Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“No, you’re not. But you will be,” she said, and she was so matter-of-fact about it that I immediately believed her as I walked over toward the dining room where she was pulling things out of the bags.
Traveler’s green habits meant everything was in glass containers wrapped in silicone sleeves so they didn’t knock together.
And she went ahead and put out plates in front of everyone except August, whose head was angled up like it wasn’t bothering him even though he’d just been bitching about being starving before she showed up.
“We’ve got French toast, eggs. Real eggs. Pasture raised from a local farm where they are treated like gold,” she explained, shooting August a look. “Also, breakfast potatoes, blueberry muffins, and toast. Yes, there are seeds in it. Because seeds are good for you. Oh, and this jam is from my backyard raspberries,” she said, producing a glass container. “Dig in,” she demanded as she started to distribute the coffees.
“You made all of this this morning?” I asked. “Did you even sleep?”
“Oh, I don’t sleep,” Traveler said, moving around, handing Nicky a coffee. “I just went with regular cream and milk for you since I don’t know what you like. And I mean… I sleep. Just not much. And it’s not easy for me. So I cook. Or make. Or fiddle with my garden.”
“Fuck, woman, this is the best French toast I’ve ever had,” Nino declared. “But if you ever tell my mother I said that, I’ll deny it,” he added.
I didn’t miss the longing look August sent the food at that.
“Your secret is safe with me. You can have some. If you apologize for being a dickhead,” Traveler said, looking at August. “And you have to start with this,” she said, grabbing a piece of toast and spreading some of the jam on it. “Come on. It’s not too hard. Five words. You can do it,” she said, moving toward him. “I’m sorry I’m a dickhead.”
At that, August’s chin angled up as he stared up at Traveler. “I’m sorry I’m a dickhead,” he said.
“Christ. Did you feel that?” Nino asked, rubbing his arms. “Think hell just froze the fuck over.”
“Good boy,” Traveler said, smirking as she lowered the bread toward August’s mouth.
“Is it just me or does this feel like public foreplay?” Nicky mumbled close to my ear as August’s lips parted and she put the bread in.
“They have a complicated relationship since meeting a couple weeks ago,” I explained. “And by complicated I mean he’s been an asshole and she refuses to put up with it.”
“It’s kind of a shame it ends here,” I added, half to myself as Traveler moved away and August kept filling up his plate, his gaze on her as she walked around the table, talking to everyone.
And when he took his first bite, his eyes went huge. As if sending it, Traveler turned her head and shot him a knowing smile.
“Eh, you never know. Life is weird,” Nicky said.
My gaze flicked around the table, taking in the group of handsome mafia brothers and the coffee shop owner who had become a hero in the story.
Yeah, I had to agree.
Life was weird.
And scary and unpredictable.
But that was what made it so great.
“I’m going back to Navesink Bank with Massimo,” I told Nicky.
“Yeah, I figured,” he agreed. “Sounds like a nice place to live. Think I might enjoy being by the beach.”
“So you’ll come with me?” I asked, voice a strange squeaking sound.
“Of course I’ll come with you. We’re family,” he added, shrugging. “So, did you really fall for the guy who killed your old boyfriend?” he asked, letting out a snorting laugh.
“You know what, yes, yes I did.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Massimo
It went pretty much as I said it would.
The cops were called. They took pictures and wrote up reports. The news covered it for one cycle.
And then it all just… disappeared.
“I think the lesson here is to live a life where people actually give a shit when you are shot in the head,” Traveler had said when reading over August’s shoulders on the second day after the kidnappings and shootings.
“Any word from your father?” I asked.
“Not really. He said there is a lot of violence going on right now. People scrambling to get their own little drug empires going now that Colin is gone. Told me to use the taser he gave me,” she said, snorting.
“I mean, that’s good advice,” August said, brows furrowing as he looked at her. “You’re right in the middle of a bad neighborhood.”
“Maybe it would be good advice,” Traveler said, bending down, then coming back with a gun in her hand. “If I didn’t have this.”
“Christ. Put that thing away,” August said when she wiggled it at him. “I thought you were too love and light for that shit.”
“Love and light?” she asked, letting out an airy laugh. “Protect the planet. Treat the animals right. Yes. But shoot the dick off a potential rapist? Yes, also. Love, light, and a heaping dollop of go fuck yourself. That’s who I am.”