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ONE
THE DAY HAD ACTUALLY STARTED out reallywell. WhenScarlett Westbrookopened her eyes that morning, all she knew wasthatoneofherbestfriendswasgettingmarried,thesunwasshiningonabeautifulautumnday,andlifewasgood. No,lifewas great.She’dawokeninher plushbed,inahouseshe’dscrimpedandsavedtobuy,feelinglikefinally, finally, things were coming together. The hard patches in her life were over, and now she could finally live. She rode that high, smiling,laughing,celebrating,upuntil itwastimeforhertomakeaspeechatLucyandCormac’sweddingreception That’s whenthingsbegantogowrong.
ShestoodinherfriendLucy’sparents’backyardwiththerestoftheguests.LucyandCormachadhadaprivateceremony thatmorning, and now theyhad gathered all their familyand friends atthe Barlows’place for the reception Casual itmight havebeen,buttheeventwasn’tlackinginjoyandmerriment.Thebackyardhadbeenstrungupwithfairylights,musicblasted fromspeakers,andfriendsandneighborshaddriftedovertoshareinfoodanddrinksandlaughter.
Lucylooked fabulous inher gown Itwas a showstopper ofbeadingand tulle and elegance, and notatall whatScarlett would have envisioned for her quietfriend. The momentshe’d seenLucystep outofthe car as she arrived atthe reception, Scarlett knew Lucyhad chosenwell Anunderstated gownwouldn’t have made Lucyglow the waythis one did Asubtle, simpledresswouldn’thavetwinkledunderthelightsandreflectedtheincandescenthappinessinLucy’seyes.Thedresswas perfectinitsexuberance
Scarletthaddonatedhundreds offlowers fromher shopfor theevent,arrangingthemall over thebackyardandsunroom whereguestscelebratedtheunionofthehappycouple Aroundherwerepeoniesinpalepink,deepfuchsia,andwhite;dahlias ranging fromblush to the deepest red; elegant, trumpet-shaped calla lilies; carnations with their ruffled petals and lovely fragrance;roses and gardenias;and fronds and ferns and accompanyinggreenery She’d raided her store for everybeautiful, brightflower shecouldspare,becauseLucywas afriend.Thebestoffriends.LucyhadwelcomedScarlettwithopenarms, enfoldingher inthe group that had become almost like a family Lucy’s quiet industriousness had had a soothingeffect on Scarlettas she established herselfinthis new town. The dark-haired bride deserved all the flowers inScarlett’s shop, and more.
ComingtoStirling,New Hampshirehadbeenarebirthfor Scarlett,andtoday’seventwasoneofthefirsttimesinmany, manyyearsthatshetrulyfeltlikeshebelonged.She’dbeenincludedbefore morningbootcamps,coffeesandbrunches,nights out,movingdays,backyardbarbecues,holidays butLucy’sweddingwasdifferent She,alongwithLucy’sparents,Cormac’s family, and the rest of their friends, had brought the event together withina week, and Scarlett had felt like she’d beenan integralpartoftheoperation.Shewasn’tjustinvited;shewasimportant. Shewashome.
Becauseitwas her laptopthathadbeenneededtosetupthemicrophoneandprojector,anditwasherphonethatshe’djust swiped to unlock. The two devices knew eachother;theywere the bestoffriends too. And intheir haste to show justhow closetheywere,thelaptopandthephonebegantospeaktoeachother,andtheygotthespeakersandprojectorscreeninvolved aswell.
As she stood infrontofall the people thathad finallymade her feel athome, her phone’s screenflicked awayfromthe speechshe’dwrittenandautomaticallyopenedheraudiobookapp,whichhelpfullypickeduprightwhereScarletthadleftoff thatmorning.
A surprised murmur went through the audience as the projector screen which had been displaying a slideshow of adorablephotosofLucy,Cormac,andtherestofthegang flickedtoanimageofanoiled-upmanwithaveryimpressiveset ofabs.Thewords Taken by the Shifter King weresplashedacrossthebottomofthescreen.Scarlettwasintimatelyacquainted with that cover, since it belonged to one of her favorite books There was a certain ahem chapter that she revisited frequently.She’ddonesojustafewhoursearlier,inthosewonderfulhourswhenlifewasfantastic.
Fumbling,Scarletttriedtoclosetheapp,butshewasholdingitwithher non-dominantlefthand therightbeingtheone holding the microphone and instead of closing the audiobook, her uncoordinated fingers flicked back to her speech by accident.
