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“Pepper, is that you?” I hear Dad ask cautiously from behind the counter.
“Mr. Reeves? Oh my gosh. Yes—it’s me. Well, I go by Penelope now. I knew someone would still be living in this town. You work here?”
He scoffs. “Sort of. Bought the place.”
“Really? Why? I mean. That’s great. I need a room. Any room.”
“I’m sorry, Pep—Penelope. We’re booked.”
“Booked?” She laughs but in a panicky sort of way that piques my curiosity. A curiosity I buried a long time ago when it came to her. “How can this place be booked?”
Dad blinks and I cough a laugh.
This grabs her attention and she turns, looking for the source.
Big, tired eyes lock with mine and her lips part—but only slightly—as she sweeps her gaze over me. Then turns back to the only gentleman in this entire establishment.
“Look, I’m desperate. I’m sure you save something for you know…important people?” She winces at her own words.
I prop up my elbow as I lean back against the window in my seat, curious as fuck to see how Dad will handle that one.
I’m stroking my jaw and bottom lip with my thumb when Dad catches his immediate response with a light chuckle.
I know he’s about to comment something like “We consider everyone who walks in here important, Penelope,” but I beat him to it.
“Is that how it’s done in Washington, Pepper?” I ask smugly.
She turns to me with a scowl. A slightly more prepared ‘you again’ scowl that almost makes me laugh. And there isn’t much I find funny these days. “Not surprised to see you still here, Chase.”
Well, well. Pepper Woods remembers my name.
“Is that a veil?” I ask, leaning back in my booth and glancing at the white lace dangling from her backpack.
She snaps her head down and pushes the exposed piece back through the open zipper. “Mr. Reeves,” she starts again with fresh determination.
“Please, call me Aiden.”
She shakes her head. “Mr. Reeves. Please. I need…something.”
He considers it, but he and I both know there’s nothing he can do. Not unless he has her crash on his couch—for however long she needs. “Look, Pepper. I…understand you might not have family in town, but…don’t you have friends you can call?”
He sounds hopeful. He really does.
She chokes a laugh. “Friends. Yes. Yes, of course.” She shrugs awkwardly. “Lots.” Keeping her eyes on my dad, she pulls out her phone and holds it up. “I’ll just ring any one ‘em…right now.”
Dad licks his bottom lip and briefly focuses on the dark marble of the bar, like he wishes there was something else he could offer her.
“Why don’t you…have a seat and I’ll get something for you from the kitchen.”
She shakes her head absently. “No thank you. I’m not hungry. Water…maybe?”
He motions Bethany over with the pitcher.
I watch as Pepper’s chest moves up and down. Her eyes, dazed as if she’s wondering how she got here.
It’s like a train wreck, and I can’t look away.
Dad circles the bar and sits across from me. I sit up on alert because this isn’t going anywhere good.
