Page 31 of Blame it on the Kiss
“That’s just it. She doesn’t follow through on stuff. She’s got a really short attention span.” He pressed his lips together. “Shouldn’t have said that either.”
But it’s on Payton’s list, Bryce thought. He had no idea what things Honor might have tried in the past, but he’d stake everything that this time it mattered.
“Thanks for lunch,” Coop said, easing out of the booth. “I’ll be in touch.” His phone buzzed again. He looked at it, let out an unhappy breath and texted something. “I hate this,” he muttered, pocketing his phone.
Bryce followed him outside. “Is there something I can do to help?” The offer flew out of his mouth before he could stop it.
“This was a good meeting, Mr. Bishop. But like I told you, my family, especially my sister, isn’t any of your concern.”
“I’m clear on that,” Bryce said. “I have a little time to kill and thought if I could helpyouout, I would.” Truth. After bonding the last hour with Cooper, he’d do anything to get on his good side and up his chances of getting him as a client.
“You know how to get a hundred and fifty pairs of roller skates by tomorrow?”
“Honor needs skates?”
They reached the sidewalk and stopped. Blue colored the sky, but scattered clouds played hide and seek with the sun. The cool breeze carried the scent of salty, fresh air.
“You know how they have Walk to School day? She came up with this idea to skate to work on Valentine’s Day. The mayor’s been trying to implement some healthy heart, wellness program without much success, I guess, so Honor thought it would be fun to”—he put his hands up and made air quotes—“‘Roll Into Work.’ All the city workplaces like the mayor’s office, fire and police station, library, local paper, are on board. Honor rented skates for them. Only they weren’t delivered today as promised. She’s freaking out and wanted me to help her figure something out.”
Bryce tried to picture Honor losing her patience and couldn’t see it. She’d be fired up, yeah, but she wouldn’t want anyone to notice this minor setback. That must be why she called her brother.
“I actually do know someone who could probably get her the skates.”
“Dude, seriously? That would be killer.” He shifted his weight and glanced at the sidewalk. “Would you mind going over to her office? I’ve got to be somewhere in five minutes.”
“Not a problem. She’s at City Hall?”
“Yeah.”
They shook hands, Cooper’s grip tighter than necessary. Bryce understood. Honor was off limits. He reminded himself of that over and over again as he headed down Main Street on foot. He’d been to City Hall once before during the film festival last summer and it wasn’t far.
He pushed through the double doors of the small building and stopped at the reception desk. The older woman grinned up at him. A badge on her shirt said Shirley. He smiled, remembering Honor’s mention of the woman.
“Hello,” Shirley said. “Can I help you?”
“How are you today, Shirley?”
“I’m well, thank you.”
“That’s a very nice blue streak. It goes with your blouse.”
Her smile widened, pink spread across her cheeks, and she patted the strip of blue in her short, straight brown hair. “Thank you. My granddaughter did it for me.”
“I’m here to see Honor Mitchell. Can you point me in the right direction?”
“She’s just down the hall there. Last office on the right.” Shirley motioned over her shoulder. “Can I ask what your business is with her?”
Bryce admired the sweet concern in Shirley’s voice, but he didn’t think Honor would want him sharing. “Is it required before I pass go?”
Shirley’s posture slouched. “No.”
“How about we call it a friendly matter then,” he leaned his elbows on the desk, “and keep it between you and me?”
She grinned. He winked.
Black and white pictures of White Strand dating back decades lined the hallway as he passed several offices until he reached a small corner room not much bigger than the closet he had played kissing games with Honor in. One small wooden chair with a pale yellow seat cushion and a tall but thin bookshelf took up what little empty space remained. A painting of sunflowers hung on the wall. The pen atop her desk had a plastic pink flower attached to the end of it.
He knocked on the open door.