Meanwhile,thespeakerscrackled,andScarlett’sfacegrewsohotsofastthatpassingoutwasarealpossibility Yes,she’d beenlisteningto a sexyromance novel earlier featuringa werewolfand his humanmate. Yes, she’d paused it whenshe’d, well,finishedwithit No,shehadn’tgivenitasecondthought
“‘You’ll take all of me,’Magnus growled, his beast riding close to the surface I whimpered, thighs trembling with need I could see the feral light in Magnus’s eyes, could feel his need in the tight clasp of his hand around my thigh. His claws had begun to emerge, pressing against my yielding flesh ‘Yes,’I gasped ”
Someone was cackling. Camilla? Someone else was scandalized, judging by the loud gasp. Murmurs grew in the assembledcrowd Scarletthearditalllikeshewasunderwater,thenoisesdistorted,distant Shetriedtogetbacktotheaudiobookapptoendthishumiliation.Thiswasn’thowthespeechwassupposedtogo. “‘Magnus wrenched my knees apart and positioned himself at my entrance His breaths were sharp as he took himself in one hand, giving himself one last swift stroke before he ”
Because a moment later, an automated female voice proclaimed, “New message from: Gas Station Attendant Jimmy. Hey gorgeous. Missing those buns of yours. ” Scarlett’sstomachplummeted.Her chestwassuddenlyanemptycavity,withnothingbutgurglinghorror beginningtofill thevoid.
Thenthe automated voice said, helpfully, “A peach emoji. An eggplant emoji. A water droplets emoji. A winking face emoji. A crazy face emoji. A tongue emoji. Three kissing face emojis.”
Theoneeveningshe’dspentwithGasStationAttendantJimmyhadbeenahorrible,horriblemistake.Scarlettrealizedthat now
Therobotladyadded:“And. Gas Station Attendant Jimmy. Been a while. U free tonight?” Someone in the audience called out, “Who’s Gas Station Attendant Jimmy?” Someone else said, “Get it, girl!” People laughed.
Therobottoldthecrowd,“And. Gas Station Attendant Jim ” Ahigh-pitchedsquealmadeeveryonewince,butthevoicewentblessedlysilent.Asecondlater,thescreenwasblack.
Scarlett hyperventilated Still struggling with the phone in her non-dominant hand, she finally shifted to hold the microphoneunderherarmpit,putthephoneinherrighthand,flickeditintoDoNotDisturbMode,switchedtotheaudiobook app,andshutitdownwithaflickofherthumb Shewastremblingallover,theworldunsteadybeneathherfeet Herearsrang Facehot,sheturnedherbacktotheaudienceandsuckedinahardbreath,tryingtoregainhercomposure.Tearssprangto thecornersofhereyes,andawaveofmortificationmadeherkneesknock Shehadmoments mereseconds toputhermask backon,topretendthatshewasn’tsoashamedshewantedtodisappear,tohopethatLucywasn’tbotheredthatScarletthad just blasted explicit werewolf sex at her wedding reception, and then followed it up with texts from a horny gas station attendantwho’ddecidedtonightwasthenighttoshoothisshot
Apartofherdiedinthatmoment.Itwasalittlebud,itspetalsbeginningtounfurl,thehopethathadstartedtobloomwith her new beginninginthis town While everyone recovered fromthe high-pitched squeal ofthe speakers, that buddinghope wiltedanddied,adriedhuskofwhatitcouldhavebeen.
Thefactthatherheartfeltlikeithadturnedblackandperishedinherchestwasofnoconcern Ithadhappenedbefore,and itwould happenagain. She could deal withthis;she had no choice. She wouldn’tbreakinfrontofall these people these kind,friendlypeoplewhohadmadeherfeellikeshebelonged She’dshowthemwhattheywantedtosee:aconfident,slightly embarrassed butunapologetic womanwho was comfortable inher ownskin. Nota tremblinglittle mouse who feltlike her worldhadjustended.ThatversionofScarlettcouldonlycomeoutwhenshewasaloneagain.
Inhaling once more, Scarlett forced herself to straighten her shoulders. She could do this. All she had to do was turn around, blast them all with a smile, and laugh as she covered her eyes with her hand, pretending to only be jokingly embarrassedtohidethetruemortificationpoisoningherblood Thenshe’drunaway
Hewatchedherthrougheyesthatmissednothing,thepalecolorofhisiriseshighlightedbyhissun-darkenedskinandthe few fine lines extending fromthe corners of his eyes She wasn’t used to seeing himin a suit, and the effect was slightly staggering.Heworehisshirtopenatthecollar,revealingacordedthroatandmorebronzedskin.
His brows furrowed slightlyas he mether gaze, and Scarlettwondered, distantly, whathe saw writtenonher features. Couldhe tell the depthofher distress? Couldhe see how devastatedshe was tohave messedupthis moment? Wouldhe be abletoreadjusthowmuchshe’dwantedtohonorherfriendshipwithLucy,andhowashamedshewastohavemadeamockery ofit?
Then his arm shifted, and Scarlett noticed the dangling ends of two cords between his fingers The speaker and the projector.Hergazerosetomeethisagain,andhearchedabrow.
“Savedyourlife,”hesaid,voicepitchedsoonlyshecouldhear Pushinghimselfoffthedoorframe,Archersteppeddown ontothestairjustabovetheoneonwhichshestood.Hesmelleddelicious;butthen,shealreadyknewthatfrombefore. He was close enoughto touch Close enoughthatScarlettcould see the pale grayofhis eyes, the little specks ofdarker blue.Closeenoughthatsherememberedhowitfelttobeinhisarms.
