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It had to be a prank. It was the only explanation for how a suit for a man who was well over six feet tall was somehow tailored to fit a scrawny high schooler.
I tapped my lip, then pointed at him. “Lose the jacket.”
He paused, the furrow between his brows deepening before he grumbled and struggled to get it off his large arms.
I held up one finger—“Hold, please”—and dropped to my knee to put a cuff in the already-too-short pants in the same way I had seen Charles do to his slacks.
I stood and beamed at him. “There.” I put my arms out in ata-da!gesture, hoping he would buy it. “You look...”
“I look like a tool.”
I swallowed back another laugh threatening to bubble out of me. “You look like a hipster.”
Duke frowned his signature scowl before giving me a terse nod. “Thank you.” He glanced at me as though he was just noticing my appearance. “You look nice,” he commented, dragging a hand through his hair.
“Thanks.”
“Meeting up with Lee?”
My mouth dropped open. “Uh, no. Just grabbing a late lunch.” I hurried to change the subject. “Where are you going in a suit?”
“I need to get to city hall before five o’clock. They’re technically not even open today, but Joss Keller was in his office and doing me a favor. I needed to make a good impression.”
I frowned, recognizing the name. “Joss Keller, isn’t he an attorney? Is everything okay?”
“That’s what I need to find out. Ever since Katie unearthed that speakeasy, someone’s been asking too many questions. I got wind that there was an inquiry about the mineral rights on Sullivan properties. It has the Kings’ stink all over it.”
I slowly shook my head. “Surely that wouldn’t be a prank. I can’t imagine even the Kings would go that far.”
He harrumphed. “I guess you don’t know the Kings as well as you think you do.”
“I guess not.” I looked over the oldest Sullivan. His eyes were tired, and the grumpy line that creased between his eyes looked deeper lately. “I can help, if you need it.” I tipped my chin toward my shop. “It’s been really slow. I have time to look through some paperwork if you need me to.”
Duke looked at me and softened. “Thanks, Annie. I’ll think about it.” He sighed, resigned. “I have to run. After city hall, I need to head up to Haven Pines and check in on Dad, but I look like a fucking idiot.”
I smiled. “Give Red a hug for me. Oh, hey, when you make it over to Haven Pines, if MJ’s working, can you please tell her that the Bluebirds are meeting Tuesday instead of Wednesday?”
He grumbled. Apparently, interacting with any of the Kings was low on his priority list—even if MJ was Red’s primary nurse and the sweetest one of the bunch.
“Yeah, will do.” Duke nodded and stomped away in the direction of city hall, his pants creeping higher on his legs with every step.
When I walked through the door to the Grudge Holder, soft music was playing on the jukebox. Sunday nights meant casual dinners for townies or a quick to-go order for parents who were dragging their children, tired and cranky, off the beach. I waved to the bartender, Cricket, and scanned the crowd for Charles.
My eyes landed on his pressed oxford shirt.
He was sitting on the east side, dangerously close to King territory. I eyed several open high-tops on the Sullivan side of the bar.
Safety.
He caught my eye and lifted a hand with a friendly grin. Though uneasy, I painted on a bright smile and walked toward him.
“I thought this spot had great table service. Is it all right?”
I looked again at the proximity to the Kings. “Sure.” I slid onto the high stool and my knee began to bounce. “Thanks for meeting with me.”
“Of course. It’s always nice to spend time with a beautiful woman.”
I still was not used to the way Charles freely doled out compliments.
