Page 73 of So in Love
13
Seatedon the love seat in Stella’s coffee shop, Crystal snuggled into Jamie’s side as she watched the morning drizzle dampen the street outside.Thick clouds had moved in late last night, storming against the windows of Jamie’s loft, the rain impatient to let loose.
Jamie pressed a kiss to her temple before sipping his coffee.Just sitting here with him, enjoying the peace and quiet was bliss.She had no desire to venture out in that ice-cold rain and go to the airport.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?”Jamie asked, as if reading her mind.
“No.I have a car picking me up.”She always used a service going to and from the airport.
“If I drove you, that would be another hour plus that we’d get to spend together,” Jamie said.
Crystal turned her head on his shoulder and looked up at him.“You’re pathetic, you know that?”
He grinned.“Utterly.”
“Besides, you need a nap.We got up way too early.”They’d gone to the hospital around five when the birth of Bex and Hayden’s baby had been imminent.Summer Emily Archer had come into the world just after six.A crowd of Archers and Westcotts had filled the waiting area.
Jamie yawned in response.“Worth it though.Summer’s adorable.”
Crystal couldn’t help but agree—as were Summer’s parents.Bex and Hayden had been absolutely glowing despite their exhaustion.
Stella, the grandmotherly owner of the shop, came nearby, wiping the table next to them.When she finished, she moved closer, her gaze falling on Crystal.“You’re Alaina’s friend, aren’t you?”
Crystal straightened next to Jamie.“Yes.I think we’ve met but it’s been a while.”One of Stella’s employees had made their drinks earlier, but Crystal had come into the coffee shop before.
Stella smiled, and she pushed her glasses up her nose.“I think so too.It’s nice to see Jamie with someone.”She winked at Jamie.“Won’t your mother be happy to have all three of her boys married off?”
“Whoa there,” Jamie said, uncrossing his legs.“No one here is getting married.”He slid an amused glance at Crystal, who nodded in agreement.
Stella chuckled.“You won’t hear it from me.”She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a stage whisper.“But you know how small towns talk—and if you’re going to canoodle on my love seat in front of the main window, you’re just inviting speculation.”She winked again, but Crystal didn’t find any of it amusing.She’d come from a small town that liked to talk, and she hated going back there.She suddenly wasn’t too upset about leaving today.
“Well, I appreciate you not feeding any rumors,” Jamie said wryly.
“Speaking of rumors,” Stella said, looking at Crystal again.“I heard you’re writing a screenplay about Ribbon Ridge and that the KKK is somehow involved.”
What the hell?Crystal’s insides churned as adrenaline dumped through her.She clasped her hands in her lap.“Where did you hear that?”
Stella shrugged.“A friend of mine.She said she heard you talking to Kelsey at the library.”
Great.Crystal hadn’t realized anyone had been within eavesdropping distance.Son of a bitch.
“So is it true?”Stella prompted.
Jamie put his hand over Crystal’s.“Crystal doesn’t discuss projects in development.”
“Sounds like she did at the library.”Stella fixed her with a pointed stare.“Well, if you are, I would hope you’re doing your due diligence.I can’t imagine the good people of Ribbon Ridge putting up with the KKK in our town.”
Crystal started to shake.“History is full of bad decisions.”
“I suppose that’s true.Still, to think that happened here…” She clucked her tongue in disapproval.“Even if it did, why not set your story someplace else?Make up a fictional town or something.Folks around here would appreciate that a lot more, and if you do have a future with the charming Mr.Westcott here, you’d be better off.”She cast a smile toward Jamie.
“I’m sure you’d want history to be told,” Jamie said with a chilly edge to his tone.“And showing that it happened here—which it did—proves that it can happen anywhere.”
“I don’t dispute that.But like I said, why not make up a fictional town—because itcouldhappen anywhere.”She looked back toward Crystal.“I thought Hollywood liked drama based on true stories but not actually true stories.”She laughed as if that would take the sting from her practically threatening words.
Though it wasn’t time for her car to arrive at Jamie’s, Crystal wanted to leave.“I’ll take your suggestion under advisement.”She didn’t bother keeping the sarcasm out of her voice as she stood.
Jamie got up beside her and looked her way.“Ready?”
