Page 153 of On The Rocks

“Once you turn into the orchard, follow the road past the Lodge, the stores, and up a steep hill. Hope you didn’t rent a shit car.”

“I have a sports car.”

“Pray for your undercarriage. I’m outside, can’t miss me.”

“Great.”

Baron hung up.

I shook my head and shoved my phone back into my pocket. To kill time, I ran around with Elmer until he dropped onto his back, his tongue out as he panted.

“Pathetic, pal.”

He grinned with that wide, crazy mouth and just kept on panting.

The sound of a gunning engine made Elmer roll and struggle up. Both of us walked to the end of the drive. An electric blue Shelby convertible inched its way up the steep, pitted road. Baron’s short hair ruffled in the early morning breeze. He had on mirrored aviator sunglasses and the ancient denim shirt he always wore.

He parked and got out. “How, man?” He held out his arms. Lean and built like a runner, nothing had changed on one of my best friends.

At least he had been.

Until Irene.

“My half brother fell in love with this place. I did too.”

Baron dropped his arms. “Wild, man.” He was tall and tanned, even more than his Puerto Rican blood promised. He glanced down at Elmer. “A dog?”

“Baron, meet Elmer.”

He took off his sunglasses and tucked them in his shirt pocket. “Orchard, dog, and...” He looked beyond me and whistled, low and long. “A girl.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Lennon stood in the doorway, her messy braid over her shoulder, my hoodie on and nothing but long coffee and cream legs.

“Try a woman. C’mon, you should meet her.”

Baron moved closer to me, pitching his voice low. “Maybe we should talk first.”

I frowned. “What the hell is going on?”

“A fucking lot.”

“I don’t keep stuff from Lenny.”

His eyebrows shot up. “A woman that gorgeous is named Lenny?”

I laughed. “Lennon Hathaway.”

“Damn, son. She’s a smokeshow.”

“Watch how you talk about my future wife.”

He shook his head. “Yeah, maybe I better get back in the car and start over. This can’t be the right Griffin.”

“Afraid so. And whatever you have to say, you can say in front of her.”

“It’s not good, my friend. Not sure you want to tangle her up in it.”

I rubbed my sternum. “Did something happen to Marc?”

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