Page 115 of Meant for Me
Couldn’t say he missed it.
Noah, perched next to Linc and Cade on the hard wooden bench inside the Magnolia Parish Jail, narrowed his eyes as he looked around the cramped holding cell. “This feels familiar.”
Down the hall, Sheriff Rubart paced, keys dangling from his belt. The lobby of the facility buzzed with eager voices.
Linc elbowed his friend. “Yeah, not sure a jail cell is a good look for a new mayor.”
“Guess I was sitting right here with my dad, what—a year ago?” Noah winced. “Gotta say, the company is infinitely better this time.”
“Happy to help.” Linc stood, grabbed for one of the overhead bars. Knocked out a strict pull-up.
“Oh, come on. Show off. Just because you can…” Cade leaned back against the wall, then seemed to think better of it as his pastel, dress-shirt-clad shoulders brushed the dirty surface. He winced. “Hey, when do you think they last cleaned in here?”
“Don’t ask,” Sheriff called from down the hall.
“Guess your favorite designers don’t make an appropriate ‘rot in jail all day’ line, huh?” Noah smirked.
“Don’t hate.” Cade brushed his hands on his creased slacks. “I’m a lawyer now, man. I have to dress the part.”
Linc grunted as he leaned one shoulder against the wall. “You looked the part way before you passed the bar and started practicing.”
“Hey, you gotta dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” Cade spread his hands wide. “At least I’m aware other materials exist besides flannel.”
Noah shot him a sideways look. “Guess your wardrobe explains why August Bowman was so eager to add you to his practice when you passed the bar, then.”
“Right. Had nothing to do with my test scores, reputation, hard work ethic…” Cade droned.
“Ethics, huh? How are those treating you while in jail?” Rosalyn approached from the other side of the bars and leaned in close, eyes light with humor. The giant engagement ring on her finger sparkled under the fluorescent lights.
Cade groaned. “Why do I get the feeling you’re the one paying the most money to keep me in here?”
“At least we’re not married yet. Otherwise it’d be your money too.” She winked. “Boys, is he complaining much? Or just worried about his clothes?”
“Both.” Noah and Linc answered at the same time.
Zoey and Amelia came up behind Rosalyn, wearing matching grins. Linc’s heart stammered a little at the sight of his wife, dark-haired and blue-eyed—and all his. Suddenly made him wish he’d gone for a few pushups after the pull-up.
Zoey gripped the bars with both hands, blinked up at him. Her purple top brought out her eyes, which she’d probably done on purpose to torture him. “This whole jail thing probably won’t help your bad-boy reputation, you know?”
“Very funny.” He joined her at the bars, wrapping his fingers around hers. “Did you pay to bail me out?” Been several hours. At this point, he just wanted to go home.
With her.
Zoey tossed back her hair, feigning nonchalance. “Actually, Amelia talked me into paying to keep you in. Just until after the Spring Fling this weekend.”
“What?”
She chuckled. “Kidding, kidding.”
“Come on, Dad. I really don’t want to fight you over my dress.” Amelia crossed her arms, cocked her hip—attitude as usual. Except now, there was a smile accompanying it, not to mention that title he’d never get sick of hearing.Dad. “I know you’re going to think it’s too short.”
“Because it probably is.” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re not going with a boy, are you?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s just Michael.”
“Sounds like a boy.”
“It’s not like that. He’s my best friend.”
