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I chuckle, but it's half-hearted. “I know. It's crazy, right?”
She shoved her food away and scooted close enough to sit practically in my lap, throwing her arm around me when I got to the staircase part of the story. She's backed off a little now, our knees touching each other as we sit on the crushed velvet chaise in the living room.
“Crazy? Tryinsane!” Her voice rises in pitch, like she's gearing up for something.
“I know.” I roll my lips inward, deciding not to point out that insane is just a synonym for crazy. I fiddle with the hem of my shirt, a little hesitant on how to broach my question. “Don't you think it's weird that they told me they'll take care of it?”
She glances at me and lifts her shoulders slowly. “Nah, not really. I've told you how it is here. The Reapers are like vigilantes. Real Robin Hood types, ya know?”
My brows lift swiftly, imagining all of the St. James men in green tights and tunics. “Eat the rich?”
She snaps her fingers and nods. “Exactly. I don't know if they're quite as altruistic as the fable, but they do keep Rosewood pretty safe.”
“Hm,” I hum.
She whips her head to look at me. “Shit. I'm sorry. I should've worded that differently. It's not like they can prevent all crime, but they do more for the town than the sheriff's office. That's all I meant.”
“No, I know. It's fine,” I assure her.
“Jesus, Eve, how are you not, I don't know, a sobbing mess right now?”
Excellent question. I guess I sort of detached myself from it. I'm sure the trauma will resurface somewhere and probably soon. But I've always been amazing at compartmentalizing things, so maybe I can tap into that.
I shrug my shoulder, the fabric of my tee making a whooshing sound against the velvet chaise. “I don't know. This is like the fourth time I've talked about it.”
She nods a few times, and I swear I can see the gears of her mind turning. “Wait—how are you even here?” She sits up, placing her hand on my knee. “Shit. Do you need me to stay here with you tonight?”
Her offer warms my heart. Even though I shouldn't be surprised, considering she's always had my back since day one. But I've been looking out for myself for so long that having someone offer to help still takes me by surprise.
“Oh, no, you don't have to do that. I'm fine.” I wave a hand in the air, like I can scatter her concern.
She scans my face, no doubt looking for signs that I'm not being honest. “Are you sure? Because I don't mind. I'll have to wake up extra early since the bakery is on the other side of town from here. But I can sleep down here or something so I don't wake you. Or fuck it—I'll call in.”
A laugh tumbles out of me. “Please, the bakery would implode without you there. You're essential to Sugar and Spice.”
She sits up and centers her face in front of mine. “No, babe,you'reessential to me. And you're more important than a day of work. I could use a day off anyway.”
“Won't your boss mind?”
Cora shakes her head and leans back again. “She's gonna have to get used to it sooner rather than later.”
“So, she knows about your plans then?”
“Yep,” she says, hitting the p sound hard. “Not like you can keep much secret in this town.” She lifts her shoulders, her mouth curving down in the corners. “I told her I wasn't going to leave her hanging. We're a ways away from opening the doors on my place anyway.”
“Let me know if you need anything from me. I'm happy to help in whatever way I can.”
She cuts me a sly look, her frown turning into a smirk. “Like hand over your secret recipes?”
I shake my head with a smile, my hair falling free from behind my ear. “No way. I promised a certain little boy that I'd bake with him this summer. I can't give over my prized recipes.”
“Win a couple of blue ribbons and all the suddenit's my prized recipes,” she says, her tone playfully mocking.
I lift my brows and look down my nose at her, doing my best posh impression. “Well, they won, didn't they?”
I don't see the pillow until it bounces off my cheek. Something hard digs into my cheek—thankfully not my sore one, and I rear back in surprise.
“Ow.” My hand flies to the point of pain, covering the dull throbbing area instantly.
