Page 55 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

“Out in the front, dealing with the hoards of old ladies demanding tea and smutty novels.”

I groan. “I forgot the Shady Oaks residents were coming.”

“You sure did. Someone named Ms. Grimsworth is demanding the, and I quote, ‘dirty Bigfoot and Mothman book?’”

I push to my feet. “Why didn’t you get me earlier?”

“Because some old guy cornered Trevor to lecture him about World War II, and someone had to man the café register. I just now had a break to come get you.”

“Sorry, Eden. I’ve been off my game.”

“And I’ve been giving you space for way too long. Once Shady Oaks clears out, we’re talking about Italy, whether you like it or not.”

I nod. A heartfelt chat with Eden is the least of my worries at this point.

As it turns out, there are three different smutty books about Bigfoot and Mothman, and the Copper Cup doesn’t have the one Ms. Grimsworth wanted in stock. She spends a good ten minutes complaining until I swear up and down to have Big Enough for the Moth in stock by the time she comes by next week. At least she bought Sasquatch in Love to tide her over.

Once the door finally closes behind the Shady Oaks folks, Eden turns on me.

“Spill.”

“About what?”

“About whatever happened on your trip that makes you forget basic details about your own job and snap at anyone who looks at you the wrong way. Don’t tell me that nothing happened, because it’s obvious something did.”

I sigh. “The trip was mostly good. Eating, swimming, generally doing the Italy thing. We just…had a bit of a fight before we left.”

“A big fight or a little fight?”

“A big one. It’s not like we yelled at each other or anything. We’re just…at an impasse about something important.”

Eden raises her brows. “You don’t want to give me more details than that?”

“I’d rather not dwell on it, Eden. Please.”

“Fine. Don’t tell me, if you really don’t want to. But you came back worse, Brin. This trip was supposed to be your chance to make up for all the time you spend hiding. It was supposed to be good for you, but whatever happened over there, it didn’t fix anything. It made it harder.”

I don’t bother denying it. “You’re right. I’m still processing, but right now, I don’t know where Beau and I go from here.”

“Do you want to break up with him?”

“No!” I say quickly. “I don’t. But I don’t know if I’ll have a choice in the matter.”

Eden pulls me into a tight hug. “He’s an absolute idiot if he lets you go. Do you want me to go heat you up a chocolate chip cookie?”

I shake my head. “I’m not really hungry right now.”

“Well, do you mind if I have one? Because I’m starving.”

“Please. Take as many as you want.”

“You’re taking them out of my paycheck, right?” Eden says suspiciously.

“Of course,” I lie. Eden’s been helping out at the Copper Cup so much, I forced her to let me add her to my payroll. She argued stubbornly that letting her live with me rent-free was more than enough, but I pulled the I’ll-text-your-brothers card to force her to shut up and take my money.

As Eden heads over to the café counter, my phone buzzes. Kathy’s name flashes on the screen. I almost don’t look. I’ve been holding my breath around his texts since we landed, overanalyzing every word and piece of punctuation. But I know I can’t avoid the fallout forever.

Beau