Chapter 3
"So, I went through the stress of the MRI for nothing." I huffed out a breath.
Pen had been listening to me for the past twenty minutes while I told her about my trip to the hospital.
After we found the doctor, he said my MRI and blood work were fine. He attributed it to anxiety given everything I'd gone through not too long ago. I'd put it down to stress myself. Losing my brother the way I did kept me up at night.
"Carlisle took you to the hospital, right?" She narrowed her eyes. "What else did you do with him while you were there?"
My grin split my face. "He loves me," I admitted, feeling giddy.
Pen sat back with a frown on her pale face. "Was he drunk?"
Taken aback by her comment, I opened my mouth to say that I didn't know, but then I thought, “What the actual freak?!”
"Oh god!" Pen grabbed my hands before I could get to my feet. "I didn't mean it that way. You know what the Hallen's are like, and Carlisle is the worst at showing his feelings."
"I know that." I accepted her apology, though I was still hurt by what she said. "I cried when he told me."
“I’m seriously happy for you, Talla. You deserve some happiness."
"I still struggle, Pen. I can't get past my brother being involved in Monica's death. He hid it all these years."
“Tate didn’t kill her. It was my asshole of a soon-to-be ex-husband who did. Aiden is the bad guy in all this. Tate and Trevor stood by and did nothing."
"That is true," I thought. "Has Aiden contacted you again?"
Pen glanced outside toward the town square, and I had the feeling she was about to lie to me.
"Not since last time." And there was the lie.
"So," I said, growing annoyed, "have you put Jessop out of his misery yet?"
"Can we talk about something else?" Pen smiled, her eyes bright and alert. “What are we doing for your birthday?”
I inwardly winced because Carlisle had asked me not to make any plans for my birthday, as he had a surprise in store. Just the two of us. Something romantic, he said. I, of course, had agreed.
"I can see by the look on your face that you have plans with Carlisle. Don't worry about it." Pen stood, so I quickly stood too and grabbed her arm as she was moving past me.
"Pen, I wasn't keeping that a secret. It slipped my mind with everything going on at the hospital. I promise. How about lunch on my birthday instead? We have to do something together."
Out of the blue, Pen wrapped her arms around me and gave me a long hug. I hugged her back, worried that something was going on with her.
She pulled back. "I've got to get back to work. I promised I'd be on time for a change. We're good, right, Talla? Best friends forever, remember?" She kissed me on the cheek and ran out the door.
Lionel came and stood beside me. "Something is going on with Penelope, Tallulah."
I shot him a puzzled glance. "What do you mean?"
"Since all that came out about her husband. She smiles and acts as though she's okay. She snapped at Sheila in the clinic the other day."
That wasn't like Pen. Worry etched my brows into a frown.
Thinking about my friend made a sliver of unease run down my spine. I needed to talk to her alone.
"I'll check in with her, Lionel." I took the elderly man by the arm and led him to his table. “What can I get for you today?”
“Well, Miss Tallulah, I would like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of English tea to go with it.”
The bell jingled, and three men in suits walked in. I glanced at them and said to Lionel, "I can get that for you. Will Sheila be joining you?"
“I wouldn't mind fucking that ass!”
My back went ramrod straight.
"Miss Tallulah, are you okay?"
I shook my head, wondering where that thought came from. The thought had entered my mind in a male voice, too. "I'm fine, Lionel." I smiled. "And what's with the 'Miss'?"
He chuckled. "Sheila said I was a Southern gentleman and should act as such."
"Oh," I muttered, still distracted by the sudden voice in my head.
"Turn around, babe, and let me see the rest of you."
"I'm going crazy," I muttered.
"Join the club." Lionel patted my hand.
"I'll get your order." As I turned and dashed to the safety of the counter, I noticed one of the businessmen undressing me with his eyes.
“Nice tits.”
My eyes snapped wide open, then narrowed on the asshole. His gaze turned into a frown as I dashed into the back office, Bernie on my tail.
"What on earth has gotten into you? I thought the doctor said everything was fine."
"He did. I am fine. Just a weird kind of day." I took a deep breath and smiled. "I really am fine."
"If you say so."
I ignored Bernie. "I'll prepare Lionel's sandwich. Would you mind making his English tea?"
Bernie eyed me as I headed into the café and began making Lionel's sandwich. Once it was ready, I set it aside.
Out of the corner of my eye, I kept watch on the businessmen. I was almost certain that one of them was trying to get my attention. No more weirdness came my way. I wasn't even sure what had happened before.
"Would you mind taking these to the three detectives? I must pee," Bernie whispered before darting into the back.
I was desperate to peek at the men, but I behaved myself and collected the tray Bernie had indicated. A huge—albeit nervous—part of me wanted to be in their presence to figure out what was going on in my head.
Thank goodness my head stayed quiet as the three detectives watched me approach. I mean, it was nuts, right?
"Hi there. I'm Tallulah James, the owner of Coffee Bean. I haven't seen y'all in town before."
"We're working with your sheriff. I'm Detective Lane,” he pointed. “And these are Detectives, Riley and Hodges," he introduced.
"Sheriff Kendrick is a good man. It was nice to meet y'all."
Lionel's order was ready, so I took it over to him. I sat down opposite him, so he had some company. Bernie placed a sandwich and a glass of ice water in front of me. "Boss's orders," she said, winking.
"Your man is looking after you." Lionel's eyes sparkled with amusement. "It's about time he went after what he's wanted for a long time."
I narrowed my gaze. “How did you know that, but I didn't?"
"I notice a lot in my old age."
"You're not that old. I mean, you have a girlfriend."
He grinned. "Oh, I have no trouble getting it—"
"Don't finish that sentence," I interrupted, fearing what he was about to say. I most certainly did not want that image in my head.
“Oh, Tallulah, what I wouldn't give for you to be my daughter!”
"Did you say something?"
Lionel frowned and finished chewing his sandwich. "Like what?"
"It doesn't matter.” I frowned.
He leaned over the table. “Who are the stiffs?”
I chuckled and told him, "Cops. Working with Oliver."
"One of them is really interested in you." He raised his eyebrows.
My cheeks heated as I took a quick glance. Oh boy! Detective Riley stared at me from under his brows.
"Are you gossiping about us, Tallulah James?"
I felt all the color drain from my face.
What's happening to me?
"I need to go," I blurted. "Take care of yourself, Lionel."
As I bolted from the café, I heard someone ask, "Where is she going in such a rush?" In my head.
There was no need to tell Bernie where I was going as she watched me head to my apartment.
In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face.
Then, I dragged myself to bed and lay down.
My heart raced. Why did I pick up on what Detective Riley was thinking?
Because that's what happened. It had to be.
Was that why I'd been having weird, dizzy spells?
What I could hear wasn't just the normal background noise of the city, but also the thoughts of those around me. Well, Riley and Lionel. I really did not want to hear thoughts, especially Riley’s filthy ones.
"Ugh! What the hell was going on?" I sat up and swung my feet off the bed. I rubbed my temples and tried to clear my mind. I was going crazy.