Sheblinked,droppedhergaze,andtookastepback.Retreated.Shedidn’twanttorememberthefeelofhislipsagainsther skinor the wayshe’d beenable to smell the scent ofhimfor anhour after they’d parted That would be treacherous That wouldmakeherwantthingsshecouldneverhave.They’dsharedoneill-conceivedencounter,andnothinglikeitwouldever happenagain
Scarlettwasanidiot,notafool.
“Ithinkyoumightowe me one after this,” Archer said, inspectingthe ends ofthe two cords. His fingers were long, his palmscalloused.Aworkingman’shands.Thefeelofthemslidingagainstherthighshaddonemorethananyfictionalwerewolf ever could. Archer touched the gold-tipped end of the speaker cord. “Who knows what Jimmywould have said next? The
THAT MORNING, ashe’ddressedfortheevent,Archerhadn’tthoughtofScarlett.Thenhe’darrived,seenherinherdress and heels and hair and makeup, and beentransported backto a darkened hallwayjust around the corner fromMarlonand Camilla’sweddingreceptionseventeenmonthsearlier.Herememberedwhatitfeltliketohaveallthoselushcurvespressed tighttohisbody,andhewantedtofeelitagain.
Today,he’dwalkedintotheBarlows’homeandseenhertalkingtoGusBarlow,Lucy’sdad,whileshearrangedflowerson oneofthesidetablesinthesunroom.Thesunhadglintedoffhermedium-brownhair,highlightingtheglossywaves.Herdress wasblack,cutclosetoherbody He’dstoodthere,tenfeetaway,watchingthewayherhandsarrangedtheflowerswithgentle precisionas her lips gracedGus witha warmsmile.She’dlookedlike a goddess ofdesire,sentdowntoEarthfor the sole purposeofturningmen’sbrainstomush.GushimselflookedslightlythunderstruckasScarlettlaughedatoneofhisjokes.Then theoldermanjoinedinamomentlaterasifrememberingbelatedlythatheshouldbelaughingtoo.
Archerhadstoodthere,sickwithwantingher.
Butthere wouldn’tbe a repeatofthe lastweddingArcher and Scarletthad attended together They’d agreed;theywere friendswhohadgottencarriedaway.Afew toomanydrinksconsumedwhiletheywatchedtwopeoplecommittheirlivesto eachother had addled their brains, butthey’d recovered quickly There were no real feelings betweenArcher and Scarlett, onlyabitofpost-weddinglustthatthey’dindulgedinwithoutthinkingitthrough.
Buthe knew where things stood betweenthem, and he agreed. Itwas better notto indulge incarnal thoughts, especially whenso muchwas atstake Archer couldn’tlose the onlypeople who trulycared abouthim, trulyaccepted himas he was Especiallynotforawoman.
Andafewmomentsago,afterhe’dpulledthecordsandcutthesoundandvideotoScarlett’sdisastrousspeech,he’dseen something in her face It only lasted a moment, right at the peak of her embarrassment It was an awful, haunted sort of vulnerability.Somethingthatwassoatoddswiththeconfident,self-containedwomanheknewScarletttobe. Itshockedhim.
Thattormentonherfacehadbeenaknifetothegut,andnowArcherwasantsy Hewantedtofixit,whateveritwas But Scarlettwasturningtofacetheaudienceagain,andtherewasnothingArchercoulddobutwait.
Laughter rippled through the audience. Camilla put her fingers to her lips and wolf-whistled, to which Scarlett added, sardonically,“Gasstationattendantsneednotapply.”
The laughter grew, and Archer watched as Scarlettflattened the crowd withthatbrilliantsmile ofhers. Standinga little behindandtothesideofher,hesawScarlettinprofileandnoticedthewaytheedgesofherlipstrembled,notedthetensionin hershoulders
Thatsmile was a mask, he realized, straightening. He couldn’tbelieve he hadn’tseenitbefore. Archer, who could read peoplemoreeasilythananytext Whohadbuilthisbusinessonthefoundationofhischarmandhisintuition He’dmissedthe bigneonsignthatproclaimedthatScarlettwasn’ttheunshakablepillarofself-assurancesheappearedtobe.
“Someonewhohasgreattasteinmenisthatwomanrightthere,”Scarlettcontinued,sweepingherarmtowardthebackof the yard. “Lucyis one ofthe kindest, mosthard-workingpeople I’ve ever met, and I’mthrilled to be able to stand here and congratulateher”
Scarlettended her speechwithanother one ofher megawattsmiles, handed the microphone offto Leo, who approached fromthelawn,andthenturnedherbacktotheaudienceandhurriedupthestepsleadingtothesunroom.
“Excuse me,” she mumbled as she slid pastArcher inthe doorway, squeezingpastso no partofher touched anypartof him Hecaughtaglimpseofhercrumpledface,andaspearlancedhimrightthroughthechest Herscentlingeredforamoment, sweetandsummery,asshehurriedintothehouseanddisappearedaroundacorner.
