Page 126 of Peaks and Promises

“Me too,” Luke agreed. “How long do you think it’ll take him to figure it out?”

Theo narrowed his eyes at me. “I bet he doesn’t leave town.”

“You think?” Luke rubbed his chin again. “I’ll take that bet.”

“Twenty bucks?” Theo asked.

“Yeah. I kind of think you’re right, but I’ll bet against him anyway. Someone has to.”

“Wait, what are you betting on, exactly?” I asked.

Theo rolled his eyes, like I’d asked a stupid question. “When you’re going to figure out that you’re in love with Summer.”

“He’s saying you’ll figure it out soon and you won’t leave town again.” Luke jerked his thumb at Theo. “And I’m saying you will leave. Although I still think you’ll figure it out and come home. Pro tip: Don’t do my version. She might not take you back.”

“You should listen to him,” Theo said. “I think he’s right.”

Luke elbowed him. “Don’t try to influence the bet.”

“Sorry.”

“You made the bet right in front of me,” I said.

Luke ignored me and picked up his phone. “I should see if the others want in.”

I shook my head. Sometimes my brothers were such idiots.

But so was I, so who was I to talk?

We finished our lunches, and I ignored the buzzing of my phone as my brothers discussed their bet in the group chat. Whether or not they kept each other to it, and money exchanged hands, I knew it was basically a joke—we’d bet on things all the time growing up, back when the prize had usually been a candy bar instead of cash.

After paying the bill, we got up and left. On the way to my SUV, I checked my phone to make sure none of the messages were from Summer, but it was just my brothers placing their bets. I replied to remind them they were doing it right in front of me, although I knew they didn’t care.

As I got in and turned on the engine, my phone buzzed again. This time it was a call, and since it was Summer, I answered.

“Hey,” I said. “Did you find a dress?”

“I just saw him.”

Like the flip of a switch, I was instantly in security mode. Without hesitating, I pulled onto the road. “Where?”

“Outside the boutique. About two blocks down and across the street. There’s people all over walking around. He disappeared behind them, and I don’t see where he went. But I swear it was him. He’s here.”

“Don’t panic,” I said. “Where are you now?”

“In my car. What do I do?”

“Drive to the sheriff’s office in case he’s watching you. I’ll meet you there.”

“What about Nate?”

“I’ll call my sister and tell her to lock the doors and stay inside. We’ll get him together.”

“How did he find us?” Her voice was tinged with fear.

“I don’t know, and it doesn’t really matter. We’ll handle this one step at a time. Go straight to the sheriff’s office and don’t worry if you’re followed. The asshole won’t want to tangle with law enforcement.”

“I’m heading there now.”