Page 114 of Sour Notes

Well, I fucked her already—right beside you on the beach the other night. Came inside her too, but now she’ll barely speak to me. How’s that?

He’d be ready to kick my ass in a heartbeat, which, fair. I’m tempted to kick my own ass, and I don’t even know what I’ve done wrong.

If I don’t figure it out asap, it’s gonna be the longest week of my life.

Things were going well, too. So fucking well.

I’m not talking about the sex, although that was phenomenal. But the honesty, the laughter, the joking.

So much joking… I found the cheeky Post-it note she left me in the shower.

Eyes up, Lieutenant. Peepshows aren’t in the package. M x

I’d had my reply planned out, but somehow I don’t think my response⁠—

Invoice me, I’ll happily overpay. S x

—will land so well anymore.

“You good, bro?” Nick questions again, shifting in his seat to eye me curiously, obviously waiting for my response.

“Yeah, all good. Mia had a headache, so I came out to give her some space to rest. Didn’t want any work calls interrupting her.”

“Damn. Is she okay? Does she need anything? We can call for supplies.” He pulls out his phone, fingers poised.

Oh hell, I don’t want to spend too long on this line of questioning. I don’t need that getting around and blindsiding her, considering I have no fucking idea if she’s even still in our room. She could be on her way here right now for all I know.

“She’s good. She just needed to catch up on some sleep. Don’t worry. I’m heading back there now, anyway.”

He nods, his gaze drifting to the ocean.

“You sure you’re okay man? I know we don’t see each other as often since I moved to London but you’re still my best friend. You dating her doesn’t change that… well, unless you fuck her over, but we covered that. You know I got you if something’s going on right?”

Sucker punch me right in the gut, why don’t you.

Fuck, I hate lying to him.

Nick’s a good guy and he’s handled me dating his sister weirdly well. I thought I’d for sure be rocking a black eye or two.

But then again, no one wants the best man looking like he’s gone three rounds with Mike Tyson in their wedding photos, right?

“All good, dude. Just thinking about some work shit I need to deal with when I get back.”

“Ahhh how is old Sweet Haven PD? Have I missed anything cool?”

“Same as always. Nothing major to report. You heard about the bakery fire, right? We had to escort Leroy out of there when he tried to fix it up drunk. Axel would have ripped him a new asshole for going near his girl otherwise.”

Nick throws his head back with a laugh.

“I did hear about that. Mia was so happy Haven came home. Gotta say, I was relieved too. I felt like the world's biggest shit leaving her, especially after the bullshit with her dickhead ex. I hated not being there for her when that went to shit.” He runs a hand through his hair, looking at me with a sigh before continuing.

“It’s taking everything in me not to murder that guy. Layla didn’t want him here either, but her parents insisted we invite him, and I didn’t want Layla to have any more stress fighting with them. It’s been a lot, man. I deliberately didn’t give him an itinerary for our activities, but the fucker must’ve gotten one somewhere because he keeps appearing.” He hits his thigh in frustration, shaking his head.

Ahh, so he isn’t cool with Pete being here. I was starting to wonder since Nick’s been playing the game so well.

“That guy’s a tool. I don’t like him sniffing around Mia.” My hands white-knuckle the chair and Nick’s gaze drops to them.

“I’m glad she’s got you, man. I’m not gonna lie, it’s taking some getting used to watching you two sucking face, but I can tell she’s happy. She’s never been like that with anyone else, so relaxed and affectionate. Not for nothing, I trust you to keep her safe.”