Page 145 of Resting Beach Face
His friends had greeted me like one of their own at the cookout, but even before I dated Cash, they’d always welcomed me as Hudson’s friend.
I’d been the one holding back—and I was done doing that.
“I guess deep down I knew that Nate wasn’t the same kind of friend that Hudson was. Or even Mimsy and Pipsy, you know? People in Swallow Cove are just different.”
“We’re wacky but lovable,” Cash joked.
“More lovable than I ever imagined.”
“Aw, you’re just saying that because you’re obsessed with me.”
I laughed, loving how he could always lighten the moment, even a serious one like this.
“I guess you’ve got me all figured out.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Why else would I love you so much? I only do that to people who really deserve it.”
“Why does that sound more like a threat than a promise?”
Cash grinned. “Well, I can be a lot. You’ll have to put up with me.”
I leaned in to press our foreheads together. “It’s a burden I’ll happily bear.”
Cash kissed me softly. “Good. Now, call the sheriff and tell him what that asshole did. No one fucks with my man and gets away with it.”
I smiled grimly and hit Call.
Part of me had known something was off with Nate and this deal for a while. He’d reacted too strongly to my calling it off. He’d tried to apologize, tried to make nice, but it had never really rung true.
I should have realized he was behind the vandalism. Maybe I hadn’twantedto see it. But now that I did, there was no going back.
Cash rubbed my back, reminding me I wasn’t alone. Never would be again.
I drew a breath. “Sheriff? It’s Declan. I’ve got a new lead for you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Cash
“Treehouse B&B,this is Cash speaking.”
“Cash?” The voice on the other line was confused. “I thought you worked at Swallow’s Nest Resort. Did I call the wrong number?”
I chuckled. “Nope. I used to work there. But now I help…run this place.”
My brain still tripped over the knowledge I was no longer justhelping. I managed this place. Declan made it official the moment my shifts at Swallow’s Nest ended.
I had a title, a salary, and an invitation to add my name to the deed anytime I liked. Maybe I would eventually, but there was no rush. I didn’t need a piece of paper to understand that Declan was inviting me to share his life.
“Oh, that Declan is a sneaky one! Good for him.”
I recognized Pearl’s voice now that I heard it.
“Good for me too,” I said.
She giggled. “I’m happy for you two. I was just calling to see if he’d be coming by the Outdoor Market this week. I wanted togive him some strawberry preserves as a thank-you for sharing his delicious fruit with me!”
“Should I be jealous?” I joked.
