Page 8 of Now and Then

“So,” Rachel says, leaning across the table, “I’m really glad we’re doing this.”

“A bet is a bet.” I slump back against the booth. “And I’m a man of my word.”

I hope Sutton doesn’t think this dinner with Rachel is a date. It is nowhere in the vicinity of being a date. Maybe old me would have taken it as an opportunity to see if there was a spark there, but I’ve only ever found sparks with one woman. And I’ve had enough searching for sparks with other women to last a lifetime.

My spark is five and a half feet tall with red hair, a sassy attitude, and a seat at the bar across the room.

The waitress returns with our drinks. I sip my Paloma.

“I heard about the call yesterday out at Magnolia Road,” Rachel says. “Did you find anything?”

“Not a damn thing,” I mumble.

I glance across the bar, and my gaze lands on Sutton. She’s closer to the man now, their thighs practically touching. Jealousy clouds my vision at this man spending the evening with the only woman in this world I wish were mine.

“You were a great officer, Hunter,” Rachel says. “I’m sure it’ll take time to find your footing in the world of detectives.” Rachel’s words tamper the raging inferno in my chest.

I give her a practiced smile. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

She’s right. I was a good officer. I doubt Chief Rhodes would have promoted me if he didn’t think I had the skill set. But I wasn’t quite prepared for the shift of actively helping people on a daily basis to working behind the scenes—and questioning myself almost daily.

And this isn’t the first time Life has thrown me a curveball in my career plans. I studied business at college, but when Dad was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and Mom was struggling to work full-time and care for him, I dropped out early and moved home. They needed me.

I worked a few odd jobs while getting Dad to his appointments and helping Mom take care of the house and bills. When things got a bit better, I saw a recruitment ad for the Suncrest Valley Police Department. It was a great way to stay close to home while starting a career. I gladly took the opportunity and have excelled at it over the last decade.

“Hey, um, I’ll be right back,” Rachel says, leaving the booth.

“Oh, sure, no problem.”

I’m sure even to Rachel it’s clear as day something is off with me tonight. What Rachel probably doesn’t realize is it’s the woman across the bar that puts me off-kilter every time she’s in my vicinity.

When Sutton and the man she’s with burst into a fit of raucous laughter, I can’t take it anymore. I slide out of the booth, determined to figure out who is making her laugh like that.

I approach slowly, not wanting to frighten her. Or piss her off, which happens more often than not lately. “Hey, Sutton.”

“Oh, hi. Didn’t know you were coming here tonight.”

“Yeah, I lost a bet with Rachel, so I owe her dinner,” I say. “If I would’ve known you were here, I would’ve gotten food for you too and had you join us.”

“I’m good. Just ordered.”

“Who’s this?” I turn to face . . . “Easton Rhodes? What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Hey, Hunter,” Easton says, pushing his barstool back. “It’s been a long time.” He gives me a high-five and pulls me into a one-armed hug.

“It really has, man. What brings you back to town?”

I let go of Easton and rest my hand on Sutton’s lower neck. She leans back into my touch, her skin smooth as silk beneath my rough callouses. I’ve touched her like this a thousand times—guiding her through crowds, steadying her on slick river rocks, pulling her into side hugs that lasted a second too long. Every time felt normal. Every time felt like standing on the edge of something we never quite stepped into.

I don’t miss the look Easton gives us. I’m sure he has all sorts of questions about Sutton and me—he and half the town. But I’m as lost as he is, wishing I knew where we stood.

“Well,” Easton says, “Dad wanted me to lead the remodel project at the police station.”

Sutton groans and her folded hands fall into her lap. “Hey, Joe,” she calls out. “I’m going to need that next round now.”

Joe gives her a cold, hard stare from his position behind the bar and shakes his head.

“Seriously?” Sutton snaps, crossing her arms on the bar and resting her head on her forearms.