Page 44 of A Little Twist

She points at the purple neon sign for the Star Parlor. “Ryan says they do magic in there, but Bubba says they only do card tricks.”

I grab the key from above the door as I consider her statement. Aiden was very hostile towards Britt’s family’s business when they first got together. I have no idea how Alex feels about tarot and magic, or the fact that I used to do it as well.

We really should have a conversation about all these landmines, but how can I possibly anticipate what a four-year-old will say?

“They definitely have fancy cards in there.” It’s a good, safe reply, and I catch her hand. “Let’s see what’s up here, okay?”

Piper said they packed up everything after the party, so there’s no danger of Pinky seeing anything inappropriate. I just have to get the box and figure out where it’s going to live until the next bachelorette.

Unlocking the door, I’m still humming “Paper Rings” when my eye catches the angel ring still on my finger. I forgot to take it off, and a tickle fills my stomach. I like shiny things… but I have to remind myself it’s not real. We’re just pretending while Drake is in town.

The brown box sits on the coffee table, and I walk over to grab it as Pinky runs to look out the window. ThatBBLbumper sticker falls to the floor, and I scoop it up, stuffing it in my pocket.

Pinky calls, “Daddy’s here!”

“What?” I walk over to where she’s looking at the town square below.

Alex’s car is parked in Aiden’s reserved spot.

“I wonder what he’s up to.” My voice is quiet, but I have a wild hair. “Come on, we have to take this box to my car. Then who wants to go for a swim?”

“Me! Me! Me!” Pinky jumps around waving her arms.

“Maybe we’ll swing by and pick up your cousin.” Adam probably needs a break.

She holds my pocket as we return to my car, and I put the box in my trunk before buckling her into the booster seat. We’re about to head out when I make a quick stop by Alex’s car.

Let the games begin…

CHAPTER13

ALEX

“Did you see me doing the Cupid Shuffle?” Deputy Doug flaps his arms like a bird as he slides to the right in front of Holly’s desk. “I haven’t danced that much since Julia graduated college. I didn’t see you dancing, Al. Don’t you like to dance?”

“I saw him dancing with Cass Dixon, and I had to grab a fan.” Holly gives me a wink. “The chemistry was real.”

My eyes narrow, and I wonder if anyone else noticed.

“Oh, yeah, she’s a looker.” Doug waggles his eyebrows at me as he swipes a Krispy Kreme donut from the open box on Holly’s desk. “You think they did more than dance?”

The two of them titter conspiratorially, and it’s like I’m not even in the room. I’m certainly not needed in the conversation.

Shaking my head, I look around the open space. “If you’ll just show me which desk is Britt’s?”

Aiden asked me to stop by the office and pick up his wife’s laptop, even though they’re supposed to be taking a few days off for their honeymoon while Adam keeps Owen.

I’d hoped to be in and out, but one of the quirks of small-town life is it always takes thirty minutes longer to run any errand, especially when people you’ve known most of your life are involved.

Some would call it charming.

“Right this way, boss.” Doug does a little shoulder jostle before leading me to a small desk across the open room. “Although I guess I’m the boss when Aiden’s on vacation. Let’s hope no major crimes occur.”

“I’ll second that every day,” Holly calls from her desk.

Doug’s been the deputy sheriff since my dad was alive, and as easygoing and helpful as he is, I agree with Holly. I’m glad we’re never in danger of him running things.

“Speaking of, that sure was a weird crime spree we had last year.” He chatters as I take the laptop and cord off the wooden desk.

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