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I crossed my arms. “Well, maybe tell your shit-stirring brother to back off.”
Whip scoffed and opened the can of soda. It fizzed and bubbled at the top so quickly he had to suck down the bubbles. He shot me a knowing glare.
After the carbonation subsided, he shook his head. “Why don’t you just piss on her and claim your territory already?”
I rolled my eyes and popped off the counter I was leaning against. “Shut the fuck up,Bill.”
“Annie Crane is a beautiful woman. It’s a shame she sided with the wrong family. Had I been at the gala, I may have made a bid on her myself.”
“Tell me. Are you trying to be a dick or does it just come natural for a King?”
“That’s enough.” Chief Martin’s booming voice caught me off guard, and I stood at attention. “I told you boys to leave that shit at the door. There’s no place for it at the station.”
In unison, Whip and I sounded like a couple of kids being scolded by their father. “Sorry, Chief.”
“Sullivan.” He turned to me.
“Yes, sir?”
“Someone put five empty jars of peanut butter in the trash cans outside without a bag, and raccoons got into it. Clean it up.”
I tamped down the childlike giggle that threatened to rise. “Yes, sir.” With a smile, I headed straight for the back door, popping Whip on the back of the head as I passed.
* * *
“Aren’t tulips morelike aMaything?” Beside me, Annie stood at the edge of the farmland leading to the Outtatowner Tulip Festival, which served as Matchmakers' Gala date number one. Nerves radiated off my best friend as we watched tourists and townies filter into the crowded Dutch-themed festival.
A few miles from town square, a local farm had been transformed into a colorful Dutch wonderland, with wooden windmills and vibrant tulips of every shade. Even the canoes on the river looked like a makeshift canal running along the edge of the property. It was like stepping into a postcard.
I fiddled with the small key chain in my pocket. It was a little pink pigeon with wonky eyes and a stupid fucking grin. I’d found it online, and it came in a set of eight other weirdly cute animals. He was hideous and he was perfect.
Sometime today I’d planned to slip it into Annie’s bag without her knowing.
Beside me, Annie sighed, taking in the enchanting scene laid out in front of us. “Leave it to Outtatowner to make the impossible possible.”
My thoughts immediately went to my best friend, and the opportunity to change everything was standing right next to me.
Damn right we make the impossible possible.
“Hoi!”Aunt Tootie waved enthusiastically as she hurried toward us. She was dressed in a deep purple skirt, striped apron and jacket, a shawl, and a high, pointed bonnet.
“Tootie, you look amazing!” Annie wrapped my aunt in a hug.
Tootie held her at arm’s length. “As do you, my dear.Hoimeans hi in Dutch! Are you two lovebirds ready for this?”
Annie was about to correct my aunt when I slung my arm over her shoulders and pulled her into me. “Yep. All set.”
“Wonderful!” Tootie was downright giddy. “Here are your stickers.” She dug into the small basket on her arm, scribbled our names on two sticky name tags, and placed them on our shirts. “Have fun, you two!”
With a wink and a wave, tornado Tootie was gone, and Annie was staring at her back.
Annie took a tiny step in retreat. “I don’t know about this, Lee.”
With my arm still banded around her, I gave her a squeeze. “We’re going to win you that money, raise a fuck ton for an important charity, and have a damn good time.”
Also, you know, make you fall desperately in love with me. No big deal.
“But,” I continued. “If they’re going to buy it, we have to sell it.”
