sound more British than Southern.
Lincoln laughs, his attention on her and her alone—so intense it almost feels like I’m an interloper. The two share something that is both undeniable and often fascinating. Lincoln Beckett went from having an extreme allergy to even the word girlfriend, to risking his future career and best friend to earn Raegan’s heart.
He leaves the fridge open and the bag of garbage on the floor, stalking over to Raegan and dropping his hands onto the counter of the bar on either side of her. “You’re perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”
“Except your parking,” I chime in. “You parked in my spot.”
Raegan shifts her gaze to me, her cheeks coloring like she’d forgotten I was here. “Sorry about that.”
Lincoln shakes his head. “I drove because she was talking to Poppy on the phone. Sorry, man.”
“Well, in that case, your title of perfection is reinstated. Commence making out while I make myself scarce.
“You don’t have to go. Hang out. Chat. Tell us how physical therapy is going,” Raegan says. “Paxton’s going to be here soon. We’re supposed to hang out, show him that my dating his best friend isn’t weird, and maybe throw in a few suggestions about his day drinking habits coming to an end.”
“But if he stops day drinking, who am I going to hang out with?” I ask.
“Maybe your new non-friend?” Her eyes gleam in the way a girl’s do when she wants to talk about your personal life.
I take one look at Lincoln, who’s barely trying to veil his hope that I’ll leave them to play grab-ass in the kitchen, and turn around. “It’s cool. I’ve got homework and class in the morning.”
I start toward the living room when my phone rings. ‘Rose’ my called ID indicates.
“Hey.”
“Hey, sorry to bother you, but Olivia thinks she might have left her phone in your car. Would you mind checking? We’ve torn apart the apartment looking for it.”
“Don’t tell me she’s the kind of girl who silences her phone so it won’t ring.”
“Oh, she is. She doesn’t even turn it to vibrate.”
“So, needle in a haystack situation. Doesn’t she have the tracker app?”
“That’s what I asked,” Rose says.
“That’s a no?”
“That’s a hell no.”
I flip on the outside lights. “I’m going to set you down for a minute so I can get out there. I’ll be right back.” I slide my phone into my pocket and head outside. The raindrops are now larger, rounder drops that fall like heat-seeking missiles, diving into the gaps of my clothes, hitting my bare neck and wrists, chilling my skin. I go to the passenger side of my SUV and wrench open the door, the residual heat from my drive providing a welcomed reprieve from the weather. I search around the seat, in the door, and then locate it hidden beneath the seat.
“The item has been secured,” I tell Rose. “But I’m not sure you should tell her yet. Maybe we make her sweat a little?”
Rose laughs. “He found it.”
“Fun stopper,” I say.
“Do you mind if she comes by to get it?” she asks as Paxton’s headlights turn into the driveway.
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll bring it by. I was hoping to see the cat, anyway.”
“Do it. We’re trying the name Garfield today because he doesn’t respond to Elton.”
“No, we aren’t!” Olivia calls from somewhere in the background.
I laugh. “I’ll be there shortly.”
I tuck both phones into my pocket before ducking out of the passenger seat and back into the rain as Paxton pulls up.
“Where are you going?” Pax asks, closing his car door before reaching into the back to grab a sack filled with takeout. “I got Dick’s.”
I shake my head, still unable to get used to the name of the popular hamburger joint that all native Seattleites love. They’re cheap and basic and delicious and are never without a line. “I’ll be back later. Lincoln and Rae Rae are here. I haven’t seen Caleb.”
“Class,” he says. “I’m just going to eat Dick’s, and then I’m going to go to Candace’s.”
“So many jokes. So little time.”
Paxton flashes an easy grin—one that is familiar and natural and doesn’t reflect the turmoil his family endured this fall. “Big, greasy Dick’s are the best.”
“I hope you use that line on Candace tonight.”
“I will.” He flashes another smile. “See you tomorrow, man.”
I pass him as I round my SUV to get to the driver’s door, stowing my crutches in the back. My thoughts dance around this afternoon again, of the confusion and