Marigold came to the table, dressed in a pink shirt and floral skirt. Her hair always looked nice, which made sense, considering what she did for a living. She looked at the full table and took half a step back.
“Hey. Busy in here tonight.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can go find somewhere else to sit.”
Maybe it was just me, but she seemed almost nervous. Which was weird.
But it was probably just me. I kept assuming everyone was keeping secrets or harboring ulterior motives.
“No, we can make room,” Audrey said.
Zachary stood. “I have to be at work early. Later.” He unceremoniously sauntered off toward the front door.
“Damn it, Z’s my ride.” Luke got up and offered his chair to Marigold. “You look beautiful tonight, Mari. Sorry I can’t stay.”
She smiled and took his seat. “Thanks.”
He pushed her chair in before saying goodbye.
Audrey looked at me, her eyebrows lifted, as if she were trying to ask, or maybe tell me something. She flicked her eyes toward my departing brothers, then toward Marigold. I still didn’t know what she was getting at.
She sighed.
Marigold reached for Audrey’s hand. “Tell me how you’re doing. I heard about Lou. What was he thinking?”
“He’s just trying to do his best in a confusing situation.”
“He’s being a dick,” I said. “He should be giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
“I agree,” Marigold said.
“At least I’m on paid leave. Once he gets in touch with my old boss, I’m sure she’ll clear it up. I bet he calls me Monday morning and asks me to come back.”
“This whole thing is so crazy,” Marigold said. “You still don’t have any idea who’s behind it?”
“Not really,” Audrey said. “But with all the cameras Josiah put up at the house, no one’s getting close without us knowing about it. And the SPS patrols seem to be helping. At least there haven’t been any more squirrel murders.”
“That’s one good thing.”
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want animals to die—I wasn’t a monster—but it was not the squirrels I was worried about.
“I’m not going to lie, Audrey,” Marigold said. “I keep thinking it must be that ex-boyfriend of yours. The one who lives up in Pinecrest? I know you said you don’t think it’s him, but I just have a feeling.”
I met Audrey’s gaze and raised my eyebrows.
“I know, it might be,” she admitted.
“He could have hired someone to do the dirty work. He’s a suit, right?”
Audrey nodded. “He’s an attorney.”
“That seems like that type to have a henchman. He probably has the money. Or maybe he has a shady client who can’t afford to pay him, so he struck a deal. The guy harasses you and your ex will make sure he gets a lighter sentence. Or maybe I’ve been reading too many romantic suspense novels lately.”
“Hiring out the dirty work isn’t a bad theory,” I said. “It would explain how he always has an alibi.”
“The cops would have thought of that, right?” Audrey asked.
“It seems like it,” Marigold said.
I didn’t know what Garrett and the other guys on the case were doing. They wouldn’t tell me shit. Which was probably just part of the job, but it still pissed me off.
Sandra came in and waltzed directly to our table. She plopped into the empty chair with a smug smile.
“What’s going on?” Audrey asked. “You look very suspicious.”
“I quit.”
Audrey’s eyes widened and Marigold’s mouth opened in surprise.
“What?” Audrey asked. “Please tell me you didn’t quit because of me.”
“Damn right I quit because of you. Lou had no right to believe some random person over you. I don’t care what kind of supposed evidence they claimed to have. He should have taken your side. So I walked out. Ledger did too.”
“Are you going to come back if he takes me back?” I asked. “I can’t work there without you and Ledger, especially now.”
“If Lou apologizes properly, like a man, then I’ll consider it. And you better not go back unless he grovels. Make him work for it, Audrey. Don’t accept anything less.”
“I know, you’re right,” she said. “It’s just that I kind of need a job.”
“Oh come on.” Sandra waved off her concern. “You said this job was just to get back on your feet anyway. Maybe this will be the kick in the pants you need to find something better. Besides, it’s not like your landlord will kick you out if you can’t pay rent.”
Audrey laughed and met my eyes. “Yeah, but I can’t take advantage.”
“I’m with Sandra.” I placed my knuckle under Audrey’s chin so she wouldn’t look away. “He needs to make it right with you if he wants you back.”
She gave me a little nod. “Okay.”
“It’s been a big day,” Sandra said. “I need a drink. Anyone else need a drink? Where’s Rocco?”
He appeared next to the table as if by magic. “What can I get ya?”
Sandra looked him up and down with a slight twitch of her lips. “A big grouchy bartender, if you’re offering. Or maybe just a vodka soda. Marigold, sweetie, do you need something?”
“Just a glass of chardonnay for me. Thanks, Sandra.”
“You can put it on my tab,” I said.
He tipped his chin in acknowledgment and went back to the bar.
“Why do you get table service?” I asked. “Rocco makes everyone else order at the bar.”
“I think he likes her,” Audrey said.
“In my dreams,” Sandra said on a sigh.
“I’m serious, Sandra, I think he likes you,” Audrey said. “You’re always teasing him but maybe you should see if he wants to go out for real.”
“Oh my gosh, you two would make the cutest couple,” Marigold said.
“If Rocco wanted to ask me out, he’s had more than enough opportunities.”
“Maybe he needs a little push,” Marigold said. “He could be shy on the inside.”
Audrey glanced toward the bar. “I think you’re right. He acts all gruff and intimidating but maybe he’s secretly afraid of rejection.”
Marigold clutched her hands to her chest. “He’s been harboring a crush on you for years but the more time that goes by, the more he thinks it must not be in the cards. I bet he’s pining for you, Sandra.”
She rolled her eyes. “You read too much.”
“I know, I really do. It’s given me very unrealistic expectations. But I still think he secretly likes you.”
“He totally does,” Audrey said.
“You girls are sweet, but I’m too old for that kind of love story.”
Marigold gasped. “No you’re not.”
“What do you think, Josiah?” Audrey asked.
I glanced at the three of them. Audrey and Marigold watched me with expectant eyes, as if I were about to say something profound to settle the argument. Sandra’s expression was full of skepticism.
“I’m not getting involved in this conversation.”
Audrey laughed and lightly smacked my arm. “You’re no fun.”
“I never said I was.”
Audrey and her friends chatted over their drinks. I was content to drink my beer, more or less in peace.
But one thing that Sandra had said stuck in my head like a splinter. You said the job was just until you got back on your feet.
Temporary.
I knew Audrey hadn’t moved here with plans to stay. That was why I should have steered clear of her in the first place.
But I hadn’t been able to stay away from her.
And I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a mistake.
CHAPTER 30
Audrey
Something was wrong with Josiah.
It wasn’t the fact that he’d been quiet that tipped me off. He was usually quiet. If he had something to say, he’d say it, but otherwise, he didn’t fill the silence. It was refreshing, reminding me that I didn’t have to fill every awkward silence either.
But today was different.
I sat at the kitchen table in my house, picking at the remains of my breakfast, my laptop open but powered down. He walked by and didn’t stop to kiss my head or my cheek, like he usually did.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He poured a cup of coffee. “Tile guy will be here any minute. I need to go let him in.”
“Okay.”
He left without another word. And without a kiss goodbye.