“Are they dating?” Sadie watched out the window as the trio made their way to Harrold’s shop. “I didn’t think Jackie was interested in that type of relationship with him.”
“She’s not sure about what she wants. Josh, well, he’s still trying.” I lifted another table and carried it to a place right in front of the window. I watched my aunt walk away, sandwiched between the oversized Josh and the tall Harrold. For a minute, seeing Harrold from the back next to my aunt, I remembered my uncle Ted. He was just about Harrold’s height. The memory made me smile. They’d had a perfect marriage. One I hoped to mirror someday.
Sadie grabbed her purse. “Looks like the shop’s back together. I guess I’d better head home. I’ve got Lille’s order to finish.”
“Hold on, I’ll walk with you.” I went to the back room and got my own purse. I paused when I walked by Sasha. “If you need help before Toby shows, just give me a call.”
Sadie waited by the door. “I’m the opposite direction of your house. I don’t really need an escort.”
I pushed the door open. “I need to talk to you about something.”
She followed me as we crossed Main Street, no cars coming from either side. “What’s going on? You’re making me nervous.”
I slowed down, not sure how exactly to approach the subject. “Greg wanted me to tell you something.”
“Please don’t tell me he really believes I could have done something to Kacey. I feel bad for the girl, despite my past relationship with Austin.” Sadie put her hand on my arm, slowing my progress. “You don’t believe I could do something like that, right?”
“Of course, I mean, I don’t think Greg thinks you’re a murderer either, but he had to—” My words were interrupted by Sadie’s phone chime.
She took her phone out of her purse and held up a hand. “Hold on, it’s Nick.”
My heart sank. I was too late. “Sadie, listen to me,” but she’d already answered the call and put her hand up to stop my words.
“Hey, honey, how’s school going?” She leaned against the side of The Glass Slipper. The glass shop was closed for the day. Typically the owner, Marie Jones, only opened the shop on weekends and the nights when she held classes. Wednesdays, the place was deserted.
I watched Sadie’s face as she listened to Nick, who was probably telling her what I had been about to say. That Greg had come to question him about his activities that weekend and where he’d been when the food truck was vandalized.
“So, you’re okay? He didn’t take you into custody or anything, did he?”
I heard Nick’s laugh from where I stood.
Sadie shook her head. “Fine, but next time, tell Mr. King that you’re not talking to him about anything without an adult being present.”
She clicked off the phone. “I take it you knew?”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you. Greg went up this morning to make sure Nick wasn’t involved in the food truck incident.” I sagged into a bench on the sidewalk. I decided not to point out the fact since Nick was over eighteen, he really was an adult himself. “Is he okay?”
She nodded. “He thinks it’s funny. The good news is, he has an airtight alibi for Monday night as he was with his debate team, including his professor, getting ready for their first event this weekend. And yes, your boyfriend talked to Mr. Allen and verified his story. Which probably makes Nick look like a criminal or something.”
“I’m sure Greg was discreet.” I took in Sadie’s erect posture and clipped words. She was furious.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. And I don’t need an escort home. You’ve delivered the message, a little late, but I know now.” Sadie turned toward home.
“Sadie, come have lunch with me, we’ll talk,” I called after her. Food could fix anything, including hurt feelings. At least that was my mantra.
“No, thank you.”
I watched Sadie walk away and hoped that she’d be able to forgive. Even though I hadn’t done anything, apparently since I hadn’t told her immediately, I was as bad as Greg in her mind.
The good news was, Nick was in the clear. The bad news was, I might have lost a friend in the process.
I turned and walked home, hoping the sun would break through the clouds and lift the gray from the day if not from my mood.
CHAPTER 6
Thursday’s shift was quiet, but I wasn’t able to lose myself in the novel I’d been reading. I picked up several of the new release advance copies our sales rep had dropped off, but nothing kept my attention. I kept thinking about Sadie and the scene from yesterday.
I took out the laptop and spent the next few hours reviewing the accounting. Usually Aunt Jackie had to badger me into approving the last week’s figures, but today, the numbers stopped my racing mind and gave me something to think about other than Sadie.