He didn’thesitate for a moment He was twosteps behind her as she shutherselfinthe downstairs powder room, close enoughtohearhershudderingbreaththroughthedoor.
“Yourspeechwasgreat,”hetoldthedoor Asnifflesounded,andArcher’sribswinchedtighter Silence stretched. Casting about for something that would make her speak to him, Archer settled on the worst option: “Whichgasstationisit,exactly,whereJimmyworks?”
The bathroomdoor flew open. Scarlett stood in the doorway, looking furious and fragile and beautiful. Archer’s heart stuttered.Her browneyes were glazed,andthe tipofher nose was red.Her hair,previouslystyledtoshampoo-commercial perfection,lookedlikeshe’dbeenrunningherhandsthroughitafewtoomanytimes.Archerimagineditwouldlooksomewhat similarifheweretowakeupandfindherinhisbed,whichwasanicethought.
No.No,itwasabadthought.Itwasaverywrongthought.
“Jimmyisnoneofyourbusiness,Archer,”Scarlettanswered,eyesflashing,whichdidn’thelpArcherregaincontrolofhis waywardthoughtsintheslightest Shelookedgoodwhenshewasangry Butshewasmadthathe’dproddedher aboutanother man.WhatwasGasStationAttendantJimmytoher?Didshe did shelovehim?
Hisshoulderseased.“Isee.”TwoyearswouldmeanJimmyhadbeenonthatdatebeforeArcherandScarletthadtheir… moment Archer couldn’t decide if he preferred that to the alternative, and he also couldn’t figure out why he should care whetherJimmycamebeforeorafterhim.“Hejusttextedyououtoftheblue?”
Heshrugged “It’smymom’sbirthdaytomorrow IliketoupstagemyyoungerbrotherinanywayIcan”Notthatitwould make a difference, butold habits died hard. He’d be expected to make anappearance athis parents’house, and he knew he couldn’tshowupempty-handed.Itwaseasiernottorocktheboat.
Another tendril of Scarlett’s scent teased Archer’s nose as she flicked her hair over her shoulder She mulled over his words as she adjusted her dress, thentouched the stone betweenher collarbones as ifto make sure itwas still there. She’d painted her nails to matchher makeup a sparklypeachypink Awomanwho paid attentionto details, who liked adorning herselfindelicate,beautifulthings.Nowondersheownedaflowershop. Finally,Scarlettshrugged.“Fine.Youcanpickthemuptomorrow.”
Vicky glanced at Scarlett, then at Archer Her left eyebrow twitched a fraction of an inch She hummed but didn’t say anything,thenusheredthembothoutsidetorejointhefestivities.
Archer watched as Scarlett donned her mask, but he knew things between them had changed. Whether or not Scarlett realizeditwasanotherstory
THE AIR WAS CRISP, the scentofautumnheavyonthe breeze. Scarletttucked her scarfinto her pea coatand shoved her handsinherpockets.Besideher,Archerseemedimpervioustothecold.Hissuitjacketwasopen,hisstrideeasy. They’d seenLucyand Cormac off, thenhelped withthe cleanup atthe Barlows’place. Finally, feetaching, Scarletthad saidhergoodbyes.Archerhadappearedbyhersideandwalkedoutwithher,eventhoughshe’dtriedtoslipoutwhilehewas busyinanotherpartofthehouse
“I have violets and irises,” Scarlett said, liftingher head to inhale the freshscents inthe air. She loved fall, loved the coolness,thecolorsoftheleaves,thelastdregsofwarmthtobeenjoyedduringtheday “Ialsohavegorgeouscarnationsthat arewhitewithpurpleedges.Wecouldmixafewofthemwithwhiterosesorevenlilies.Iloveirisesandliliestogether.” Archernodded.“Sure.”
“Ihadajobatafloristincollege,part-time Workedallthroughundergradandmymaster’sdegree Thenwhenmyjobhunt post-graduationgotme nowhere, Itooka certificate infloristryto tide me over. Iliked workingatthe shop, and Ifigured I mightaswellupskill Thatledtomemanagingtheshopandtheneventuallystartingmyown” Archermethergaze,hisexpressionoddlyguarded.“Soyou’reoneofthosesmartpeople,huh?”
“Dependswhoyouask,”Scarlettanswereddrily Archer’s lips twitched. “It was similar for me. I apprenticed as a carpenter after I just scraped by with a high school diploma,thinkingI’dmakeabitofmoneywhileIfiguredoutmynextmove.Myparentswerepushingcollegehard,butIdidn’t havethegrades Therewasjustnoway I ”Hedriftedoff,grimacing “Anyway,IdiscoveredIlikedworkingwithmyhands, signedupfortradeschool,becameacarpenter,andeventuallygotmycontractor’slicenseandstartedworkingformyself.”
He paused whenhe noticed Scarlett had stopped walking Scarlett barelynoticed his questioningglance, onlydistantly heard his words. Her eyes were onthe frontofher shop, onthe jagged petals ofbrokenglass marringher frontdoor. Heart hammering,shetriedtomakesenseofwhatshewasseeing.
