Page 38 of Things Left Unsaid

Two can play that game.

I shove the mug at her, uncaring that coffee sloshes over the rim, leaving more of a mess for her to clean. “Get me another coffee.”

“No.”

“I’m sure Jocelyn would love to hear how you’re a public health hazard.”

“Who is?”

Lydia tenses at Colt’s interruption, but I continue staring at her. “Get me another coffee, Lydia.”

Overhearing that conversation in Harry’s lets me know she can’t afford to lose this job, but Lydia’s obviously been swallowing crazy pills if she thinks she can spit in someone’s coffee and get away with it.

Her mouth tightens. “I don’t think I will.”

When I jerk to my feet, my gaze cuts to Jocelyn who’s making pastry like always. Our presence has garnered her attention as well as the rest of the patrons’.

“While I don’t expect you to fire Lydia, Jocelyn, you should know that she thinks it’s okay to spit in people’s coffees.”

“She did what?” Colt’s hand settles on my shoulder. Not holding me in place or restricting my movement, but, together, we present a united front.

“She spat in my coffee.”

He tugs on my elbow. “Let’s get out of here.” As we step past a frozen Lydia, he growls, “Jocelyn, the next time I’m in here, I don’t want to see Lydia serving food or drink to the public.”

I can’t feel bad for the woman.

Maybe I should turn the other cheek, but nobody has ever turned their cheek for me inside these town limits.

A touch dumbly, Jocelyn nods.

Colt guides me out of the coffee shop. “You tell me if anything like that happens again.”

It’s an order.

And it’s one I don’t mind agreeing to.

There have to be some perks to becoming Mrs. Colton Korhonen. Still, I want to hear the words straight from his mouth:

“What purpose did dragging me down Main Street serve aside from letting you witness my humiliation?”

Colton

“Reintegration. Reconnaissance. Seeding.”

It’s an easy answer, even if my intention wasn’t so simple.

Zee heaves a sigh that does nice things to her sweater.

Not that I notice.

Much.

Still, I never imagined what I’d uncover as I put my plan into action.

The town brings out the pitchforks and torches especially for her. Humiliating her was never my intention, but I can see why she’s embarrassed.

Zee’s gaze is contemplative as she muses, “You’re getting them used to seeing me with you… while getting to know me… That conversation with Hilary shifted things though. And this interaction with Lydia will cement it.

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