Perfect Night (Mason Creek)

I laughed, as I took my wine and teasingly promised to give her all the details anyway. By the time I made it to the bar, I was practically hovering on air. My phone buzzed.

“Hello?” I didn’t recognize the number.

“Emma Hawkins?”

“This is she.”

“Hi, this is Grady Jackson with Dream BIG travel agency.”

“Yeah, hey.” I had no idea why he’d be calling me.

“I’m sorry to call you about this. Your father bought tickets for you and Evan.”

“Honeymoon,” I said to myself.

“Yes.”

It was like a lance through my heart. Dad hated Evan, yet he’d gotten me a thoughtful gift for a wedding that was no longer going to happen. “Can it be canceled?”

“He did buy the trip insurance—”

“But?” I asked.

“But, that insurance relates to you and Evan, not your dad.”

“I’m stuck with it?”

“Kind of. I can probably switch Evan’s tickets to another name or cancel if we can get credits.”

“I’m not marrying Evan. So cancel it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, and thank you.”

“One more thing,” he began. “I run a real estate agency as well if you’d like to sell or buy anything.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jack called me to the front to help. Apparently, two of our waitresses called out sick. Just as I was ushering the last of our lunch patrons, Darcy walked in and took a seat at the bar.

I forced a smile because I did have to live here. We would run into each other and I didn’t want it to be awkward.

“Emma,” she said when I returned behind the counter.

“Yes, Darcy.”

“I thought we should talk.”

I glanced around and there was no one in the area. My bartender had gone on their break.

“Say what you have to say,” I said.

“I wanted you to hear it from me. I hooked up with Evan.”

I folded my arms. “I guessed. Did you want to rub it in my face?”

“He swore things were over between the two of you.”

“Of course, he did. You’re welcome to him, or is pain a hard limit for you?” Okay, that had been mean, but it was too late to take back. Apparently, she’d seen the humor.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. He’s a psychopath. If I were you, I’d leave town. He’s obsessed with you.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?” I asked.

“I would.”

“Is that all?” At this point, I wanted her to leave.

She narrowed her eyes in the face of my sarcasm. “Not exactly. Did Aiden tell you I come over once a week and we spend time together, eating pizza.”

I lifted my shoulders and let them fall like I didn’t have a care in the world. “Aiden doesn’t have to check in with me. I trust him.”

“Pretend not to care all you want. I’m tired of living in your shadow and I’m not giving up Aiden without a fight,” she said.

“I’m not fighting you over a guy. Besides, I would kick your ass. But if you haven’t gotten the memo, Aiden chose me.”

She got up from her seat and tossed the ring Evan had given me on the counter. She’d taken it. “For now. He’ll get bored with you and come back to me. He always does. He never stays away for long. So enjoy yourself while you can.”

I will not hate her. I will not hate her, I repeated in my head. I hated her.

The drinking rush was worse later. It felt like everyone in town wanted an escape. Down two people, I couldn’t leave early. I was stuck until closing time. It was late when I arrived at Aiden’s. I used the key he left me. He’d texted me that he’d left it in the same place.

He wasn’t downstairs, so I went upstairs. He was on the bed with one arm folded behind his head and his eyes glued to the TV. I dropped my bag in the chair in the corner. Then, I proceeded to remove my clothes.

Once done, I stood in the lacy bodysuit I’d paid good money for at Queen’s Unmentionables. His eyes had tracked me the entire time.

“Your hair looks nice,” he said, his smile half-cocked.

“That’s what you noticed?” I shifted on my feet feeling more confident than I had all my life.

“I notice everything about you when you walk into a room.”

“Do you now?” I asked.

“Yes. I’m just waiting for you to come closer.”

“Yeah,” I said, moving forward.

He snagged my wrist and I giggled as he tumbled me onto the bed.

“I take it, waiting is over,” he said.

My answer was ruined by the sound of his phone ringing. He exhaled. “I have to get that.”

He was a cop and was never truly off duty especially in a small town like this.

I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation. What I did get was a lot of grunts until he said, “I’m on my way.” Then he turned to me. “I’m sorry Emma. I have to go.”