Page 98 of Secrets in the Deep
Emily glanced at the couple, who were currently kissing. Then she glanced behind them at a man who looked to be in his mid to late sixties, with graying hair but still very broad shoulders. “Is that David Collins, the town recluse?”
“How’d you know?”
“He looks…sad.”
“I think he just prefers his own company.”
No. He didn’t. She’d seen that same look in the mirror. He was lonely.
They headed down an aisle.
A guy smirked at Polly. “I see you’ve upgraded your company. Good job, moving up in the world.”
Polly rolled her eyes. “Funny how I don’t remember asking for your opinion, Gerome.”
They sat beside Maggie and Raven.
Emily smiled at the women before asking Polly, “Who was the guy?”
“Gerome Ward.” Polly rolled her eyes. “Son of Rodney Ward, our town sheriff. We’re pretty sure he set fire to the old firehouse when the guys first set up operations there.”
“Was he arrested?”
Maggie scoffed from the other side of Polly. “Ward doesn’t actually like to investigate things. He certainly wouldn’t investigate his own son, let alone arrest him.”
Jesus.
Raven leaned forward. “Excited to hear some small-town politics?”
“Actually, I am. I’ve never been to a town meeting before.”
“Well, you’re in for a treat. People like to get their knickers in a twist about everything from potholes to who got a permit approved too quickly.” Polly pulled a big bag of popcorn and four plastic cups from her bag.
Emily laughed. “You brought snacks?”
“Joel’s rubbing off on me.” She filled each cup and handed them out.
Emily had just taken hers when Ryan appeared at the front of the hall, the guys behind him. And holy crap, every time she saw him, her heart went wild.
One side of his mouth lifted when he found her in the crowd. And even that made her lower belly pulse.
He lifted his phone and typed something. A second later, a text came through on her cell.
Ryan: I wasn’t expecting to see you here.
Emily: I was expecting to see you here with Nora.
Ryan: She texted an hour ago saying she’d meet me here.
Emily: Well, if you’re both here, I want to be here. Don’t want to miss out on all the fun.
Ryan: They’re not that interesting.
Emily: I’ll be the judge of that.
She looked back up. This time his mouth curved into a full-fledged, sexy-as-hell grin.
Good riddance to her heart.
