Things We Never Said (Hart's Boardwalk 3)

“Katniss from The Hunger Games.”

“That’s not a Disney movie, Kell,” Bailey cut in

.

“I’m aware it’s not Disney, Bailey, but if it will stop the good deputy from cornering me every chance she gets, then I’m happy to let that one go.”

I thought about it a second and heaved a sigh. “I can put together that costume from clothes we already have, and I’m pretty sure the props department at the Atlantic Theatre will have a bow and arrow we can borrow.”

“Great! I knew you’d pull it off. Also”—Kell shot a look at Emery—“my Elsa from Frozen has come down with the flu. If she’s not better by the day of the carnival, we’ll need a replacement.”

Emery seemed to sink further into her armchair, as if she could somehow disappear into it.

Feeling bad for her, I fibbed a little. “Emery is five ten and willowy. Janey is a five-foot-five, solidly built gymnast. I don’t know if I can alter the costume.”

Kell scoffed, “You can do it. Emery is the perfect Elsa.”

She winced. “But don’t you have Janey on the lead float this year?”

“Well, yes, but can you imagine how much more perfect it would be if it were you?” His eyes brightened at the idea. “Our ethereal bookstore owner gracefully leading the parade.”

“And then upchucking on tourists as she passes them by,” Bailey threw in. She shook her head at Kell. “Not happening.”

He gave Emery a regretful look and seemed to decide to remain silent on the subject.

I smiled as the color returned to Emery’s cheeks but then stopped smiling when Kell’s eyes returned to me. I knew that expression. That was his “I have another favor to ask” expression.

“What?”

“I’m sure you’ve all heard about the delicious detective who has joined our sheriff’s department. I’ve asked the sheriff to forward on my invitation to the good detective to take part in the parade.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Detective Sullivan?”

“Yes!” Kell sat on the arm of Bailey’s chair. “My God, have you seen him yet? Keeping my professionalism around him is hard. He’s very masculine. Very, very, very …” He sighed dreamily. “Of course, with that body of his, he’ll make the perfect Mr. Incredible, and you know we’ve been struggling to find someone to take that part on. Fingers crossed he says yes, so be prepared to make the costume. Jake, Annie, and Bryn will take over the finishing of the rest of the costumes so you can work on Wendy’s new costume and, obviously, if Detective Sullivan says yes, his costume.”

Panicked at the thought of having to spend time with and touch Michael, I shook my head. “No. Two weeks is not enough time.”

He frowned. “I’ve never known you to shy from a challenge before.”

“A challenge? Kell, this isn’t a challenge, this is impossible.”

“You know that word is not in my vocabulary, Dahlia,” he tutted with a shake of his finger.

Jess snorted beside me and I cut her a filthy look. She took a sip of her tea, but I heard her muffled bark of laughter.

“Kell,” I said, trying to keep my impatience out of my voice, “Wendy is one thing. She’s small, there’s less fabric to work with. But Michael is five eleven and built like a brick shithouse. That’s a lot of Lycra.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wondered what the hell I was panicking about. Michael would never agree to be in a parade as a cartoon character, let alone one who wore Lycra! I relaxed.

Kell’s eyebrows rose to his forehead. “Your Boston accent is showing, along with your surprising familiarity with our good Bostonian detective.”

Oh hell.

Bailey swallowed a smile and flicked her gaze to Emery whose mouth twitched suspiciously. She gave Jess a furtive look to find her shaking with quiet laughter.

Traitors.

All of them.

“I … uh …” Oh Jesus, whatever I told Kell would make it around town like wildfire, but if Michael was determined to pursue me, people would find out soon enough. “Yeah, we know each other. No big deal.”