Page 26 of This Memory
We started to walk down Main toward Memory Lane Toys. “I heard you and Brystol called a truce.”
I shook my head. “Yeah, well, it didn’t last long.”
We both looked up as a big group of tourists approached. It was clearly a bachelorette party because the woman at the front of the group was wearing a veil, along with a sash that read “I’m the bride.”
“Why, hello, Officer,” one of the women said. “I’m pretty sure I just broke the law somehow and need to be searched.”
“Lori!” the bride yelled, hitting her friend on the arm. “Stop it right now.”
I smiled. “Now, ladies, don’t be causing a disturbance in our quiet little town.”
“With a hot cop like you, it’s gonna be hard not to,” said a blond standing on the other side of the bride.
Kian let out a chuckle when another woman in the group stepped forward, looking at me like she wanted to tear my clothes off. “Please tell me you’re single and get off duty soon. We’ll be partying it up at the bar on the roof of our hotel later.”
“The Muddled Moose,” another called out from somewhere in the group of at least fifteen women.
Deciding this had already gone on too long, I gave a nod to the bride and motioned for Kian to start walking as I said, “You ladies enjoy the fall festival—and don’t drink and drive.”
A few of the women booed, but they quickly moved on.
“Jesus, does that happen to you all the time?”
Laughing, I replied, “Not all the time, but more than I care to admit.”
“Sucks being so handsome.”
“Says the guy who was homecoming king and had every girl in town chasing after him.”
Kian rolled his eyes.
The door opened before we got to the toy store, and Cadie walked out with Aurora and Brystol. My heart felt like it slammed against my chest when I saw Brystol. She was smiling…but once she spotted me, the smile vanished.
So we were back to that shit again.
I clapped Kian on the back. “Enjoy the festival.” Tipping my head toward the three women, I said, “Ladies, have a good day.”
“You too, Gavin!” Cadie shouted, as I continued down Main Street.
I hadn’t gotten very far when I heard my name being called. I tried to pretend I didn’t hear Brystol, but she apparently wasn’t having any of that. After calling out my name twice, she shouted as if someone was about to murder her.
“Officer Quinn!”
Everyoneturned and looked.
I smiled and said a few hellos to folks around me before turning and glaring at Brystol.
“You wouldn’t stop, so you left me no choice.”
“I didn’t hear you.”
A single brow rose. “You didn’t hear me?”
I motioned around me. “Have you noticed all the people today?”
Brystol looked around, then focused back on me. “Have you eaten lunch yet?”
Frowning, I shook my head. “No.”
