Page 116 of Delicate Escape

Sutton’s face paled. “Shit. I’m sorry, Thea. It’s nothing like that. He was looking for money, that’s all. He’s a nuisance but not a threat.”

But as I took Sutton in, I wasn’t sure she was giving me the whole truth. “You know I’m always here if you need to talk.”

She smiled at me, but it was strained around the edges. “Thank you. But what I think I really need is that girls’ night. A little dancing, a cocktail or two, maybe I’ll even remember what it’s like to flirt.”

Maybe that was a piece of what Sutton needed. She put so much into the bakery and taking care of Luca, she rarely had time for herself. “Okay, we’re going to make it happen. But if Lolli offers you a gummy…”

Sutton chuckled. “Just say no.”

“Gold star,” I said with a grin.

The soft strains of country music shifted suddenly, turning to blaring hard rock.

Sutton winced and jogged over to the stereo system controls. She quickly turned down the volume and switched it back to country. “So sorry about that,” she called to our one remaining customer.

The middle-aged woman waved her off as she stood, gathering her purse. “No problem. That techy stuff is always so twitchy.”

Sutton laughed. “I swear, if there’s a way to set it up wrong, I’ll find it.”

“You and me both,” the woman said.

The bell over the door jingled, and I grimaced as I checked my watch. Who came into a place of business two minutes before they closed? As I turned, pasting on a smile, I froze. Everything in me turned to ice as I took in the tanned face and blue eyes. Eyes that I knew disguised a coldness crueler than anything you could imagine.

“Hey, Selly. Miss me?”

44

THEA

I stared sohard at Brendan that my eyes burned. The stinging bite made me realize I wasn’t blinking. Too scared that if I shut my eyes for even a millisecond, he would lash out and turn my world to ash all over again. And I had so much more to lose now.

Saliva pooled in my mouth as the panic set in. The idea that he could poison all the people in Sparrow Falls against me. That he could pull countless photos and videos I never consented to and post them anywhere he damn well pleased. It wouldn’t matter if Shep, Sutton, and the Colsons stuck with me. Even if Dex eventually got them pulled down again, I’d still get leveled with the stares and whispers.

It would turn my safe escape into a prison.

“Oh. My.Goooood!” the woman who’d been on her way out shouted. “You’re Brendan Boseman!”

I saw the briefest flash of annoyance in Brendan’s eyes before he turned to her, all charm and bright smiles. “I am. And what’s your name?”

“I’m Nelly Parker. I am yourbiggestfan. I must’ve seenKisses forChristmasa million times. I know every line. And yourMask Crusadermovies? I’m obsessed.”

Brendan’s expression transformed, getting serious now as his eyes glistened. “Nelly, you have no idea what that means to me. Fans like you make my world so much brighter.”

Nelly waved a hand in front of her face. “You’re going to make me cry.”

Brendan grabbed a napkin from one of the dispensers on a table. “Now, don’t do that.”

She dabbed at her eyes. “Could we do a selfie? My whole quilt group loves you. How generous you are with your fame and fortune. I have to get proof.”

My stomach soured. This was how it always was. Everyone seeing exactly what he wanted them to.

“Of course.” Brendan wrapped an arm around the woman as she took several shots.

“Thank you so much. I just knew you’d be just as kind in person. You’ve made my year!”

He winked at her. “Anything for atruefan.”

Nelly squealed and ran for the door, surely off to call every one of her friends.

---