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Griffin flinched at the question, his brows drooping. “What?”
Her cheeks burned as she realized that was a rude question. Why blurt it out as she had? What did it matter?
“Nothing.” She pushed his food closer to his side. “Here you go. That’ll be seven ninety-five.”
He handed her a ten, eyeing her with a critical stare. She hated it. The last thing she needed was the chief of police keeping an eye on her.
She broke the law!
She was living in town with a fake identity.
Her hands shook despite trying to keep her cool as she handed him the change. His fingers brushed hers, causing her eyes to dart to his. The touch had been brief but electrifying. Nothing like when she touched Bob’s hand. He didn’t appear to be affected by it, but his gaze was still intense. She’d never felt such a shock by a simple touch—from anyone.
“Thanks, Eve.” He tossed the change into his pocket, then grabbed his food. “Mindy isn’t my sister. I’m sure you’ll meet Bryce at some point. He’s the mayor of the town and my brother. We were supposed to have lunch today, but he cancelled on me. My parents moved to Arizona a few years back. A few aunts, uncles, and cousins sprinkled around town too. That’s my family in a nutshell. Do you have any siblings?”
So many oddthings about her, and he wanted to figure every part of her out. Part of it was the cop in him. Part of it was simple curiosity. He could never resist a puzzle. Which some would suggest always came back to the cop in him.
“Only child.”
The way she pressed her lips together, her eyes avoiding his gaze, he figured she lied to him.
Why?
Over such an innocent question.
“Well, if you ever wondered what growing up with siblings is like, you’ll get a great picture working for Juliet. She will be like your annoying older sister. In your business. Bossing you around. Nitpicking this and that.”
She winced at his description. Now that he thought about it, that wasn’t a pretty picture of his sister. He hadn’t meant it in a bad way. Only that once Juliet accepted you into her life, she was hard to get out of it. In a good way, of course. How did he explain that properly?
“She is the boss. Bossing me around is part of the package.”
“Right.” He shifted the plate of food to his other hand. “I didn’t mean to make her sound mean. She’s not. She’s wonderful to work for. I meant she’ll be there for you.”
“Thank you.”
She didn’t sound like she meant it, and he honestly couldn’t blame her.
“And you get me as an older brother. It’s like having a family you didn’t ask for.”
Her eyes rounded, her frown turning more severe.
Yes. He understood that as well. He was digging himself further and further into a hole he had no idea how he found himself in.
When she didn’t say anything, he lifted his plate. “Thanks for the food.”
She eyed him funny but nodded without saying anything.
He walked away before he said anything else stupid. The table near the window was open, so he snatched it. He liked to keep an eye on things outside while also having a nice view of everything in the cafe. He had a clear line of sight to the front door. And Eve as well.
The way she moved rigidly behind the counter told him she was on edge. Because of him? Because that was her normal behavior? He’d find out soon enough. Because he wouldn’t be able to help himself.
The food disappeared quickly, and he realized he didn’t purchase anything to drink. So back to the counter he went. Not a hardship at all because he was enjoying the view in front of him.
“Oh!” Eve sputtered when she turned around from the back counter to see him waiting patiently for her.
She’d been digging for napkins in the cupboard, and he had enjoyed the view of her ass in the air. Maybe a little too much. For a woman with too many secrets, he needed to keep his distance. Not to mention she lived in the cursed house. His luck, he’d get to know her, fall for her, and she’d skip town like every other resident before her who’d lived in that house.
“Can I help you with something else?” she asked when he stood there like an idiot saying nothing.
