Page 6 of Forbidden Harmony

“Not at the moment,” Nix said.

“Okay, well, I have a couple moreinterviews, but I’ll call you once I’ve made a decision.” He didn’t have anyother interviews and he was ninety percent certain he would offer Nix the job,but if he’d learned anything, it was that making rash decisions had a way of backfiringon a guy.

“Perfect.” Nix stood and shook his hand. “Niceto meet you.”

“You as well.” Preacher walked him intothe main tattooing area. “Email the shop if you think of any questions.”

Nix’s big body had gone still, and Preacherfollowed his gaze to where Gideon, wearing his sheriff’s uniform, lounged againstthe front counter. The tension in Nix’s body, the expression on his face,suggested he might be an ex-con as well. Preacher filed that information awayand brushed past Nix to join Gideon.

“Hey,” he nodded to Gideon, “what’s up?”

“Not much. I was downtown, figured I’dstop in and say hi.” Gideon clapped him on the back as Nix joined them.

“Nix Cordell, this is Gideon Walker, he’sthe sheriff of Harmony Falls,” Preacher said. “Nix is interviewing for a jobat the shop.”

“Nice to meet you.” Gideon held out hishand and Nix shook it, the tension in his body easing slightly.

“You as well, Sheriff. Preacher, thanks again.”Nix shook his hand a second time before heading toward the door. “I lookforward to hearing from you.”

He left the shop and Gideon leaned againstthe counter. “He looked… normal.”

“Fuck off,” Preacher said.

Gideon laughed. “He was wearing a tie andhe didn’t smell like he just finished a three-day bender in a swamp like thelast guy you interviewed. If he can tattoo, you’re gonna hire him, right?”

“Dude can totally fucking tattoo,” Nolansaid from his spot behind the counter. “You see that tiger in his book?Fucking sick, man.”

“That’s good,” Gideon said. “You offer himthe job?”

“Not yet.” Preacher glanced at his watch.“I’m done for the day. You want to grab a beer?”

“I can’t. I’m working the late shift thisweekend,” Gideon said.

“You’re the fucking sheriff,” Preacher said.“Get one of your peon deputies to work the late shift. Isn’t that the benefitof being the sheriff? You get the day shift?”

Gideon laughed. “It’s called being part ofa team. Besides, the night shift isn’t that bad. I gotta go. Later, buddy.”He clapped Preacher on the back before leaving the shop.

Nolan grinned at Preacher. “Hey, I’mfree. I’ll hit the bars with you if you want.”

“Not going to a fuckin’ bar,” Preachersaid. “That shit’s too loud for me. I’m going to the Beaver if you wanna go.”

Nolan laughed. “Jesus Christ, Preacher, you’resuch an old man now.”

“Yeah, yeah, you comin’ to the Beaver ornot?”

“Hell, yes.” Nolan grabbed his phone and followedhim to the door.

Chapter Three

“Honey, we can just go home.”

Addison studied herself in the dirty,spotted mirror before applying a bit more gloss to her lips. “No, I’m doingthis, Gracie.”

“Look,” Grace leaned against the counter,“I know me and Kira and Harper all said the best way to get over Harrison wasto get under someone else, but if you don’twanta night of rebound sex,you shouldn’t do it. Like, don’t do this because we say you should.”

“I’m not.” Addison made herself smile atGrace, trying to ignore the way her head pounded and throbbed. “I promise, Gracie.”

“Are you sure?”

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