AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Got to. I start a new assignment early tomorrow.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling my attention away for a moment. Aiden’s name lit up the screen.
Aiden: Almost done. Is the party over?
Stella: Just about. Sorry you missed it.
As I typed back, a spark of an idea ignited. Looking up at Hunter, I said, “Why don’t you do your snooping while I help clean up here? We can meet up with Aiden at Sweet Dreams for dessert afterward. You can leave for home from there.”
He considered it for a brief moment, then nodded. “Sure. It’ll give me a chance to grill your boyfriend.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Don’t be an ass. I hate the word boyfriend. We’re both in our mid-thirties, for God’s sake. See you in a bit.”
He gave me a wave. As he walked away, I watched him go. His tall, athletic frame moved down the hill, and he was ever watchful as he assessed the scene before him. There was something reassuring about having him back, even if just for a fleeting moment. With a satisfied sigh at an important mission accomplished, I turned to help clean up the party.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Stella
“As a trained professional, I declare this mango cake divine.” I tried to hold back a moan, but I might not have been successful given the side-eye Aiden shot me. At Sweet Dreams, the outdoor tables lining the sidewalk were prime real estate for indulging in culinary and sensory delights. The perfectly tropical weather we’d had for the pool party continued as I found myself next to Aiden, with Hunter across from us. Inside, Liv’s employees did an admirable job holding down the fort without her.
We sat under the covered canopy of pink and white. Ornamental streetlamps added to the charm, their antique design reminiscent of a time when life moved slower, more deliberately. Next to us, hanging flower baskets spilled over with vibrant colors, swaying gently in the breeze.
My eyes lingered on Bookshop in Paradise across the street, owned and run by Ben Coleridge’s younger sister, Brenna. Frowning, I sipped my iced coffee, not wanting to ruin my last minutes with Hunter by thinking about our family adversaries.
And despite his warning about grilling Aiden, Hunter hadn’t loomed over him during their first meeting in over fifteen years. At first, Aiden had gaped at the man my little brother had become. I hadn’t been able to hide a grin at his reaction, even though I’d warned him that my brother had filled out quite a bit. Hunter had started out polite, though somewhat cool, and he eyed Aiden levelly. As our little get-together progressed, he relaxed.
I was pleased, and a little proud too. As much as Hunter had changed over the years, I still knew my brother. And he wasn’t finding anything to complain about where Aiden was concerned.
I turned to my… man? I was not going to use the word boyfriend. Partner? No, too committed. And when I beheld his neat, professional appearance after dashing here straight from his clinic, warmth filled my chest. Of course Hunter couldn’t find fault with him. Hunter wasn’t the only one who had changed since leaving our little islands.
“Try this.” Aiden’s fork was poised with a generous bite of carrot cake, the cream cheese frosting perfectly finished. He held it out to me, his eyes dancing.
I obliged, savoring the spicy sweetness of the cake on my tongue, the crunch of walnuts adding depth to every mouthful. “Mmm, that’s incredible.” I glanced at my mango cake, trying to decide which was better, and decided on a draw.
“Liv knows her stuff,” he said with a grin, turning to ask Hunter something.
But Hunter wasn’t paying any attention.
Across the street, Brenna Coleridge unlocked the door to her literary sanctuary. She paused, adjusting a sign by the entrance, her tall, willowy silhouette framed against the soft light within. Her sheet of long, light-brown hair hung down, and I had to admit she was attractive, even if she was a Coleridge. Hunter’s gaze fixated on her and his whole body froze. He became utterly still, watching her every move as she opened the door and disappeared inside.
“Careful, Hunter,” I teased, bumping him with my elbow and bringing him back to the land of baked goods and friendly banter. “What’s that look all about? She’s a Coleridge, remember? I hope you’re not thinking about sleeping with the enemy.”
Hunter’s lips fell into a frown. “Enemy is a strong word, Stella. We haven’t spoken in years.” His voice was carefully even and guarded, but his eyes darted across the street again.
“Weren’t you two in the same grade through school?” Aiden asked him. “Maybe Stella and I weren’t the only teen lovers…”
“It was nothing like that,” Hunter shot back, his eyes glinting with that familiar hint of defiance. “We were only friends. But we were close… once.” Then, in typical Hunter fashion, he took a large bite of his carrot cake slice, staring at his dessert like it could induce a subject change.
“Hey, you okay?” I asked.
He exhaled, long and slow as his eyes took a slow pan around Main Street. “Yeah, it’s just that this place stirs up so many memories. I left here under awful circumstances, and I can’t just turn back the clock.” After another quick glance toward the bookshop, he cut another bite of cake. He seemed a million miles away, lost in a sea of memories that were apparently anything but sunshine and sandcastles.
I caught Aiden’s glance and gave him a subtle head shake. Hunter had dark moments, parts of his past he kept locked away like forbidden treasure. It wasn’t the right time to dredge up whatever history lay buried between Hunter and Brenna Coleridge. Not after he’d already dug through the painful past he shared with Evan. Today, both had appeared on the other side, unscathed.
Instead, I shifted the conversation back to something more enticing for him. “Did you uncover anything during your little resort tour?”
Hunter’s eyes cleared, a spark of interest reigniting within them as he leaned forward. “Right, the thefts. When I looked around, Ben was there with a couple of other landscapers. They were all working on the other side of the resort today.” He snorted. “I’m pretty sure Ben didn’t even recognize me.”
