Page 53 of Before Now

Miles wins her a big pink skeleton stuffy at a ring toss booth. She beams, names it Pigeon, and then he plays again to win me one too. I get a wink as he hands it off.

We’ve circled back on the midway, reaching the carnival’s entrance when Foster texts back about the video I sent him of the mirrors.

Why do you hurt me like this?

I bite down on my smile, staring at the words like they’re the actual man. At this point, the fever of him burns hot enough that I quit trying to cool it. The delirium feels too incredible.

Feeling the stare, I rotate to face Sage a few feet away, likely trying to read my mind. Miles went for his car in the parking lot, offering to pick us up to save a heels-and-gravel situation. The man gets shit.

Sage tips her chin up and flits her gaze everywhere but at me, clearly uninterested in what’s on my phone.

I sigh.

“His name is Foster,” I tell her, and her grin spreads.

“And he is…” She raises her eyebrows, waiting for me to finish the sentence.

I shrug. “He’s Foster, the wandering boy.”

That earns me a squint, but I don’t know what Foster is. I just know I want him to be.

“So, just some guy you’re lamely talking to? Ugh. I thought maybe he was the car ho, but I do applaud you for keeping them lined up.”

Before I can remind her there was no car sex, we hear a deep, “Remington Sinner” behind us.

I spin, catching the black police uniform first. The spike of anxiety only lasts a second because above it waits possibly my favorite smile in existence.

“Are you a stripper cop tonight?” Sage asks Roman as he stops in front of us. “Because there is an ATM…”

His expression changes to the one he always gives her—like he wishes she’d find a filter. “I am a normal cop, like always, and no, I don’t want to know what you’re dressed as, Sage Teller.”

“Slutty fairies,” I supply, punctuating with a bratty smile.

Roman runs a hand over his face. “Christ.”

“Oh, come on, Officer Moore.” Sage pops a hip toward me. “We’re both eighteen now. You get to enjoy the view without being pervy.”

I press my lips together, suppressing a laugh at the absolute regret on his face. He gives me a look and then nods behind us. “And there’s the boyfriend with wonderful timing.”

We both glance over our shoulders to see Miles pull up. He’s from Ashfield, so he’s seen Roman around over the years, patrolling streets and events, and he gives the cop an easy nod back.

When I swing my head around, Roman smiles at me again, a slight tip to his head. I smile, too. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen him. Even longer since hearing his voice.

Sage sighs. “As much as I love being a third wheel, I have my own wheel to mount.” She zeros in on Roman. “You taking my girl home in your sexy cruiser or what?”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to. Miles is perfectly capable of?—”

“He is, but so is Roman,” she interjects. “I imagine you two don’t get nearly as much time together as you’d like.” She waggles her brows, causing Roman to close his eyes.

He opens them, narrows them at me in question. Enough of an affirmative for Sage, apparently.

“Perfect.” She bumps the popped hip against mine and winks. “Love you, bitch.”

“Love you,” I say as she walks toward the car.

Miles must piece it together because he rolls down his window. “It was great to conspire with you, Rem. Be safe for me, yeah?”

His eyebrows slant with the last part, and I nod, my mouth hitching up.

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