Page 14 of Mine to Keep

Matt’s head turned slowly toward JJ. “That was so oddly specific, I think you’re the one who believes that.”

I hooked a thumb at Matt. “What he said.”

“Nick, tell me I’m wrong? You’re one hundred percent thinking it, and yes I am too, but that’s just how my brain works.”

Now Matt was watching me. “It’s gifts.”

I nodded. “For now, I agree with JJ. If it escalates, though, or you get weird messages, you should maybe do more.”

Matt’s lips thinned, and his brow crinkled. He was hyper focusing on his bottle of water and I darted a glance at JJ, who noticed Matt’s reaction also.

“Matt, did something weird happen?” JJ spoke softly. Matt didn’t answer, so he placed his hand on his arm, and Matt jumped.

“Oh, sorry. Nothing weird, you’re both just freaking me out.”

He was lying, and when JJ looked at me he knew it too, but there wasn’t anything we could do about it. We couldn’t force our help on someone, but it could be offered.

“If we can help in any way, let us know.” There…I’d extended assistance.

Matt grinned. “I appreciate it, but you all own a bakery and do some sort of coding stuff. If it’s dangerous, I’ll call the police.”

Right, Matt knew nothing about who we really were and as much as I wanted to tell him he had no idea what we were capable of, discretion was key.

“Even if it’s maybe cameras to see who it might be, let us know.” I shot him a tight-lipped smile.

“Thanks, I actually ordered a Ring camera for my door.”

Every nerve ending in my body vibrated. While those were great to catch porch pirates and see who was ringing your doorbell, they were terrible if someone was trying to be discreet. They were visible and if this person didn’t want to be known yet, they’d simply avoid the camera. But what could I do?

“Fair enough.” I stood and dipped my chin. “Good luck—talk to you later.”

As I left the kitchen, I was hit with an unsettling feeling. Something bad was going to happen, and I wasn’t sure how to stop it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Matt

Everything wasquiet at my place for the next few days, and on Thursday I met up with my friend Mika at Belle’s Beanery. Mika and I had grown up together and while we literally only saw each other a few times a year, whenever we did hang out, it was as if no time had passed at all.

She’d suggested we go to Saintly Sweets, but I needed a break from the Saint brothers and I’d been going to Belle’s Beanery years before the brothers had opened theirs. Oddly, I’d never visited the brothers’ store, but today wasn’t the day to start.

The bell on the door chimed and with a quick glance, I saw Mika hadn’t arrived yet. I walked to the counter.

“Hey, Matt.” Beth, one of the baristas, smiled at me.

“Hi, Beth.”

“What are you having today?”

I read over the menu and noticed something new. “Oh, a chocolate coconut frappe?”

She chuckled. “Yeah, it’s yummy.”

“I’m weak for chocolate and coconut; add an almond in the mix, and it’s perfect.”

She chuckled. “We don’t have almonds, but we do have an almond flavored cookie?”

It was turning out to be a great day. “Let’s do it.”

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