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I did my job and distracted her.
“I want ice cream,”June announces as we walk out of Three Sisters Kitchen after having the best dinner I’d had in a long time.
“A minute ago, you said you were full.”
“I am, but there’s always room for ice cream. Besides, if we walk over to Huckleberry Delight, we’ll get some of the food already in our stomachs to move down. It’s a whole strategy.”
“Your wish is my command.” I take her hand in mine, threading our fingers, and we walk at a leisurely pace down the street toward the ice cream shop. “People we know saw us tonight.”
“I know, but you know what? I don’t care. We’re having dinner with the others tomorrow night, and we’ll spill the tea to them. I’m not going to hide anymore, Apollo.”
“I think a few people were surprised.” I shift to my left a bit, silently moving her so that she goes around some glass on the sidewalk instead of walking over it. “It’s pretty well-known that we don’t like each other.”
“You know, I think it’s good to keep people on their toes.” June laughs a little. “Also, it’s none of their business. I know they think it is because we live in a small town and they’ve known us all our lives, but it really isn’t. I mean, my brother obviously figured it out, but it’s none of the rest of the town’s concern if they’re not connected to us in a more personal way.”
“No, it’s not.” Before we can walk into the shop, June’s phone rings.
“Speaking of my brother,” she mutters and answers, putting it on speaker. “Hey, what’s up?”
“We arrested Josh today, not long after I left the crime scene, actually.”
“What? How? All we have is hearsay, remember?”
“Yeah, well, he was pulled over for speeding, and he was completely shitfaced. So, he was arrested for DWI and underage intoxication, but we also found empty cans of red spray paint in his car. He was so fucking drunk that he laughed when we asked him about them. Then he admitted to the whole thingafterhis rights had been read to him, so it’s admissible. He won’t be bothering you anymore, sis.”
“Good.” June sighs in relief. “I’m glad that worked out, but I can’t help but feel bad for him.”
“He’s not your responsibility,” Cullen reminds her. “Have a good evening.”
“You, too. Love you, bye.”
“Love you, too.”
She hangs up, and the smile she gives me is stunning. “This calls fortwoscoops of ice cream.”
“I like the way you celebrate.” I laugh, pulling open the door to Huckleberry Delight for her. Montana, the owner, is wielding an ice cream scoop and manning the counter, which is surprising.
“Hi, you two,” she says, giving us a hesitant smile. “Are you hanging out togethervoluntarily? I didn’t think you got along.”
“Not everything stays the same,” June says with a shrug.
“Okay, then. You have excellent timing because the rush just ended, and it’s finally calm in here.”
“I’m glad you stay busy because I don’t know what I’d do if you ever went out of business,” June says as she peers down into the glass-top freezer holding at least a dozen tubs of fresh ice cream.
“Don’t even put that out into the universe,” Montana says with a cringe. “I plan to be here for a long, long time. So, what’ll it be? I have some of the signature fall flavors left. Apple pie à la mode has been popular this season.”
“I always get the same thing,” June says with a grin. “Two scoops of the huckleberry ice cream in a dish with hot fudge drizzle.”
“You got it.” Montana turns to me with a smile. “And for you, Apollo?”
“I’ll try that apple pie, please. Just one scoop in a waffle cone.”
Montana is quick with that ice cream scoop and is passing our treats to us in no time.
“Anything else?”
“Not for me,” June says, already digging in. “Oh, my god, Montana, you’re a damn genius.”
