts back with a thumbs-up. He and Timmy are actually close by, having just stopped at our new local plug over in the Starland District. I let him know we’ll meet them in a few, and then Evie and I start walking again. She tries to hide it, but she’s anxious now, peeking back every few seconds.

Back in Boston, we rolled with a crew. If there was one thing my father drilled into Lucky and me, it was the buddy system. We never went anywhere alone, not even as kids. We always had each other’s backs.

It’s different in a city that’s not my own, and even though I’ve brought my guys, I feel vulnerable. I know Evie’s got my back—she’s got it more than any girl ever has—and I’ve got hers, but I worry it’s not enough.

16.Evie

Ididn’t expect my first night in Aunt Myrtle’s to be with a bunch of guys, but I don’t hate it. It’s temporary and besides, this house is huge. There are enough bedrooms for everyone, enough space for us to spread out.

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