Page 91 of Rogue Wave

One perk of working with the feds was that his handler was able to feed him information about Cora and Hazel, so he knew when they graduated from college, where they worked, and any other major updates in their lives.

Cora had brought her fiancé, Jay, here to introduce him to Carson and allow the sisters to get to know him again.

Both women were inside Hazel’s house right now having “girl time.”

“It involves face masks and feelings, so leave the two of us be,” Hazel had informed us, so Jay and I were chilling on Dougie’s front porch, drinking beer.

Most of our conversations had been about sports. Jay was a former minor league baseball player, and Dougie was a huge NHL fan, so that was how we began our night. But eventually the conversation had shifted to everything that had gone down with Carson because Jay had wanted more details.

“I’m asking as the man in Cora’s life, so I need to know the background on her dad,” Jay asked.

I understood that because I felt the same about Hazel, so Dougie and I had given him everything we could that wasn’t confidential.

“You telling me this info as a sheriff or someone more personal?” Jay asked.

I knew he was asking about my relationship with Hazel. He had known her since high school and viewed her as a younger sister. I was happy she had that, especially knowing that she’d had it rough growing up, so I didn’t mind giving him my honesty.

“I’m telling you that as the sheriff and as the man who’s going to marry your future sister-in-law when I get the chance.”

“I call dibs on nominating myself as your best man,” Dougie added from beside me, and I chuckled.

“There’s nobody else,” I responded.

He coughed out a short laugh. “Wow. I’ll try not to be offended.”

“I meant there is no one else I’d rather ask, you dumbass.”

“Well, when you say it like that, I accept, then,” he replied and then smiled as he took another swig of his beer. “I mostly just want to plan your bachelor party so I can give us an excuse to go on a fishing trip.”

I smiled back at him. “You sure that’s the only reason, or is it because you’re hoping it will score you points with a certain best friend of Hazel’s?”

It was meant just to tease him, but his demeanor changed and I saw his cheeks turn pink.

Yeah, he still had it bad for Vivi. Wasn’t sure why he hadn’t moved forward with that yet, but it also wasn’t my business.

Jay’s phone buzzed, and he choked out a quick laugh.

“Time for me to head out, gentlemen. Apparently, my future wife needs help changing into her pajamas.”

He had a wide grin on his face as he stood and said his goodbyes.

My phone buzzed just as Jay was walking off the porch.

Hazel:

Come get me and carry me home, handsome!

Home.

She’d said that word a few times lately, referring to my place, and I wasn’t sure if she realized she’d done it or not.

Jay and Cora were staying at Hazel’s place, but she had spent last night with me and planned to do the same again tonight.

I’d asked her to move in with me, but she insisted that we keep our separate places just in case something happened.

I knew she was just nervous about the commitment, but I wasn’t. I had been through this before and knew what didn’t work. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and there was no changing that.

“Apparently, it’s time to go get my woman, too,” I told them as I stood and stretched my legs.