Part 13 (2/2)
”First race starts in an hour.”
I scooped up an armful of grooming supplies. I hung the soft bristled brushes as quickly as possible. ”I got sidetracked with Doctor Daniel. Then I literally ran into Fallon Keller.” Once the brushes were displayed, I started on the combs.
”I still haven't heard from, nor seen, Betty since yesterday. Who knows what she's up to?” I continued to rattle off the morning activities at warp speed. ”Get this, Valerie showed up at the boutique today, begging me to talk to Betty and get her to confess all of her dirty little secrets. And to top it all off, Callum MacAvoy knows Stephanie.”
Darby pushed back the hair from her eyes. ”I'm not even sure where to start. The only person you didn't mention was Grey.”
”That's because his was the only name you were listening for.” I stacked the last metal grooming comb next to the other four on the table. ”We're having dinner tonight. To talk.” Antic.i.p.ation and anxiety knotted in my stomach.
After I hung the last pup sweater, we stepped back to survey our handiwork. It wasn't Betty-Beautiful, but we were ready for business.
I hugged Darby. ”I couldn't have done it without you. You're the best.”
She tilted her head. ”I've always got your back. Mel, I know it's none of my business, but if you need to talk about whatever is going on between you and Grey, I'm here.”
I nodded. I desperately wanted to confide in her. I needed a sounding board and levelheaded advice. But in order to do that, I'd have to divulge the truth about Grey's FBI job, and that option was off the table.
”I know. I appreciate it. There's not a lot to tell. I crossed a line and he has every right to be mad. We're working it out. I promise.”
A sliver of suns.h.i.+ne broke through the dark clouds, as Darby said, ”I can't imagine you've done anything he can't forgive.”
Guilt kept me from looking at her for too long. I stashed the empty totes under the table. ”Did you find Malone and give him your photos yesterday?”
She nodded. ”He was actually very receptive. He even thanked me.”
I laughed, picturing how difficult that must have been for him. ”How very un-Malone-like. You know, he's done a couple of un-Malone-like things lately. I wonder why.”
Darby shrugged. ”I try not to think about him.”
Talking about the ever-so-serious detective made me remember the bet Sven had asked me to place. I reached for the crinkled twenty shoved in my pocket. ”Have you heard anything about a gambling ring?” I asked Darby.
”No, but I've heard talk between some of the other vendors and fans about friendly wagers being placed.”
I pulled my hair back into a quick ponytail and sighed. ”I think there's more to it than that.”
”Like organized crime?” Darby asked in a hushed voice.
I shook my head. ”Sven, from the Koffee Klatch, made it sound like he was placing a low-key wager. At the time I believed him. But when I ran into Lenny at Rodney's chili truck, I got the feeling it was more serious than a simple friendly wager. Speaking of chili, I'm starving. I haven't eaten lunch.”
Darby opened her messenger bag and pulled out a snack-sized energy bar. ”Here.”
”Are you sure?” I practically had it unwrapped before she could answer.
”I've got two more.”
”Thank you,” I managed to say around a mouthful of rolled oats and chocolate chips.
The mini-bar was gone in two bites. I was about to suggest a quick trip to the food trucks before we were swamped with customers when I saw Grey pop out from behind a young family of four who were all dressed like Underdog-capes included.
”Grey's here.” I sounded like a teen girl who was about to be caught with a boy in her room.
Darby leaned against me, peeking over my shoulder. ”I thought he wasn't coming.”
I turned toward my best friend, quickly wiping the crumbs from the corner of my mouth. ”Do I have chocolate smeared across my face?”
Darby held me at arm's length and gave me a quick best-friend-once-over. ”You look fine.”
”Yeah, well, if my Mama was here she'd tell me to slap on some lipstick.” My mother thought everything was better, or at least easier to ignore, if she was in full makeup. And jewelry. Mama could easily be confused with a model at a Tiffany's photo shoot.
I looked back in Grey's direction and waved. He nodded in acknowledgment. He'd dressed down today. Dark jeans with an untucked cobalt blue, b.u.t.ton-up s.h.i.+rt. It felt like my stomach was performing an Irish clog dance. The closer Grey got, the stronger the clog-stomping.
”Do you want me to leave?” Darby asked.
”Absolutely not.” I may have sounded slightly panicked, which, given the fact that I felt like I was about to go on my first blind date, was perfectly normal.
”Does he have a Gina's Pizza to-go bag?” Darby asked.
I sighed in food l.u.s.t at the brown paper bag clutched in his left hand. Gina's Pizza was my favorite restaurant. ”Yes, he does.”
”Good afternoon, ladies.” Grey's deep voice shook me to my toes.
”Hey,” I said, dividing my attention between his handsome face and the food.
”Hi,” Darby said through an amused smile. ”She missed lunch.”
My mouth watered as the smell of marinara tickled my nose. ”Please tell me that's a meatball sandwich.” If this was his version of a peace offering, I accepted.
Grey peeked inside the bag and acted like he wasn't sure I'd want it. ”Well, it's only a half and no longer warm. Oh, and I have a bottle of water.”
I held out my hand. ”Perfect.”
He chuckled as he handed me the food. ”I took a chance you missed lunch.”
If I wasn't already in love with him, I'd fall in love all over again. Obviously, I could be bribed with food.
”Any sign of Betty and her gun?” he asked.
”Not yet. We're no longer the only ones looking for the filmmaker either. Apparently, she recorded Gia threatening her. Now Gia wants the video.”
”I hate to say it, but that would make great footage,” Darby said.
”What about you? Did you have any luck?” I asked Grey as I pulled out the sandwich and unwrapped one end. I inhaled the sweet smell of marinara as I lifted the sandwich to my mouth. My teeth bit into the toasted bread with a loud crunch. I closed my eyes and sighed. Heaven.
He shook his head. ”Unfortunately, no. Have you heard from Malone?”
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