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A few neighbors have gathered. One of them rushes over with the security guard.
“It’s okay, Mr. Campbell,” I say to him. “You know these men, and they’re done fighting.”
“They better be.” He raises his phone. “I’m a second away from calling the cops.”
“I promise. They’re done. They’re leaving, in fact.”
“Like hell I am.” Dash walks toward me.
Easton puts his hand on Dash’s chest, stopping him from reaching me. “Did she invite you to go near her?”
Mr. Campbell tenses and raises his phone. “Do you boys want me to call the police?”
“No, sir. I apologize.” Easton uses his southern manners to persuade Mr. Campbell. “I’m just protecting my friend.” He glances at me. “Do you want to talk to him, or do you want him to leave?”
Dash glares at Easton. “I’m her fiancé. Of course, she wants to talk to me.”
Ignoring him, Easton stares at me. “Whatever you want.”
To start, I don’t want an audience for this. I’m also not ready to hear more lies from Dash. But I can’t let him leave without telling him I know the truth.
I step to Easton’s side and eye Dash, my hands shaking. “I know. Don’t say a word. I won’t believe it, anyway. Just listen. I know about the other woman and the baby. I know you’re a cheater and a liar, and now you know. You’re a rotten person and we will never be together again. Leave and don’t ever come back.”
His face pales, and his eyes widen. He opens his mouth to speak.
Easton pushes him back a step. “You heard her. Leave.”
“Sadie?” Dash implores.
“Do you want me to carry you out?” Easton says calmly. I notice his knuckles are cut and swollen.
Dash backs up on his own and straightens his shirt from where Easton’s hand wrinkled the fabric.
“Good boy.” Easton smirks.
Dash’s eyes catch mine, and then he turns on his heel and stalks away.
Good riddance.
“I’ll go too if you want, but first…” Easton walks to a nearby bench and picks up DP’s travel cage from where it was safely hidden. “I got him for you. I knew you’d miss him.”
“You brought me Detective Pickles?” My heart swells with warmth. “How?” I take the cage.
“I flew there and brought him back. Your car will take longer, but I’ll get it for you, too.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to, Sadie.” His whiskey gaze bores into mine. “How are you?”
This is the caring, thoughtful friend I know. The friend I went and fell in love with. The friend who just yesterday asked me to give him a chance. Did he mean it?
The neighbors have scattered and returned to their condos. Mr. Campbell left with Dash.
I glance at Easton’s beat-up knuckles. “You should come upstairs and wash those cuts.” I turn and let him follow me to my condo.
At the front door, I shift DP’s cage to one hand.
“Let me.” Easton opens it and waits for me to enter.
