Page 27 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

“Soooo…how was the risotto?” Eden croons as she kneels next to me. She insisted on helping me unpack the new releases at the Copper Cup today, to give herself a break from job applications.

I roll my eyes. “It was delicious, as always. Beau’s a great cook.”

“Judging by the noises coming from your room, he also has other talents.” She waggles her eyebrows.

I cringe. “Sorry. I tried to keep it down.”

“No worries. Just because I’m not getting any doesn’t mean you don’t deserve some action.”

“You could get some action if you wanted to.” Eden’s pretty and bubbly enough that she attracts attention wherever she goes. Unfortunately, bad timing and meddling brothers have kept her largely out of the dating scene.

“Let me fix my job situation first,” she says. “Then we can get to work on my love life. In the meantime, I’ve got noise-canceling headphones for when you and Beau make risotto next time.”

“Excuse me, is there anyone working here?” a familiar voice calls.

I whip my head around to see Cat and Pippa striding toward us. Shit—they couldn’t have heard me talking about Beau, could they?

“Hey, new pals,” Eden says brightly. “Did you come by because you missed me already?”

I could kiss her for acting so normal, covering for me panicking. I’m usually better at this, at pretending Beau and I have nothing to do with each other.

“That, and for some coffee,” Pippa says.

“We just did a volunteer shift at the homeless shelter, and we needed a caffeine pick-me-up.”

“Well, we’re happy to provide,” Eden declares. “Follow me, please.”

She drives right over to the café and gets behind the counter. Pippa raises a brow. “Does she work here now?”

“I’m doing unpaid labor out of boredom,” Eden explains. “I’ve been stuck sitting at my laptop, filling out a zillion job applications. I needed to do something with my body or I’d scream.”

“Can’t relate,” Pippa laughs. “Sitting lazily at my laptop is my favorite thing to do.”

“You’re looking at a farm girl,” Eden says. “If I spend too much time sitting still, I hear my mom’s voice in my head yelling at me to go out and feed the chickens. That’s part of why I’m doing event planning. It’s a good mix of putting together spreadsheets and setting tables.”

“Impressive,” Cat says, smiling. “I meet a lot of people in events working for the Walsh Foundation. I’ll keep an ear open for you.”

“I appreciate that! Now, what can I get you? I hope you want dripped coffee, because Brinley hasn’t taught me how to use the espresso maker.”

Cat and Pippa exchange glances and I laugh. “Scoot, Eden. I have cappuccinos to make.”

Eden joins my friends on the other side of the counter while I get working on their drinks. I’m glad that she’s gotten along with them so easily. Maura even quietly suggested adding her to the group chat.

“So, how’s the Peppermint investigation going?” Eden asks. “I want to know everything.”

Pippa rolls her eyes. “Don’t remind me. I’m tired of hearing about that.”

“The way the guys are acting, you’d think Peppermint was the Zodiac Killer and not just a blogger,” Cat says with uncharacteristic sarcasm. “They don’t talk about anything else. It’s become their whole personality.”

“They can’t find Peppermint quickly enough, as far as I’m concerned,” Pippa says.

My hand trembles as I reach for the milk pitcher. Shit. That isn’t good. I’d hoped that Luke and the guys would lose enthusiasm after a few days. Apparently not.

“Do you think they’re close to finding them?” Eden asks.

Pippa shakes her head. “Nope. They’ve still got a thousand guesses and no proof. Ryan mentioned they might loop in a PI, but honestly, I’ve started zoning out when he talks about it.”

Shit, shit, shit. My smile doesn’t waver, but my pulse sure as hell does.