Page 199 of No Headlines Please

My gaze dipped to her lips. Actually, that wasn't a bad idea.

Tessa laughed as she and Ryder continued down the road. Over her shoulder, she called out, "If you don't catch up soon, we'll send a search party."

Delaney tugged me toward the opening, and together, we stepped inside. Alone with Delaney, I gave the formation a quick once-over. The covered space was only a few paces deep. Still, if things ever went sideways, there were worse places to hole up.

With Delaney's hand in mine, I took a moment to look it over, appreciating the natural wonder of the place. But then, Delaney looked to me with a smile, and I only had eyes for her.

In a soft voice, she said, "You know…we could make out just a little."

I grinned. "Yeah?"

But we never had the chance, because just then, we heard loud voices outside – one male, one female. They were bickering.

Delaney let go of my hand as we turned toward the opening.

Nobody was there. Whoever it was, they'd apparently stopped just out of sight.

The guy was saying, "Oh come on, it's not like he drowned her himself."

"Not that you know of," the girl shot back. "And if you ask me, he's got a lot of nerve, showing his face in public while Sloane's still missing."

Fuck.

I was pretty sure I knew who they were – a couple we'd spotted earlier while leaving that taffy shop on Main Street. The guy hadn't given me a second glance, but the girl had stopped to glower in my direction.

Delaney hadn't noticed, and for her sake, I'd wanted to keep it that way. It was half the reason I'd agreed so quickly to the longer walk – anything to spare Delaney the drama.

But apparently, it had followed after us like a shadow.

The guy said with a scoff, "And you're not even sure it's him."

"Oh, it's him, alright," the girl insisted. "I'd recognize that asshole anywhere. And what's he doing with her?"

The guy paused. "Her?"

"You know. That chick he was with. Do you think she's just dumb? Or as heartless as he is?"

I stiffened. When I looked to Delaney, her face had gone pale.

Outside, the guy replied, "She didn't look dumb to me."

"Alright, so she's heartless." A note of smugness crept into her voice. "Me? I wouldn't date Maddox McGuiness for all the fudge on Main Street."

The guy laughed. "You are such a liar."

"I am not!"

"Right." His tone grew teasing. "That's why you couldn't stop staring at him."

"I was 'staring' because I hate him."

"Maybe. But you'd still do him if he asked."

"Do him?" she sputtered. "You're such an ass. I can't believe I'm dating you."

"Me neither," he laughed. "There's no accounting for taste, huh?"

"You know what?" Her voice sharpened. "I hope we do see them again, because I'll be telling that chick exactly what I think of her."