Page 49 of Priest
She flits around, finding the perfect-size box and stuffing it with paper to keep the flowers secure.
“We won’t have a problem, Rosie.”
She stops what she’s doing and flashes a shy smile at me. “Is Thunder your new name? Like Madonna or Cher?” She’s teasing me. I remember her doing that when I sat on the couch waiting for Clarissa to get ready for wherever the hell she decided we were going that night.
“Kind of.”
She pushes the box toward me. “All ready. I hope she loves these.”
“Quinn will love them.”
“Lucky girl to have so many people to make her day special,” she says. Maybe I’m imagining it, but her tone turns wistful, almost sad.
“How did Clarissa die?”
“Overdose,” she says softly. “We were devastated. I’d like to say we were surprised, but we knew it would end that way if she didn’t stop. She chose not to.”
Hammer returns for the second box, and I grab the other. Hammer is about to leave when he turns and speaks to Rose. “I was thinking, maybe we can grab a coffee sometime.”
I want to smash this vase right over his thick head. What did he not understand?
“Thank you, I’m flattered, but I don’t date,” Rose replies quietly. “Please give the happy couple my best.”
What the hell does she mean she doesn’t date?
As soon as we get out of the shop and into the truck, I turn to Hammer. “What the fuck was that? I told you she was off-limits,” I growl.
Hammer grins. “I fucking knew it. You’re into her.”
I shake my head. “You’re fucking crazy. I don’t date girls. I fuck women.”
“Yeah, she doesn’t date either.” Then the bastard laughs out loud.
I’m not ready to give an explanation to Hammer or anyone else. I feel like I need to protect Rose. The last thing Rose Marie Mariner needs is a man like me.
Song, Artist
”Take Me Home Tonight,” Eddie Money
”Dreamlover,” Mariah Carey
”I’m a Mess,” Avril Lavigne and Yungblud
”Eyes on You,” Nicky Youre
“Jack & Diane,” John Mellencamp
“Good Enough,” Lifehouse
“Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” Jack Johnson
”Wish You Were Here,” Avril Lavigne
”Someone You Loved,” Lewis Capaldi
“Accidentally in Love,” Counting Crows
“You and Me,” Lifehouse
“It’s My Life,” Bon Jovi
“I’m Still Standing,” Elton John
“Enough,” charlieonnafriday
“Going, Going, Gone,” Luke Combs
“Thank God,” Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown
