Page 90 of Long Time Coming

“Darn tootin’, I’m curious.” I set the goodies in front of me and wedge the box open. “So mysterious.” I glance up when I see the note. “Did my dad do this?”

“Nope.”

Joking, I ask, “Did Deputy?—”

“Just read the note, Chris.”

“Okay. Okay. Someone is short on patience per usual.” I take the paper, flip it open, and silently start reading.

“Say it out loud.”

“Good God, Edward Cullen. Settle yourself.” She starts laughing at the reference, but I drop my head to the side, entirely suspicious now. “Didn’t you write it?”

Hopping up on the counter to sit, she leans against the brass and glass case and bats her eyelashes. “No. I still want to enjoy this, though.”

“I was starting to believe it was from you.”

“It’s not.” Holding her hand up in a Girl Scout promise, she says, “I swear.”

“Alright.” I glance back at the paper and read aloud, “You’re better than any biscuit could ever be. Your Secret Admirer.” I pull the note to my chest, holding it over my heart, wishing I could hug the real thing instead of a piece of paper. It’s a poor substitute for Tagger Grange, but since this is all I have right now, I’ll treasure it always.

“Who’s the secret admirer, Greene?”

Tucking the note into my back pocket, I ask, “Have you always been this nosy?”

“You should know.”

“So the answer is yes.” I pick out a biscuit and take a big bite. “They’re literally orgasmic.”

“Speaking of orgasms with Tagger Grange . . .” I spew biscuit everywhere and then start choking on the bread. Resting my hands on the counter, I cough up what feels like a piece of cheese just as she sets a bottle of water on the counter in front of me. “Drink up, buttercup, and settle in. It’s going to be a long afternoon. I need all the details of when you and Tagger started having sex, and I want to hear all about your trip to the Big Apple.”

I drink the water, soothing my throat as well as biding some time. I lower it to take a breath, but when I see her sitting idly by waiting on me, I drink some more.

How does she know about Tagger and me?

The trip to New York and about us having sex?

What am I supposed to tell her?

She knows I lied. What else does she already know that she’s ready to call me out on?

She laughs with a quick roll of her eyes. “The water can’t save you, sister.”

I lower the bottle and set it down, ready to drink more if this interrogation gets too heated. “First off, I can explain.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Second, how do you know all that?”

“It’s not exactly trade secrets.” She holds out her finger and ticks it once. “You’re the worst liar.” Ticking off another finger, she adds, “There is no Farmers of Central Texas conference or convention in Dallas because it doesn’t exist.” Flipping out a third finger, she grins. “This secret admirer order was paid by a Kendra Donovan out of New York City. She works for Delaney Financials. Do you know who else works there?”

It’s a trick.“Two months ago, I didn’t.”

“Nice try, Greene.” She shoots her eyebrow straight up and glares at me.

I cave because I’m weak, and honestly, I just want to share this happiness with my best friend. “Tagger Grange.”

“Ding. Ding. Ding. Mr. Tagger Grange works there. Do you know who his assistant is?”

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