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“That’s a plausible explanation, or you could ask someone who knows her for help.”
It’s not like I haven’t thought about it before. If anyone in town could help me peel away the layers around Marissa’s heart, it would be Peyton, but somehow, that seems like I’d be admitting defeat. I want her to want to be with me, to want to take the time to get to know me better. And at this point, it seems everyone in town knows my sad story.
“Who said I needed help?” I raise my eyebrow in question.
“Anyone with a set of eyes.” She shakes her head. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Marissa is avoiding you.”
“No, I had no idea,” I respond sarcastically, causing her to giggle softly.
“Look, no need for the attitude. Lucky for you, I’m in a good mood.” Peyton’s eyes lock with mine as she motions for me to lean closer.
I lean forward, more than intrigued by the secrets she is prepared to share with me.
“You didn’t hear it from me, but Marissa worked an overnight shift at the station last night and should be off around noon. She has no plans for the rest of the day besides having lunch with me.” Peyton pretends to cough loudly, ensuring a few heads turn in the bakery. “But I think I’m sick and will need to cancel.”
“Oh, you poor thing,” I respond in mock horror, a plan forming in my head. “I think I need to grab a few more coffees for the road.”
“You got it, my friend.” Peyton winks in my direction before grabbing a few cups off the counter and filling them with coffee and all the fixings. “I’m putting Colt and Dolores’s names on their cups to make it easier for you, or you’d have two very pissed-off coffee drinkers.”
“I owe you one.”
“Yea, you do.” She smiles up at me before getting back to work.
I’ve been trying to run into Marissa the old-fashioned way but never once thought of going to the station. Knowing she has no other plans for the day, thanks to a certain someone, it’ll be that much harder for her to come up with an excuse as to why we can’t at least have lunch.
“Good luck,” Peyton says with a smile as she slides the cup carrier across the counter. “Remember, this conversation never happened. Seriously, never happened.”
“My lips are sealed.” I chuckle, making a show of locking my lips and throwing the key over my shoulder as I check my watch. “I think I might head over there now and see if maybe I can spring her early.”
“It’s a very strong possibility you could swing it. Nothing ever happens here in Magnolia. She’s probably just sitting there, twiddling her thumbs and watching the seconds tick by on the clock.”
“And you say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
“For the people who love and care about her, not in the slightest.” Peyton flashes me a smile before she uses her hands to shoo me toward the door. “Now get out and go make our girl fall madly in love with you.”
I give her a mock salute before turning on my heel and strolling out the door. I turn right and head down Main Street toward the station, choosing to walk the few blocks instead of hopping in my Pops’s truck. I send up a silent prayer of thanks for having the forethought to borrow the truck instead of riding my motorcycle, allowing me to eliminate one more excuse Marissa could have for not going to lunch with me. I need to make sure I stack as many cards in my favor as possible before asking her out, although I’m not above fighting dirty.
“Hey, Finn,” Dolores greets me as I walk in the door.
I flash her a smile as I set the cup of coffee with her name on it on the counter. “For you.”
“Okay, what do you want, Mister?”
Dolores has lived here most of her life, but I don’t know much about her. She keeps to herself mostly and is nice to everyone she meets—the perfect person to work the front desk at the sheriff’s department.
“Why do I have to want something? Can’t I bring a pretty lady a cup of coffee without ulterior motives?”
“You can if said pretty lady doesn’t already know you only have eyes for one woman, who just so happens to be in her office.”
“And who told you that?”
“I have eyes, Finn.” Delores pulls the cup off the counter and takes a healthy pull. Her eyes drop closed as she savors the flavor before pinning me in place with her stare. “Or it could be the fact Marissa has been drinking a lot more office coffee than usual.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I respond, reaching back and rubbing the back of my neck.
Here I thought I was playing it cool, but it seems my feelings for Marissa are written across my face. No problem. This gives me one more person in my corner to help convince Marissa to give me a chance.
Dolores shakes her head. “Have it your way. I’m going to ask again. What do you want?”
