Chapter Five
Later that evening, Elle parked at Martelli’s Pizza Bar and Grille to meet Sophia and a few of their friends for dinner. She was ready to celebrate a day that had gone surprisingly well despite her misgivings that morning.
After being paired with Officer Mercer again, she’d been prepared to suffer it out, but then a miracle happened.
He’d actually allowed her to accompany him inside the two shops that had recently been robbed and a few more businesses in the vicinity.
Watching him work, she’d been enthralled by his efficient, sharp, yet respectful manner as he interviewed people.
So much so, that she kept quiet and took notes all afternoon.
The miracles continued to happen, because when they’d returned to his car, their conversation turned somewhat personal, and the man asked her if she wanted to be friends.
Luckily, a speeder had appeared out of nowhere, saving her from having to answer.
And since Officer Mercer wasn’t going to chase the driver with her in the car, she’d gotten out and was relieved when he didn’t argue with her suggestion to pursue without her.
She knew it was killing him not to do his job.
To be fair, her actions weren’t completely selfless. They were selfish. Elle hadn’t been in the right frame of mind to answer his “friendship” question. His nearness and the fact he’d shifted closer had her body tingling and her mind fleeing.
Stupid as it was, Elle had been scared.
Her reaction to Jeremy was stronger than her reaction to any man in her life, even her childhood sweetheart, Callum, and she’d married him.
Of course, she’d also divorced him after her mother had died. Her death had driven home two facts.
One—everyone Elle had ever loved had died.
And two—she was a jinx. A death dealer.
Her mother was seven months pregnant when Elle’s Navy SEAL father had been killed in action. Elle had been seven when her brother died, and twenty-one when her mother passed. She didn’t need to be a math wizard to see the numbers on the wall.
Her lifespan was winding down. The fourteenth anniversary of her mother’s death was in four years, and if the pattern held true, it meant four more years until she joined her family.
Deep down, Elle knew this thinking was irrational and crazy, but she wasn’t about to take a chance with people’s lives or with their hearts.
Her ex-husband had tried to reason with her, but when he’d decided to join the Navy with the intent of becoming a SEAL like her father, she couldn’t let him join while married to her. Couldn’t let him join with one foot in the grave.
God, she’d felt so guilty over it. Still did, but he hadn’t put up much fight, and looking back on it now, he’d actually let her go with shocking ease, and she felt relief instead of pain.
Perhaps they weren’t the right match anyway.
But the fact that he was still a SEAL and still alive proved she’d made the right decision for them both.
A relationship with her could be deadly. Either she would die, or her partner would, and on the off chance she was right, Elle preferred to not put herself or anyone else through unnecessary pain. She’d guarded her heart ever since.
Except in her novels. She lived vicariously through her characters, creating the happily-ever-afters she could never risk.
Friendship with Jeremy?
Not a good idea.
As it was, Elle was taking a chance developing friendships with Sophia and several other people in town. The last thing she needed was to add Jeremy to that list.
Given their chemistry, though, that friendship could lead to more, a lot more, and that could be dangerous.
Still, for a split second in his car, Elle had been tempted.
So tempted. More than once today, she’d wondered if she could act on their chemistry but keep her heart out of it.
After all, she’d been successful in the past. Of course, the two times she’d twisted sheets since her divorce had been with men who only wanted a good time with no strings.
Even though Jeremy didn’t come off as the relationship kind of guy, Elle felt he was too responsible to have a bunch of flings.
But if she was wrong, then maybe…
Shaking her head and her idiotic thoughts with it, Elle glanced at her reflection in her rearview mirror, just as she had at the start of her day.
“Quit wasting your time on foolishness,” she told herself before getting out of her car and walking around the front of the brick building to the entrance, covered by a green fabric awning.
As she entered, her stomach growled at the delicious aroma of marinara, garlic, and melted cheese filling the air, reminding her she hadn’t eaten lunch today.
After leaving Jeremy, she’d gone to the cabin and actually written a few snippets of scenes, and some dialogue, which had been much more important than food.
But now, she could reward herself.
She glanced around the large dining room with a myriad of tables covered in red-checkered tablecloths, a large bar along the back wall, and a pick-up counter up front.
A clock in the shape of Italy hung on the wall across from the bar where several men she recognized, and several she didn’t, sat having a beer, with Nico bartending.
His family owned the place, and he worked there around his time spent in the guard and firefighting.
His sister, Evie, managed the place and was one of the friends Elle was supposed to meet for dinner, but judging by the fact she was manning the cash register and wore a red T-shirt with the restaurant’s logo on it, she had to assume they were going to be a woman short tonight.
“Hi, Elle,” Evie greeted with a smile from behind the pick-up counter. “We had two call-offs tonight, so I’ll have to just visit with you all in spurts. The girls are at our usual table. I’ll be by to grab your orders shortly.”
She smiled back. “Okay, but I’m pretty sure you already know mine.”
Evie chuckled and her caramel-colored eyes filled with warmth. “Lasagna and breadsticks.”
“Got it on the first try.”
“I’d better,” Evie said. “You’ve been ordering it for months now.”
