Page 76 of Part of Me (The Seaside Chronicles 2)

“He said something that I dismissed at first. But the more I think about it, the more I’m bothered by it.”

“What did he say?” Addie urged.

Palmer looked at me as she spoke. “He said he thought it was cute how Brody thinks he won.”

“Who said that?”

Brody’s presence instantly put me at ease, and I found my voice. “Palmer ran into Jack on the pier. He said that to her.”

“When did this happen?” he asked.

“A couple of days ago,” Palmer answered. “At the time I just blew it off, but now I’m starting to think it was some kind of warning.”

Addie looked up at Brody. “You don’t think he would try to hurt you, do you?”

Her words caused my stomach to lurch, and I stared up at Brody in alarm.

Brody shook his head. “No, I think he’s all talk. But just to be safe, I think we need to let the lawyer know about it.”

“Did the sale of the shop happen yet?” Palmer asked.

I put my napkin down on my plate, my appetite gone. “We’re supposed to close on it next week.”

Palmer sighed. “Thank God. Then he’ll totally be out of your life.”

“I think I’m going to head back to the store,” I said. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

Palmer reached her hand across the table for mine. “I’m sorry, Sutton. I hope I didn’t upset you. But when the topic of Jack came up, I remembered that conversation.”

I forced myself to smile. “No, no, you didn’t upset me. I just need a moment or two. And I really should get back and open up.”

As soon as I stood, Brody put his arm around me. “I already paid for your lunch, ladies, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to steal my wife away.”

I could see the worry etched on both of my sisters’ faces.

“Steal away!” Addie said in a sad attempt to sound chipper.

Brody pressed his hand to the small of my back as he guided me out of the restaurant. My mind was so crazy with thoughts of Jack that I didn’t even think to say goodbye to my parents.

“Is Harlee working at the shop today?” Brody asked as we headed down the sidewalk. I had walked to the restaurant since it wasn’t that far from Coastal Chic.

“No, she isn’t. Why?”

The crease between his brows showed he was worried about something.

“You don’t think Jack is really stupid enough to do something to you?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Not me.”

I stopped walking and faced him. “Me? Do you think he’s going to do something to me?”

“I’m not sure, Sutton.”

Something was clearly wrong. “Brody, what are you not telling me? I can see it on your face; you have something to say.”

He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you…and honestly, I don’t really want to.”

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “It has to do with Jack?”

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