“Shit, Bowen! I’m serious!”
“Yeah… uh, we’re not warring nations or anything.”
She set her coffee down and flopped onto the couch. “Here’s the thing about bullies. No matter how old they are, at the end of the day, they’re still that jerk who kicks sand in your eyes on the playground and then cries for the attention.”
“I don’t follow.”
“A bully needs an audience. This principal and that bar-owner guy? They’re going to be desperate for someone to know. They need the gratification of a job well done and the knowledge that someone agrees with their opinion.”
I tugged off my winter garments and walked toward her. “I guess that makes sense. Itisno secret in town that Bucker and Felix have been at odds for a while.”
“See?”
“But how are we going to get them to admit to setting the fire and planting fake stories about me? Even more so, we need a third party to be witness to it.”
“Ah-ha!” She held up her phone. “I’m going to record the conversation.”
“I… think that’s illegal.”
“I read up on the laws.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“As long as I get them to agree to being recorded, we’re gold.”
I held up both hands. “Girl, are you crazy? How in your right mind do you plan to get these two guys toagreeto being recorded?”
She stood back up. “It’s going to involve us both going undercover.”
“I think we both stand out a little.”
“You’re going to have to take one for the team.”
“And you?”
“I’m going to play up the flirty shit and hope it doesn’t make me vomit in my mouth.”
“This is going to be awful.”
“Maybe.” She patted my shoulder. “Can I use your shower? I’m fuckin’ rank.”
Chapter Fifteen
10 Days Until Christmas
AFTER SCARLETand I both showered, got a bit more shut-eye, ate, and confirmed Felix was home by the afternoon, after having spent all day dealing with his insurance company, I drove us to the Hansen house.
Felix opened the front door and stepped aside, allowing us both in.
“Hey,” I said, taking off my hat and kissing him.
“Welcome home,” he answered.
Him saying that sent warm fuzzy things to my stomach, where they fluttered around and made me feel sick with love.
“Felix, this is Scarlet Robinson,” I said as he shut the door.
He looked at her. I watched Felix clench his right hand tight, loosen it, then hesitantly offer it to shake. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
