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I frowned hard. “There are extenuating circumstances. Just… I know that you want to know more, but for right now, I need you to leave it alone.”
“Those circumstances are going to be a moot point here in a bit,” Clayton pointed out. “Dad’s a pretty popular bitch. So is Saint. The quiet ones are always the ones most closely watched. And trust me when I say, you trying to keep shit quiet is only going to make it worse.”
Clayton did have a point.
We’d already told everyone we were together at the party. Tongues were already wagging. They were going to continue to wag, even more fiercely, if we didn’t stay together. Drama was way more popular than facts.
Thinking that he was absolutely right, I hesitantly pulled my phone out to text Saint.
Caro: My brothers and I got to talking today. They said that the news of us was already all over the station. They also pointed out that it was going to draw more attention that we’re no longer together than it would if we just stayed together. I kind of hate to admit this, but he’s right.
Caro: I want to officially invite you over to my parents’ place for Christmas. We do our presents in the morning, then kind of just hang out until we eat Christmas dinner. It’s nothing fancy, so you don’t have to dress up or anything. Or even get any Christmas gifts. And, I’ll totally pretend that it isn’t your birthday, too.
Caro: Also, I’d like you to know that Smoke is doing awesome. Today I woke up and he was staring at me with curiosity. From the bathroom sink where he was curled up. Overflowing the sink. Was Smoke a cat in his past life?
Caro: I hope that I don’t offend you. I’ll still be quiet if you want me to. Just… let me know. I’m here. Whatever you want to do. I miss you.
I put my phone away so that I wasn’t tempted to continue to text.
Saint: Yeah, I came over to see you and Smoke, but you weren’t here.
Saint: I have to work tonight. Which means I have to go to sleep here in a minute. But I wanted you to know, if you’ll still have me, I’ll come with you. Luke and a few other men let me know that staying away from you was futile. And, apparently, I’ve done a pretty good job at hiding my tracks as well as who I am. I’ll be over as soon as my shift is finished… meet at your place or your parents’?
A huge freakin’ grin overtook my face. One that looked like the Cheshire cat’s.
Caro: We’re at the donut shop. Dillan’s bakery, if you want to join us.
Saint didn’t answer, and I was kind of disappointed.
Then a thought occurred to me. If he was going to come see me, that meant that going to see him was no longer against the rules. I could get him some donuts for his birthday. Take them to him at work.
“Be right back,” I said as I got up and walked up to the front counter.
Dillan, who was wiping down one of the display cases, looked up at me and smiled.
“Hey, babe,” she said. “More donuts? I swear, your brothers eat like Asa.”
“I think it’s a boy thing,” I admitted. “They’ve always eaten like they’re being fed their last meal. I saw that you make birthday donuts. I know that it’s kind of short notice but thought it couldn’t hurt to ask. The other day was when Saint celebrated his birthday, and I wanted to get him some donuts. Take them to him at work later tonight just for an excuse to go see him.”
Dillan stood up, her eyes wide. “You and Saint?”
I forgot she hadn’t been at the party.
She’d had to get up early today to open her store and was usually in bed by nine. Plus, Asa had been feeling under the weather, so she’d stayed home with him.
“You didn’t know?” I asked. “I figured that’d be the first thing that everyone told their significant others when they got home. Apparently, who Saint Nicholson dates is a big deal.”
“It is a big deal!” she cried. “I’m going to kill Booth. I swear to God. He always hides the fun stuff from me!”
I snickered.
“About those donuts?” I repeated.
“I’ll have them ready by noon today. Do you want just standard ‘Happy Birthday Saint’ written in them?”
I nodded.
“Colors?” She twirled the rag into a long rope as she waited for me to answer.
“Um.” I hesitated. “Blue? Shades of blue?”
She nodded. “I can do that. What else?”
“I guess you could make it cop themed.” I tapped my upper lip. “That could be funny.”
Her wheels were spinning. “You know, I was thinking about carrying some cop themed ones permanently every morning. I think they’re really cute. And now with half the force coming in every morning, I thought it’d sell well. I can do cop themed.”
