Page 65 of Searching for Bristol
“Yeah. Is that bad?”
“No, not at all. I’m just surprised. I’ve been with Ethan for a while now, and he doesn’t talk too much about his time as a SEAL. I know about the mission that made him want to get out, but he doesn’t like to talk about his military experience much.”
Warmth spread throughout Bristol at the thought of Rocky opening up to her like he had.
“You’re good for him,” Lilly continued. “I’ve noticed since you’ve moved in, Rocky’s a lot more social. I mean, that’s not really the word I’m looking for, but it kind of is. He doesn’t hang out with everyone as much as the other guys do. I don’t think it’s because he doesn’t like crowds, it’s more like he isn’t able to stomach people in general. That’s changed since he met you.”
Bristol couldn’t help but laugh a little. “I’m not sure I have anything to do with that. I’m not exactly the most extroverted person. You know, crazy loner artist and all that.”
Lilly huffed out an amused sound. “That’s not how I see you at all. You draw people to you with ease, Bristol. I mean that. Look at Sandra. She was so worried about you after only knowing you a week that she went out of her way to say something to Rocky, begging him to go look for you. And then there’s Khloe and Finley.”
“What about them?” Bristol asked.
“They certainly didn’t take tomelike they have you. I even saw Khloe laughing with you at the festival last Saturday.”
“That’s unusual?”
“Um,yeah. She sticks to herself. Doesn’t talk to many people and certainly doesn’t go out of her way to socialize. And Finley’s so shy, she usually stays in the bakery kitchen and doesn’t care to mingle. Seeing you guys hanging out at the festival was awesome. You might think you’re an introvert, but you really aren’t.”
Bristol thought about what Lilly said for a moment, then admitted, “I think it’s Fallport. There’s something about this town that makes me so relaxed. I don’t even know my neighbors in Kingsport.”
“Or maybe it’s because a complete stranger—a handsome and good man, at that—invited you to recuperate in his home,” Lilly said, laughing.
“Okay, probably,” Bristol agreed. The thought of Rocky had her biting her lip and worrying all over again. “Do you think they’ll be back tonight?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes they’re only gone a few hours, and other times they’re searching for days.”
Bristol inhaled sharply. Days? For some reason, it hadn’t occurred to her that they’d be gone longer than overnight.
“They’ll stay out for as long as it takes. If the search drags on for too long, they’ll take turns coming in to sleep and take a break. When they were looking for my missing co-worker—you know, from the TV show?—they were out searching for weeks. Not all at one time, but they refused to stop until they found him.”
“I’m sorry about your friend,” Bristol said. She’d heard all about the missing TV personality, how one of her other co-workers had killed him, dumped his body in the woods, then tried to frame Lilly for the murder and make it look like she’d committed suicide.
“Thank you. Anyway, there’s no telling how this search will go. I haven’t been with Ethan when they’ve had a search like this one, though. Looking for someone who’s actively tryingnotto be found.”
Bristol shivered.
“But I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Lilly added in a firm tone.
“Yeah.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?”
Bristol had no idea. She’d kind of been letting Rocky’s schedule dictate her own. “I’m not sure.”
“You want to meet for breakfast? I can pick you up.”
“I’d love that.”
“Sunny Side Up?”
“Is there any other place to eat breakfast in Fallport?” Bristol asked.
Lilly laughed. “Well, yeah, but none as good. We can stop at The Sweet Tooth and see Finley afterward if you want.”
“Sounds good.”
“And, Bristol?”
