Page 141 of Shattered By the Currents

“His breakup with Emi was…painful.”

“It’s probably not her though,” Joel suggested.

“Probably not,” Zac added.

“If itwas, do you think they’d get back together?” Raven asked.

Connor looked at the door again. “I’m not sure.”

“I hope so.”

“You do?” He looked back at Raven.

“Yeah. I want Ryan to have everything we have.”

He smiled. “And what’s that?”

“Love. Forever. A happily ever after.”

Shit, he liked the sound of that.

He cupped her cheek and leaned forward. “All of it. I wantallof it.”

“You have it.” Then she kissed him, and he knew he’d fight every day to have her. Keep her. To protect their happily ever after.

33

Ryan Slade pushed out of Bloom and stormed across the patch of green.

He still couldn’t believe it. A movie. In this town. Where’d there been a steady stream of crimes and murders, all in less than a year.

What the hell was Ferris thinking?

Actually, Ryan knew what he was thinking. That while the town, whilehe, cashed in on the tourism and media attention, Ryan and his team would do the work that law enforcement was supposed to be doing. Thatthey’dkeep the town safe.

An elderly couple smiled at him as he passed the gazebo.

His phone vibrated, and he knew without looking that it was one of the guys. He pulled out his cell.

Connor: You okay?

No. He wasn’t. On so many levels.

Was it her? Was Emi replacing the lead actress? It was exactly the kind of role she usually went for.

His heart raced at the prospect of seeing her again. He’d hurt her. Ended their relationship without giving her any say in the matter.

She probably hated him.Hehated himself. And if she got this role, she’d be here, in this town, likely with that dipshit boyfriend he saw her with all over the media.

Ryan had never met the guy. But he was the lead actor in this movie.

He stormed up the steps of the town hall.

He was about to step in when another text came through, this time from his sister.

Nora: Hypothetically, how long is Chinese takeout good before it becomes a haven for bacteria?

He wasn’t in the mood for jokes, but for Nora, he’d always make himself available.