Page 13 of Hot Knot Summer
I give her the condensed version of my saga, which she listens to with an increasingly disgusted expression.
“What a complete waste of genetic material,” she declares when I finish. “And the friend? Almost worse.”
“Almost?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Alphas being trash is practically expected, but another Omega betraying you?” Ruby shakes her head. “That’s some next-level betrayal.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter, the words rougher than I mean them to be as I take another sip of whiskey. The burn is nothing compared to the twist in my chest, but at least it gives me something else to focus on.
“Listen,” Ruby says, her amber eyes serious. “Men are like buses. Miss one, there’s always another coming. And sometimes the next one is nicer, cleaner, and doesn’t smell like someone died in it.”
I choke on my whiskey, laughing despite myself. “That’s... weirdly specific.”
“I have a lot of bus-related trauma,” she says with a straight face before breaking into a grin. “But the point stands. This Alpha wasn’t your last chance at happiness. He was just a stop on the route.”
“God, now you’re getting metaphorical,” Lilygroans. “Next, she’ll be telling you about the transfer tickets of life.”
Ruby swats her with a bar towel. “My metaphors are excellent, thank you very much.”
Their banter makes me smile. Looking at these two women, so comfortable with each other, so genuine, makes me realize how superficial my friendship with Megan had always been. There was always a level of competition that I’d ignored, always a sense she was measuring herself against me.
“So, where are you staying while you’re in town?” Ruby asks, refilling our glasses with water.
“I rented a cabin a few miles outside town. The Pinecrest property?” I check my phone, realizing with a start that it’s almost 6 p.m. “Actually, I should probably head there soon and check in.”
Ruby’s eyebrows rise. “Isolated place. Beautiful, though.”
“Good for writing your stories,” Lily adds. “Oh, you should totally set your next book here in Whispering Grove! We could be characters.”
“I write fantasy, not small-town romance,” I say, but even as the words leave my mouth, I feel the tiniest tug. I’ve always craved the escape of far-off worlds, monsters, magic, battles bigger than real life in my books. It’s easier than facing the mess of the everyday. Still… there’s something about this place, as though it has its own kind of magic. The kind that sneaks up on you with front porches, good coffee, and people who might just want you to stay.
“Even better. Make me a witch. I’ve always wanted magic powers, especially when dealing with difficult customers.” Lily wiggles her fingers like she’s casting a spell. “I’d turn rude people into toads. Or maybe just make them compulsively overtip.”
I laugh. “I’ll consider it.”
“Ooh! And I could solve magical mysteries!” Lily’s eyes light up. “Like, ‘The Case of the Cursed Cupcakes’ or ‘Who Hexed the Honeybuns?’“
Ruby grins. “If Lily gets to be a witch, I want to be a werewolf. I already work nights at the bar, and I’m grumpy during full moons, anyway.”
“Perfect!” Lily claps her hands. “We could be a supernatural crime-solving duo. Ruby sniffs out the clues with her wolf senses, and I cast spells to trap the culprits.”
“I’d read that,” I admit, surprised by how much I’m enjoying this ridiculous conversation.
“What about Hannah?” Ruby asks. “Your sister’s too sweet to be anything scary.”
Lily taps her chin thoughtfully. “Fairy, definitely. Looks innocent but actually has ancient, terrifying power. Like, she smiles at you while simultaneously commanding an army of magical bees.”
We’re all giggling now as we build this absurd magical version of Whispering Grove.
The door behind the counter swings open, and a young, handsome, tall man with sleeve tattoos of nautical scenes steps through, carrying a box ofsupplies. “Did I miss something?” he asks, eyeing our laughter.
“We’re casting Emma’s next fantasy novel,” Ruby explains. “I’m a werewolf, Lily’s a witch, and Hannah’s a fairy queen.” She glances at me. “This is Ash, my bar hand and sometimes bodyguard for the place. Ash, this is Emma. She’s in town for vacation.”
Ash sets the box down, revealing the charming gap between his front teeth when he smiles. “What about me appearing in the story?”
“Hmm.” I study him, getting into the spirit. “Maybe a selkie? You’ve got the whole Navy background, nautical tattoos...”
“Nah,” Ruby cuts in. “He’s obviously a guardian griffin. Protector type with sharp eyes who can spot trouble from a mile away.”
