Page 5

I pick up a knife to cut it open and butter it when Elle’s gaze meets mine.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill you with this knife,” I say with a wink.

She smiles sheepishly, and I swear her cheeks color pink. It’s only a subtle change, but noticeable, nonetheless.

Maggie throws us a questioning look while pouring three cups of coffee. “Kill her?”

Elle laughs. “Yeah, I got a bit paranoid when you didn’t show up at the airport. I thought your brother was a creep on the hunt for a new victim. I might’ve asked an older couple to pretend to be my parents so I could get away from him.”

Maggie snorts, her coffee spilling from her mouth. “You didn’t.”

“I’m afraid so. Seriously, I acted like a complete fool. I was surprised your brother still wanted to take me home after that.” Elle snorts with laughter, making me laugh as well. I appreciate a girl who doesn’t take herself too seriously.

“If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have met my beast,” I tease. “I couldn’t let you miss out on that opportunity, now could I?”

Maggie’s eyes grow wide. “Met your what now?”

I shrug as I tuck into my buttered croissant. “I’m not the kind of guy who blabs about that kind of stuff, sis, you know that.”

She gives me a syrupy-sweet look. “Did you show Julie your beast yesterday?”

“Not this again,” I say, hoping she won’t push the issue, but of course my sister never knows when to stop meddling.

She turns her attention to Elle. “Colton went on a date yesterday. I just know they hit it off, right, Co?”

I shake my head. “Nothing happened. Nothing will happen, sorry.”

Maggie’s delighted look falters. “Why not?”

“I told you before you set me up with her. She’s not my type. We’ve got nothing in common. She even thought I dress like Prince Charming outside of work. Like… come on. That’s ridiculous.”

“What? So just because she doesn’t know about your clothing preferences, you write her off?”

I put my food down and sigh. “You know that’s not it.”

“I’m sorry, but who is Prince Charming and why are you wearing his clothes to work?” Elle asks.

“I work as Prince Charming at the amusement park.”

Her mouth drops open. “The Magic Wonderland? Where I used to spend all of my summers?”

“Bingo.”

She snickers. “And this girl thought you dress like him… for real?”

“See?” I ask, looking at Maggie. “Elle gets what I mean.”

“Fine. There are other girls you can date. Ones who have a sense of what’s normal and what isn’t. In fact, this girl at work would be perfect for you. I can set you up with her this weekend,” she says, already swiping and typing on her phone.

I hold my hands up. “Maggie, stop, please. You’re portraying me as some sort of player or serial dater.”

“You did go on a lot of dates the past few months.”

“Only because you set me up every single time,” I say in a voice that’s louder than I meant it to be. “If it were up to me, I’d stop dating altogether. At least, as long as I’m still around. I don’t want to spend the time I have left here trying to find a girl.”

Elle’s jaw drops. “The time you have left? What do you mean? Are you dying?”

“No, I mean as long as I’m still in Summerville Creek,” I say with a chuckle. “Of course, with that beast of mine, I do live on the edge.”