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Finn swiftly led the way downstairs and drove to Sweet Treats.
The sky was a dark purple shade that meant dawn was on its way, but night was clinging stubbornly. Birds twittered from towering coconut trees. A few vehicles drove down the highway.
Nolan cleared his throat from the passenger seat. “I wanted to say this last night, but there wasn’t a good time.”
“What is it?”
Dark eyes strained, Nolan stared at his lap. “I’m sorry you faced Kross alone yesterday. If I was a little earlier, I could have stopped him.”
“That’s not your fault.”
“I feel responsible. You were so close to ending everything and you needed my help.” Nolan sucked in a deep breath and croaked, “Courtney meant a lot to me. I want that murderer behind bars more than anything.”
“I know, buddy.”
Finn saw Sweet Treats up ahead and pulled the car over. Jo’s vehicle was already there. How early had the ladies woken up?
“This place is cute,” Nolan murmured, running his gaze over the pink and orange sign above the large windows. He sniffed, large nostrils flaring. “Something smells good.”
“Let’s go.” Finn strode through an alley to the building’s side entrance. He’d seen Jo, Sky and Jewel entering from there on past occasions.
He rapped his knuckles on the metal.
A face appeared.
Jewel.
He heard keys crinkling and, with a moaning creak, the door swung open. Jewel stood bracketed in the shadows.
Nervously, Finn lifted a hand and waved. “Hey.”
Hey, is that all you could think of?
“Hi.” Jewel stepped out.
The street lamp nearby cast a silver sheen on her face. She looked stunning, as usual, but there was a coldness in her eyes and a tightness in her expression that he’d never seen before.
Nolan glanced between them with an awkward smile. “Ah, hey. I’m Nolan.” He stuck his hand out for Jewel to shake.
She eyed it and leaned back.
Nolan’s smile went flat and he slowly dropped his arm. “It’s nice to meet you, Jewel. I’ve heard a lot of great things.”
Jewel ducked her head.
Finn blinked and mounted a step so he could be closer to her. “Hey, what’s up? Are you okay?”
“It’s nothing.” She swerved away from him.
Nolan cleared his throat. “Are you open for business? I’m hungry and whatever you’re making smells incredible.”
Jewel shrugged.
A moment later, Joana appeared in the hallway. She wore a blue bandana around her long, brown curls. Her smile was so wide that her eyes collapsed into slits. “Finn! You’re here!”
Nolan’s jaw dropped and his tongue lolled out. “Who’s that?”
“That,” Finn closed his friend’s mouth and whispered, “has a boyfriend.”
