Bad Boy Blues - Jessica Lemmon Page 0,30

to ruin her evening.

“You know her guy,” Lou told May. “We all do. It’s Brady.”

“Hutchins? Oh, girl!” May elbowed Lisa. “Did you hear that? Her and the hot cop. Good for you, Elliott.” May tapped her glass against Elliott’s.

Lisa swept a lock of glossy brown hair behind her ear. Blue eyes wide with interest, she asked Elliott, “How long?”

“Are you inquiring about his package or the amount of time they’ve been seeing each other?” Lou asked with a raucous laugh.

“Both.” Lisa dissolved next to her.

“Mercy, I can tell they’re a glass ahead of us.” May’s bronze skin was practically aglow in the pink and purple sunset behind her. “So things are good?”

“I guess so. We’re seeing each other while I’m in town, which probably won’t be much longer.” Her parents’ visit had been a wake-up call. Elli needed to get her shit together. She couldn’t stay in limbo and pretend Vacationland was her life. She needed her own place. An office job—not where her dad worked. She needed to rebuild the life Neil had stolen from her.

“That sucks.” Lisa was suddenly serious. “I was hoping we could have girls’ night a few more times while you’re here.” She pouted at Lou, “I like her.”

Lou gave Elli a sad smile. “I like her, too.”

“I like you all,” Elli said honestly. “But like May said, Brady and I are new. It’s bound to go south.” Good things didn’t last, if they ever showed up. Elli was in the honeymoon phase of Evergreen Cove. “Besides, Chicago awaits. I have a business degree gathering dust. I need to find somewhere to live that isn’t my parents’ vacation house where they can come over whenever they like.”

“Oof. Say no more.” Lisa held up a hand in solidarity.

It was probably past time to end things with Brady. They’d had a good run, one that seemed to be getting better and better. But why wait for the demise of the relationship when she could end it on a high note? It was time to stop pretending he was a permanent fixture.

“I haven’t had a girls’ night in forever, and I don’t want to waste it.” Elli was here to have fun, not sing her own swan song. She drained her second glass of wine and offered her empty glass to Lou. “Fill ’er up.”

“That’s my girl,” Lou said approvingly before topping off the glass.

By the time Brady picked up Lila and drove to Elliott’s house, it was well past midnight. He knocked on her front door. No answer. Then he heard the hoots of laughter coming from the direction of Lou’s house. Sounded like girls’ night had gone longer than Elli had anticipated. That made him smile.

He led his dog through the side yard, happy for Elliott. She’d been in a bad situation and had made friends in the short time she’d been here. He counted himself on that list. Their friendship came with perks he would miss when she was gone.

He had plenty to do in her absence, though, he argued to himself. His grandfather was a handful. He had Lila to look after. Plus, he’d been considering pursuing a detective position at work. That left little time for the “wife and kids” Elliott had once asked him about. If he wanted career advancement beyond being a beat cop, he had to have his head in the game.

“The countertop!” He heard as he rounded the backyard. He craned his head to the upper deck and spotted Lou’s friends, May and Lisa. Lou was out of sight, but he heard her comment that kitchen sex was difficult.

What came next made his night.

“Not with Brady,” Elli said. The girls applauded before offering their congratulations, and he pulled his shoulders back with pride.

Lila, enthusiastic about the excitement above her, broke through the girls’ laughter with a sharp bark. Elliott’s face peeked over the railing a second later.

“Sorry to interrupt!” He waved.

“You are not,” May accused with a headshake.

“Hi, May. Lisa.” He grinned cockily. Hard not to be cocky when he was the subject of Elli’s praise. “You’re right. I’m not. I can listen in some more if Elliott would like to continue bragging about me.”

Lou’s head appeared next. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Love you, too, Lou.”

“I was about to leave anyway.” Elli’s smile was mischievous, if a little wonky. She’d probably enjoyed her fair share of wine tonight. He was glad she’d allowed herself to unwind. “Be right down.”

Hand on the railing, Elli trotted down the steps as May,