ThishadhappenedtoCamillaafewyearsback,andthey’ddiscoveredthatthelocalshadyloanshark,FrankieSmith,had been behind the vandalism But Scarlett hadn’t had any dealings with Smith, so it couldn’t be his fault her shop had been targeted.
Totheleft,theconsoletablewhereScarlettkeptherorchidshadbeenknockedasideandoverturned Theorchidslittered theground,withsoilstrewnalloverthefloor.Afewfootprintswerevisibleinthedirt.Mostofherorchidswouldn’tsurvive; Scarlettcould alreadytell. One ofthe buckets onthe far wall thatheld bunches ofcutflowers had beenoverturned, and the waterhadmixedwiththedirtfromtheorchidstoformamuddymessalongonesideoftheroom Butthat’snotwhatmadeherchestfeelhollowasadrum.
Herheartthumped,anditfeltlikethegreattollingofabell Ittooklongmomentstotakeinthescene,tomakesenseofit,to recognize that it was real. The smell was what did it: rich floral notes, turned earth, and the metallic tang of blood. Her sanctuaryhadbeenviolated
Archersuckedinabreath,andScarlettcamebacktoherself,stomachtwistingitselfintoaknot.Hestoodfrozeninfrontof her,hisarmsouttostopScarlettfromenteringthespace She’dtakeninthewholescenestaringoverhisoutstretchedarm An awful,finalsilenceblanketedtheroom.
ETHEL BROWN WAS INDEED DEAD, andScarlett’sshopwasacrimescene.
As soon as the police arrived, things moved quickly. Officers secured the scene by taping off the shop and placing an officeratthefrontentrancewithaclipboardtotrackpeoplemovinginandout.
The countysheriffhad to be called into provide crime scene technicians and support. Theyparked near the scene, eyes scanningthecrowdthatassembledtowatchthegoings-on
And the crowd was growing. The bloodhounds ofStirlinghad sniffed outa bitofjuicygossip, and theywere gathering outsidetheshopwithalarmingspeed
AclumpofolderladiessharedhotteainaThermosmugonthefarendofthepolicetape.Oneofthempulledoutapackof cookies to share. A block away, the door to Bussy’s, the local bar, flew open, and a veritable stampede of people came barrelingdowntowardthelocalentertainment
Scarlettwatchedblankly,mindreeling.
Ethel Brownhad died inside her store, amidstthe perfume ofScarlett’s flowers and the richsoil ofher potted plants It almostdidn’tmakesense.Whywasshedead?HowdidsheenduponScarlett’sshopfloor?
The elderlywomanhad become notorious inStirling, firstas the leader ofa ringofthieves thathad operated under the radar for years Her sister, Meredith, had been arrested just over three years earlier for attempting to steal a vivid pink diamondengagementringfromFredGoodhew,awealthylocalbusinessowner.
Thenonlyafewmonthslater,anotheroneofEthel’sassociates her“grandson,”whoturnedouttonotberelatedtoherat all hadbeencaughttryingtostealaprecious,bejeweledcaketopperfromGoodhew’sweddingcelebration.Thatwasaround thetimeCamillahadbeendealingwithherbakerybeingtargetedbyalocalloansharkwithagrudge
Ithad seemed like a distantmemory, until Ethel had reappeared whenLucyand Cormac had discovered a counterfeiting operationrightintheheartofStirling.CormachadcaughtEthel,theringleader,buthe’dhadtomakeadecision:bringtheold womanintothepolice,orfindoutwhereEthel’ssonhadtakenLucy He’dchosenLucy,andEthelhadgottenaway Again The town was awash with gossip; Ethel’s gang provided endless fodder for the townspeople to dissect over the weeks that followed
NowtheshadowofEthelBrowndarkenedStirlingevenindeath.Itwastoomuch.Scarlett’sheadswam.She’dmovedto this picturesque townbecause it was famous for weddings, not crime How muchmore rot would theyexpose? How long wouldittaketocutitalloutandfinallyheal?
She watched the county crime scene techs don their suits, booties, and gloves before they entered Pushing Daisies, Archer’sarmtightaroundhershoulders.Itseemedsurreal.Itwouldbealongnight.
Scarlettdid her bestto give offanair ofinnocence, butshe was tired, and ithad beena longday. She looked into the incisiveeyesofDetectiveHolden,whorubbedhismustacheashestudiedher “AndyouwereattheBarlows’placeallday?”
“Idon’tknow,”shesaidforthethirdorfourthtime.Whydidhekeepaskingherthesamequestions?Didhethinkshewas lying?“WewalkedovertoArcher’struckafterwecalled9-1-1andfoundthetoolboxinthebedunlockedandopen Archer said he mighthave forgottento lockit, buthe couldn’tremember. Iwas alreadyatthe Barlows’place whenhe parked here earliertoday”
The detective hummed and stroked his mustache some more. Scarlett tried her best not to fidget. She glanced over at Archer, who was talkingto a different police officer, runninghis hands throughhis hair over and over and over again He lookedstressed.Shecouldn’tblamehim.Shedidn’tlikethelookinthedetective’seyes,orthewayhekeptaskingthesame questionsinslightlydifferentways,likehewastryingtotripherup.
