Page 100 of Sterling Stone

I can’t help myself, but I silently stew over the man who broke Stone’s heart. No, shattered it, taking with him a life-long friendship. One that Stone misses. I heard it in his voice when he explained what happened when they were younger. When his entire world imploded again.

How many times has Stone’s life been rocked only for him to remain sturdy?

“Stone and I co-existed. But having Cortland, my fiancé . . .” Vale’s face brightens with the term. “It gets tricky with Hudson around.” She wiggles her brows. “We find creative spaces and ways to come together.”

“Speaking of creative spaces,” Genie hums, lifting her glass of wine, and narrowing her dark eyes on me. Her smile makes them dance. “You were missing for a while this past Sunday.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie, as my cheeks flame.

“Funny,” Enya adds, leaning on the table. “Stone was missing for a time as well.”

“Was he?” I lift my drink, something off the special’s menu, and take a sip of the sharp sweetness.

“Maybe we should ask him what you two were up to,” Vale teases. “Oh, look, there he is.”

“Where?” I ask, raising my head and giving myself away.

“Right there,” Vale points to a high top across the bar.

Stone, in his uniform, is seated across from the beautiful blonde I remember seeing him with once upon a morning back in Tennessee. The same person he hadn’t told me he was meeting for dinner. He’d only said he had a work-related meeting this evening.

“You should go say hi,” Genie encourages, like we’re schoolgirls and I should cross the cafeteria and talk to the hot guy on the other side.

“He looks busy,” I say, pulling my gaze away and glaring at Genie. I like her. She’s a woman I want in my corner, but I will not be afraid to tell her to knock it off. I don’t need to go to Stone, he can⁠—

“Looks like he’s coming over instead.” Vale’s comment draws my attention back to the man in uniform who is now crossing the vacant space in the middle of the bar.

“Ladies.” His low voice is smooth while equally rugged.

I do not know what it is about that sound that puts me at ease while turning me on.

“Hey.”

“Hi, Stone.”

“Big brother.”

I snort at the last one from Vale.

“Mind if I borrow Taxi for a moment. I’d like to introduce her to Emerson.”

My cheeks heat again. I could argue it isn’t necessary to meet Emerson. We haven’t needed to discuss her again. Stone told me that only Bailey was his one-time love, and Emerson is a friend. Plus, he did say dinner was work-related. I know he’s the sheriff, she’s the mayor, so logically, their meeting makes sense, but still . . .

When he holds out his hand, I take it, despite nerves rattling my bones like a Halloween skeleton. This shouldn’t feel so monumental. She’s just a woman. But she’s also been important to Stone.

He helps me stand, but I instantly drop his hand despite the comfort of his palm. His hand goes to my lower back, instead, like he’s announcing to the room I’m with him.

When we reach the high-top table, Stone introduces us.

“Emerson Milton, this is Taxi.” Something strange rings in Stone’s voice. The sound a little like pride, a lot like excitement. Like he’s been eager to introduce me to her. “Tallulah Alexander, meet Emerson, mayor of Sterling Falls.”

When she shakes my hand, her fingers are long and delicate, but her grip is strong and confident. “Such a pleasure to meet you. Stone has told me so much about you.”

Glancing at him, I arch a brow.

“Because of Trudy,” I clarify.

“No.” Emerson laughs nervously. “Um . . . I believe it started when you met last year in Tennessee.” Emerson looks at Stone for confirmation before her brows crease like she might have gotten something wrong.