Page 17 of Wine and Research
Faith frowned. “I donotwant your asshat brother, Evie. No offense,” Faith claimed, but the blush in her cheeks gave her away, as did Jenna’s.
“Just so you know, everyone is aware of the chemistry between you and them,” Elle said. “I’m a people watcher. Those two might be in denial, but it is definitely there.”
Both Evie and Sophia murmured in agreement.
“Yeah, well, we deserve men who have a clue,” the pretty florist stated, sitting up straighter.
Chuckling, Evie shook her head. “Hate to break it to you, but you’ll be waiting a long time, then, because men rarely have a clue. Even my husband, and I love him dearly.”
“It’s true. Most men don’t.” Sophia nodded. “I love Ryder dearly too, but there are times when he traverses without a clue, too.”
Elle sat up and pulled out her pen and notepad. “Oh, that’s good. Can I use that in a book?”
“Absolutely.” Sophia smiled, turning her head to sneak a peek at her fiancé laughing with Scott and Nico at the bar. “Just don’t tell Ryder I said it.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” she assured, writing down the quote before stowing away her pad and pen.
After Evie left with their orders, which were all pasta dishes and no pizza, Jenna leaned closer.
“Does my brother have any leads about the burglaries?”
She shook her head. “None that he’s revealed to me. I do know he plans to talk with you tomorrow, as well as Faith and a few other shop owners he didn’t get to question today.”
Elle could understand Jenna’s concern, and it truthfully worried her that Gabe’s was almost broken into, and that both Jenna and Faith could be next.
The conversation turned to the theater and the sets Sophia was working on for the upcoming musical. Elle was happy for the change in subject, and it remained lighthearted all through their meal, right into dessert.
Even though she could be back at the cabin writing, Elle was glad she’d kept the girls’ night out date. She scooped a forkful of tiramisu into her mouth and barely held back a moan. It was good, and so was connecting with friends. A luxury she knew was dangerous, but since it wasn’t going to be long-term, Elle didn’t see the harm. Once her books were written, she’d move on to another state and start a new series.
But for now, she enjoyed the company and not getting so self-absorbed in deadlines, writer’s block, and a certain sexy cop who…just walked into the restaurant.
Chapter Six
An imaginary swarm of butterflies took up residence in her belly.
So that’s what it felt like…
Elle had often written about it in her books but had never experienced the phenomenon. She actually thought it was just a fictitious description.
Who knew it was real? Not her.
Until now.
“Ah, it looks like Elle’sclueless hot cop menu itemjust walked in,” Faith stated, digging her fork into her slice of cheesecake.
Despite having resided in the Poconos for almost a year, Elle rarely saw Jeremy out of uniform. An image of him naked in her dreams flashed through her head and sent heat slicing through the butterflies in her belly.
She hadn’t meant out of uniform in that way. Giving herself a mental shake, she forced the images out of her head and concentrated on what her eyes could see.
The jeans hugging Jeremy’s hips had well-worn creases in all the right places, and his gray T-shirt stretched across his wide shoulders and defined chest, causing her heart to skip a beat.
Damn, he was sexy, and hot, and human, and…mad?
He strode to the bar, sat on a corner stool, and nodded to Nico, who shoved a beer toward him, then he pinned her with a steely gaze.
The butterflies nosedived in Elle’s belly, while her chest tightened.
What was his problem?