“WhenwewereheadingtopickuptheflowersforArcher’smom Aboutthreeblocksback,Ilookedupandsawasilver car speeding through this intersection right here, going that way.” She pointed down the street, which ran east toward the freewaythatledoutoftown.
“No” Scarlettstudied the brokenglass door thatwas propped opento allow the coroner and officers and detectives to access the scene. “She was…” She shifted her gaze to the detective who continued to watchher withnarrowed eyes. “She was…murdered?”Thelastwordcameoutasawhisper.
Grim-faced,Archer nodded.Theybothturnedtowatchthepoliceworkaroundthecrimescene.Lightsblazedinsideand out, and a number ofcurious onlookers were gathering. The gossip was probablyall over townalready. Scarlett’s business
The old manreared backslightly, thenswunghis gaze backto studythe front of PushingDaisies Thenhe nodded and simplysaid,“Goodriddance,”andturnedtoshuffleofftowardhishome.
“Dead, yousaid?” a womanmurmured onScarlett’s other side Itwas Martha, one ofthe checkoutladies atthe grocery store.Waseveryoneintownoutforaneveningwalktonight?Wastheresomekindofbatsignalflashingintheskytotellthem alltherewassomethingofinteresthappeningdowntown?
MarthasqueezedScarlett’sforearmandtoddledovertowardthem “Whatwas she doinginthere?” a third personsaid, hoppingup the curb to jointhe onlookers atthe police tape. Itwas Chet, the sadistic personal trainer who rana thrice weeklybootcamp Scarlettand her friends attended. Despite the cold, he waswearingoneofthosetanktopsthatdippeddownnearlytohishipstoshowoffallthemusclesonhisribs(which…existed, apparently.Scarlettcertainlydidn’thaveanymusclesthere).“Didshebreakyourwindow?”
Therewasnohidingthisdrama ThegoodpeopleofStirlingcouldsmellbloodinthewater or,rather,intheflowershop and they were coming out to investigate. Her fresh start was wilting before her eyes. It was just like her speech: more evidencethatshedidn’tbelonghere Shewonderedifanyonewouldwanttobuyflowersfromheragain
Glancingatthemanwaitingpatientlybehindher,Scarletthadawobble.Itwasjustamoment andinstant,really when all the reasons she shouldn’tinvite Archer inseemed sillyand inconsequential He stood there, golden-brownhair touched withsilverinthemoonlight,hisgrayeyesfullofcareandconcern,andScarlettwantedhim.
Shewantedhiminadangerousway Dangeroustoherself,toherhealth,toherheart Shewantedtoloseherselfinhisarms the wayshe had after Camilla’s wedding. She wanted to have those coarse, calloused hands onher thighs, onher breasts, wantedhisteethsinkingintoher shoulder Shewantedtoseejusthow goodhisbodylookedunder thoseclothesheworeso well.
Shewantedhiminsideher.
Archer wasthelastmanwhohadtouchedher Shehadn’ttoldanyonethatlittletidbit certainlynothim All her friends thoughtshewasasexuallyliberatedwomanwhowasn’tafraidofcasualencountersthatscratchedtheinevitableitch.Andfor alongtime,itwastrue Afterherexhadleftwithoutawordoverfiveyearsago,Scarletthadfallenintothearmsofmanymen, tryingtofindthemissingpieceofherself.
Becausehishandfelt good onherinnerthigh Itwouldhavefeltevenbetterifhe’dpushedherpantiesasideandtookwhat hewanted.Whattheybothwanted.
Thatwouldhaveeasedtheacheinsideher temporarily.
In the years that had passed since her previous relationship fell apart, Scarlett had become well acquainted with the pleasuresoftheflesh.ItwouldhavebeeneasytoreachthatpeakwithArcher…butthenwhat?
Inthose panting,needymoments atthe backofCamilla’s wedding,Scarletthadseenthe future She’dseenherselfsleep withArcher,enjoyit,thenfeelemptierthanshehadbefore.ButitwouldbeworsethansleepingwithsomeonelikeJimmyfrom the gas stationor one of the menshe’d met onthe various datingapps, because she’d see Archer everyweek. Sometimes multipletimesaweek.
Andnow,standingonherowndoorstep,Scarlettstillbelievedthatshe’dbeenrighttothrowawallupbetweenthem His friendship andthefriendshipoftheentiregroup wasworthmorethanameaslyorgasmortwo.
