Know Me Well (Wishful 3)

“We haven’t gotten started yet anyway,” Norah said. “Figured we’d wait on you, given demolition is your area of expertise.”

“That’d be a lot more relevant if you’d let me make things go boom,” Liam told her. “Mitch is more than capable of telling people how to tear a structure down.”

Mitch Campbell, a local architect and one of Liam’s oldest friends, lifted his hand. “Dude, I build stuff. I don’t destroy.”

“I suggested we kill some time by using it for target practice with those old potato canons we built senior year,” Judd said.

“Best physics project ever,” Liam pronounced. “Pretty sure that’s when Cruz knew he wanted to be a sniper. I found mine in the shed when I cleaned it out a couple months ago.”

“You boys gonna keep running your mouths or are you planning on doing some work?” Riley asked. “I was promised I could break stuff.”

“You heard the lady.” Liam made quick work assigning people to various posts, making a rapid plan of attack before grabbing a hardhat. He plunked it down on Riley’s head and handed her a pair of safety goggles and some leather gloves.

Riley eyed them for a moment before slipping both on.

“I can’t believe this thing is finally coming down.” Mitch looked fondly at the wreck of a playground, a sledge hammer balanced on his shoulder.

“Remember when we used to play Star Wars out here?” Liam crossed to a broken swing and slapped at it. “Looks like our Millennium Falcon is busted.”

“Ooo, maybe I should tweak the design,” Mitch said.

“Oh no you don’t,” Norah interrupted. “The castle and turret design was finalized and all the materials were bought based on those specs.”

“Spoil-sport,” Mitch grumbled. “Your fiancée is no fun,” he told his cousin.

Cam Crawford laughed and looped an arm around Norah’s waist, drawing her in for a smacking kiss. “You know my girl is gonna keep us on budget. That’s a good thing.”

Liam watched them, amused and a little envious at their obvious joy in each other. His parents had loved like that, and he only hoped to someday be half as lucky.

“Fine, fine. No Millennium Falcon.”

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Mitch’s sister, Miranda, said. “I’ve got an ER shift later, and I want time to shower and take a nap.”

“Your wish, Randa Panda.”

Miranda gave him a withering look that had him grinning in return. She’d crushed on him as a teenager. Unlike Riley, Miranda had always felt like a sister to him, so nothing ever came of it. But, God, it was still fun to poke at her.

“Okay, she who just found out Walgreens is opening out on the highway gets the first swing.”

Riley’s gaze flashed to his, but she didn’t ask how he knew.

“Man, seriously?” Norah asked.

“Look out,” Cam said. “She’s got that war-mongering look in her eye again. GrandGoods left her with a taste for blood.”

Riley jerked her chin toward Autumn. “Save your war-mongering for a campaign to save the library and the job of the head librarians. The pharmacy is fine.”

Liam was reasonably sure she’d say that up to and possibly including the place burning down. “War council can wait.” He led her toward a section of semi-rotten tunnel. Built in the days before the widespread use of plastic components, the thing was entirely wood, missing a few slats along the roof and sides.

“Stand back.” When she did as he asked, Liam demonstrated the correct hold and swing. “Think you can manage that?”

Riley held out a gloved hand for the sledgehammer. After making certain she had the proper grip, Liam moved well out of the way himself and watched her heft the thing. Her first swing had her turning a complete circle, missing the target completely.

Mitch laughed and started toward her. “You need a real man to show you how it’s done.”

&n

bsp; Liam held up a hand. “No, give her a minute.”