“Why mess with a good thing?” She grinned and headed to the table where Sophia, Jenna, and Faith sat waving at her.
As she passed the bar, she nodded a greeting to Ryder, Scott, and Nico, and she wondered if Jeremy ever joined them. Her heart squeezed at the thought of the guy missing out on the comradery.
Even Elle, who tended to be a lone wolf, knew the benefits of hanging with easy-going people sometimes. It did the soul good, and there was nothing wrong with that on occasion.
“You seem like you’re in a good mood,” Faith said, as Elle settled into the vacant seat on her left.
The beautiful brunette with amazing green eyes was an incredibly talented sculptor and potter. Elle had wandered into the woman’s shop around the corner during her first month in town and fell in love with an exquisite bowl she had absolutely no use for but purchased anyway.
Its graceful curves and smooth contours formed a testament to Faith’s skill and artistry.
Elle was a sucker for creativity, and she admired the sense of character and presence of the piece.
It reminded her of the natural beauty that surrounded her at the cabin, and she wanted something to take with her that would evoke memories of this place when she left.
Sophia cocked her head. “You get some writing done?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “Not a lot, but I’ll take it.”
Jenna poured her a glass of water from a pitcher and slid it to her. “Let me guess…a fight scene, since I heard you were stuck with my brother today.”
Jenna Mercer was another beautiful, creative soul, and Elle enjoyed her company. The pretty florist was sweet and funny and if it weren’t for her amazing blue eyes, Elle never would’ve pegged her as Jeremy’s sister.
Faith and Sophia laughed.
“Actually, it was more informational,” she said. “He actually let me tag along while he questioned people about the recent robberies.”
Jenna’s brows rose. “Really? We’re talking about the same Jeremy Mercer, right?”
She laughed. “Yeah, I know. I was shocked too.”
“You’re wearing him down,” Faith said with a grin.
Sophia nodded.
“Nah. Pretty sure it’s because of the mayor,” Elle stated. “Thankfully, she’s a fan and told them that last year when I ran into her at the precinct.”
Jenna shrugged. “Maybe, but I think it has more to do with the fact he likes you.”
The water Elle was sipping caught in her throat when she inhaled at Jenna’s words, and Jeremy’s earlier question flashed through her head.
Do you want to be friends, Elle?
It wasn’t so much the words but his tone. It was soft, intimate, promising…and a big part of her wanted to answer yes.
“All right, ladies,” Evie said, arriving with an electronic tablet in hand. “What can I get you?”
She breathed a sigh of relief. It was the second time that day she was saved from having to face her feelings for Jeremy.
“With the exception of you, Elle.” Evie smiled. “I already know what you want.”
Faith snickered. “Yeah, Jeremy.”
Sophia raised her brows and Jenna laughed.
“Sorry.” Evie wrinkled her nose. “But hot cop is not on the menu.”
“Neither is your brother or Scott,” Sophia said. “Otherwise, that would take care of Faith and Jenna’s orders, too.”
This time, Elle laughed.
Faith frowned. “I do not want your asshat brother, Evie. No offense,” Faith claimed, but the blush in her cheeks gave her away, as did Jenna’s.
“Just so you know, everyone is aware of the chemistry between you and them,” Elle said. “I’m a people watcher. Those two might be in denial, but it is definitely there.”
Both Evie and Sophia murmured in agreement.
“Yeah, well, we deserve men who have a clue,” the pretty florist stated, sitting up straighter.
Chuckling, Evie shook her head. “Hate to break it to you, but you’ll be waiting a long time, then, because men rarely have a clue. Even my husband, and I love him dearly.”
“It’s true. Most men don’t.” Sophia nodded. “I love Ryder dearly too, but there are times when he traverses without a clue, too.”
Elle sat up and pulled out her pen and notepad. “Oh, that’s good. Can I use that in a book?”
“Absolutely.” Sophia smiled, turning her head to sneak a peek at her fiancé laughing with Scott and Nico at the bar. “Just don’t tell Ryder I said it.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” she assured, writing down the quote before stowing away her pad and pen.
After Evie left with their orders, which were all pasta dishes and no pizza, Jenna leaned closer.
“Does my brother have any leads about the burglaries?”
She shook her head. “None that he’s revealed to me. I do know he plans to talk with you tomorrow, as well as Faith and a few other shop owners he didn’t get to question today.”
Elle could understand Jenna’s concern, and it truthfully worried her that Gabe’s was almost broken into, and that both Jenna and Faith could be next.
The conversation turned to the theater and the sets Sophia was working on for the upcoming musical. Elle was happy for the change in subject, and it remained lighthearted all through their meal, right into dessert.
Even though she could be back at the cabin writing, Elle was glad she’d kept the girls’ night out date.
She scooped a forkful of tiramisu into her mouth and barely held back a moan.
It was good, and so was connecting with friends.
A luxury she knew was dangerous, but since it wasn’t going to be long-term, Elle didn’t see the harm.
Once her books were written, she’d move on to another state and start a new series.
But for now, she enjoyed the company and not getting so self-absorbed in deadlines, writer’s block, and a certain sexy cop who…just walked into the restaurant.