But it had been a long day. She’d felt bone-deep embarrassment and had to play it off. She’d seen a dead body. Her businesshadbeendesecrated
Archer watched her like he could read everythought. Leaves rustled inthe cool breeze, a few ofthemfallingdownas autumnrain Theairsmelledofwoodsmoke;someonehadlitafireintheirfireplace Twowords.That’sallthatwouldberequired. Come in,shecouldsay,andhewould. Slowly,Archerreachedforher.Hetookherhandwhereitdangledatherside,strokinghisthumboverherknuckles.His touchwasachinglygentle,causingheattobloomalloverherbody
Butas she opened her eyes again, Archer dropped her palmand tooka step back. Whenhe spoke, his voice was rough. “Getsomesleep,Scarlett We’lltalktomorrow”
The bird flapped away, and the branchbowed and swayed under the weightofthe creature’s takeoff. Scarlettreminded herselfofallthereasonsshecouldn’tbewithArcher.
Second, theywere friends Their friends were friends Their lives were alreadyentangled, and those relationships were precioustoScarlett.Ifshepoisonedthatparticularwell,she’dhavenothing.Nofamily,nofriends,nopartner,andabusiness thatwouldsoonbenotoriousforbeingthesceneofagrislymurder
Finally, and maybe most importantly, Scarlett didn’t want sex. Or, rather, she didn’t only want sex; she wanted companionship.Shewantedamantolookather thewayLeolookedatAmelia,andMarlonlookedatCamilla,andCormac lookedatLucy: likeshewas his entireworld Likeall her littlequirks andimperfectionswerethemostfascinating,lovable thingabouther.Shewantedamantoknowher,deepdown,allthewaytotheverycoreofher,andshewantedhimtoloveher notdespitewhathefoundthere,butbecauseofit
Archerwouldn’tgiveherthat.Hehadawicked,teasingsparkleinhiseye,andhewouldbefun,buthewouldn’tloveher thewayshewanted Besides,she’dalreadytriedtoscrew her waytofeelingwhole,andithadn’tworked Shewouldn’tgo downthatpathagain,evenforacharming,attractive,successful,funnymanwholookedatherlikeheknewexactlywhereher buttonswereandhowtopushthem.
So Shecouldn’tbewithhim Thatmuchwascertain
Her conclusion might have been firm, but it didn’t relieve the hunger inside her. She’d have to use her hand and her imaginationforthat Sherolledontoherback,forgotaboutthetreesandthebirdsandthegrayskies,andthoughtofArcher
When Scarlett came back to herself, there was a sheen of sweat all over her body She let out a sigh, her thighs still twitching slightly, knowing she’d only made life worse for herself. She was feeding the beast when she should have been starvingit
Nomatterhowmanytimesshetriedtomakesenseofwhathappened,shefailed.Shewrappedherselfinherfavoritesatin robe andwanderedtothe kitchen a bright,sunnyspace thathadmade her fall inlove withthe home wonderingwhatthe detectivewouldsaytoherwhenshewenttothestation.Handswrappedaroundamugofcoffee,Scarlettstaredoutthekitchen windowtoherbackyard,seeingnothing.
After everything that happened, why would anyone want to be Scarlett’s friend? Her life was just one long slog that sometimesspiraledoutofcontrol ItwouldbeeasierforScarletttocutandrunbeforeyetanotherpersoncouldabandonher
“Butdidyouhave a fresh-bakedcroissantwithhomemade jam? Didyouhave a cinnamonbunthat’s still warmfromthe oven?Didyouhaveaperfectlyflakydanishwithacrispy-sweetgarnishofperfectlycaramelizedpecans?”
Scarlett couldn’t help the smile curlingher lips “No” Her smile faded “Is everyone talkingabout the the murder? I don’tknowifIcanfacethat.”
Was itpossible thatdespite whathadhappenedthe daybefore,these people still wantedher intheir lives? After all the rejection Scarlett had experienced, it was hard to believe that she wasn’t on the cusp of being abandoned again Hard to believeherfriendsactuallywantedtokeepheraround.
The thought ofCamilla waitingfor her gave Scarlett courage; she might as well go give her statement and thenreward herselfwithwaytoomanypastriesafterward.
Theyhungup,andScarlettbusiedherselfgettingready Sheblow-driedherhair,didherskincareandmakeuproutines,then chose a cute,fall-appropriate outfit.She wore darkjeans thathuggedher curves alongwitha blacklacycamisole under her favoriteoversizedcardigan Fallmeantlayers,andlayerswerewonderful
Shealwaysworehergrandmother’samethystnecklace theonlyitemshehadthatprovedshe’dhadfamilysomewhere,at some point buttodayshe’d added two other delicate gold chains and a pair ofchunkygold hoop earrings. Her armor was made ofbeautiful things Feelingprettywouldn’t stop a bullet, but it did make it easier for Scarlett to face the world She slippedherfeetintoblackanklebootsandputherpeacoaton.
Drapingher scarfover her neck, she leftthe jacketand scarfopenuntil she could tell how cold itwas outside, and she openedthedoor.
Archer stood on her stoop, his finger extended toward the doorbell In his other hand, he carried two coffees from Camilla’sbakery.
