Daddy Undercover (Crescent Cove 9)

“Thanks. But what about Brooks?” And yes, I was well aware that question did not prove I was off the obsessed-with-the-sheriff cranberry sauce.

I was allowed to wallow in my needs for a while longer. At least until I had to leave for my parents’ house.

I glanced at the rooster clock on the wall. That time was not long from now. Eeep. I had to get off the phone soon.

“When you went back to the kitchen, he said something to the dude. He got up and hiked up his pants

as if he was walking over to a car he’d pulled over for speeding, and then he leaned down and got in the guy’s face. The dude held up his hands palms out, as if to apologize.”

“How dare he?”

“He dared. Big time. That guy didn’t look at you again, even when you were taking his order.”

“I mean, staring at my ass wasn’t polite.”

“He was hot. He could’ve been that impolite to me.”

“Lu.”

“I’m just saying. No, it wasn’t necessarily polite. Jared was not amused. He might not have the balls to man up and say he wants you, but he damn sure isn’t prepared to let anyone else take their shot.” She coughed. “You may want to tell Caleb to look into the witness protection program.”

I shouldn’t have laughed. Really, it was wrong. But I wasn’t much better than Jared. Women tended to fawn over him since he was objectively attractive, carried a weapon, and held a position of authority in this town.

He was also built in a superior fashion. Ultimately superior.

Whenever someone commented about his hotness to me, I usually glared at them or flounced off—or sometimes both. If I’d been more physically imposing, I couldn’t have promised not to say a few choice words to some of the pushier types.

I had no right. No right to be hurt over Trina. But I was a very flawed human who hadn’t had sex in so long that other than the thongs Jared had stolen, my granny panties were my sexy panties, since what was the point?

A few of my friends had suggested crazy early Black Friday shopping tomorrow. I wasn’t currently occupied with worrying about Brooks’ work schedule—enormous guilt over that aside—and I didn’t have to go in to the diner until midmorning, so maybe I’d rectify that whole panty situation. Maybe I’d even buy some to wear for my not-a-date. I deserved string bikini underwear, even if Caleb didn’t have a chance in Hades of seeing it on me.

“I should tell you your future card. It may play into the whole Brooks situation. Or your date with Caleb, before he’s found without his eyeballs at the bottom of Crescent Lake.”

“That’s not funny.” It was also absurd. Brooks would never kill someone in such a messy fashion. He was far too aware of evidence trails.

Which was neither here nor there.

“Explain this card to me then. You got the devil. Which means you’re probably going to be getting it on with someone very soon, and it’s going to be a life-changing, probably can’t walk the next morning kind of experience. Only problem is the whole thing is fraught with angst.” She coughed. “So, want to warn Caleb or should I?”

“You don’t even know him, do you? You’re still fairly new to working in town. Though gotta say, I think you need to move here already. Stop stalling looking for the perfect place, and make the jump.”

“Look who’s talking about jumping. You have BDE right now. Be careful, girl.”

“BDE?” I frowned. “How can I have big dick energy as a chick?”

“Not big dick. Big devil energy. All kinds of hormones and wild, unpredictable energies are at play right now. Be careful of where you step next.”

I stretched out my legs to admire my lace-up heels. If I was likely to freeze to death today, at least I’d look cute.

“I’d say Brooks should be careful. I’m wearing stilettos.”

A few minutes later, I said a hurried goodbye to Luna and finished up with my crustless pumpkin pie before sliding it into the oven. Brooks hated pumpkin pie with a passion. He looked forward to my pecan pie all year. The one I deliberately did not make for him.

Petty, who me?

I was late to realizing that my crustless pie had to chill for six hours before serving and did not look too pretty in the meantime. I stuck it in my cold bag just the same, hoping I’d find room to stick it in my parents’ fridge. Even as I rushed out the door with it in my hands, I knew that was a joke. I also knew not one member of my very large family would probably touch the thing.

The look on Brooks’ face would be worth it.