But if she did that, she crossed a line If she crossed that line, Archer would eventuallyget bored and leave Not only wouldthatbedisastrousforScarlett’sheartandmindandsoul,butitwouldalsocauseariftintheirfriendgroup.Scarlett’s friendsweretheonethingholdinghertogether;Camilla’sphonecallwastheonlyremindersheneeded
“None so far.” His eyes glimmered as he smiled ather again, and another thrill ranthroughScarlett’s gut. ThenArcher curledhisfingersaroundherelbowtoguideheraroundapuddleonthesidewalk,andthethrillbecamemoreviolent.Italmost became a throb The man had his fingers pressed into her jacket- and cardigan-clad elbow, and that was enough to make Scarlett’sthighstremble.
Shedefinitelyshould’veimaginedMagnus
He dropped his arm and drank his coffee once they’d cleared the puddle, oblivious to the explosions happening in Scarlett’snetherregions.Themanwasmadeofmuscleandcharisma.Itwasprobablyautomatictodoagentlemanlythinglike makesureshedidn’tstepinapuddleofdirtywater.Itdidn’tmeananything.
“How do youfeel aboutgoingto give a statementtoday?” Archer asked, and, yep confirmed. Scarlett’s nether regions hadn’tbeenonhismindatall
How did shefeel?Shetookasipofherdrinkwhileshetriedtodecide.Shewassonervousshewantedtopuke,forone. ShewasstillreelingfromthesightofEthelonhershopfloorthenightbefore ShewasdisproportionatelyrelievedthatArcher wasbesideher.Noneofthoseoptionsseemedquiteappropriatetosay,soshesettledon,“Ithinkifwetellthetruth,everything willbeokay.”
Archerhummed
“YouthinkIsoundnaive?”
“Ijusthopeyou’reright,”hereplied
Shedidn’thavethechancetorespond,however,becauseacarscreechedtoastopnexttothem.Archerthrewouthisarm to catchScarlettaround the stomachand shove her behind him, thenletouta harshcurse His shoulders were broader than she’drealized.Shehadtotakeafullstepsidewaystobeabletoseewhowasinthecar.
“Great Everyone thinks we did it,” Scarlett mumbled, glancing at Archer His jaw was tight as he watched the car disappeararoundacorner,hisshouldershikedupnearhisears.Whenhefinallymethergaze,Scarlettsaid,“Yourbrother?”
Some kind of deep existential crisis happened withinArcher, and thenhe sighed. “Fine.” He pulled out his phone and tappeditafewtimesbeforeputtingittohisear “Happybirthday,Mom”
Scarletttooka few steps awayto give himsome semblance ofprivacy, sippingher coffee, watchinga womantryingto wranglehertoddlerwhowashell-bentonclimbingawrought-ironfenceseparatinghimfromapondfullofducksontheother side.Thetoddlerwaswinning.
ScarlettglancedbacktoseeArcher withhis headtiltedback,eyes closed,total exasperationwrittenineverylineofhis body Hisphonedangledfromhishandathisside,andawoman’svoiceblaredfromit Hebroughtthephonebackuptohis ear,listenedforamoment,thensaid,“Okay.I’llseeyouthisafternoon.Happybirthday.”
After he hungup, Archer stood staringathis phone screenfor a longmoment For a manwho had aneasysmile and an addictivecharm,helookedremarkablyupset.Someold,oldhurtwascarvedintohisfeatures,andthesightofitmadeScarlett acheforhim
Therewerelayerstothismanthatsheneverwould’veguessedexisted.She’dthoughthewaslikeherex,likeallthemen that had come and gone in her life: a bit of a playboy, a bit selfish, mostly out for himself. She’d judged him, and it was uncomfortable to thinkthatmaybe she’d had itall wrong Whatifhe was one ofthe mythical good ones, butshe’d losther chanceateverhavinghim?
Theyentered together and walked up to the uniformed officer atthe frontdesk Notlongafter, theywere led to separate rooms.Scarlettsatonherownforwhatseemedlikeaneternitybutwasprobablyonlyhalfanhourorso.Weretheytalkingto Archerfirst?Wasthisascaretactic?Becauseitwasworking
Then Detective Holden walked in with a female officer that sometimes bought flowers from Scarlett. Her name was Chrissy,andshewasnormallyasmiley,warmwoman Today,herfacecouldhavebeenhewnfromstone
Thedetectivestatedthedateandtime,andthentheinterviewstarted.Scarlettansweredtheirquestionswithasmuchdetail as she could. She told the truth: they’d leftaround sunset, she’d seenthe silver car, they’d turned the corner and noticed the smashedglass Sheestimatedthetimebetweenseeingthesmashedglassandcallingthepolicetobelessthanfiveminutes
The two of themseemed exhausted and stressed. They’d probably worked all night. Still, there was a certain look in DetectiveHolden’seyeswhenhestaredatScarlettthatmadeherhavetofocusveryhardnottofidget “CanyougivemeareasonwhyMs.Brownwouldhavewantedtobreakintoyourflowershop?”heasked. Scarlettspreadherhands “Ihavenoidea I’veneverseenorspokentoherbefore” “Butyourfriendshave.”
