Page 131 of Kiss Marry Kill

“You don’t accidentally put an offer on a property.” Todd was scratching his head. “What is he playing at?”

“He wants to ruin me,” I said. “But I have no idea why.”

“Yes.” Mrs. Numi nodded. “I can see there’s definitely something brewing there.”

“Well, you won, and he didn’t.” Girdy sipped her drink, still fuming.

Todd smiled affectionately at her. “Girdy doesn’t like it when people mess with people she cares about.”

“No, I do not.” Girdy lifted her chin. “Why can’t he just focus on his own life. Why is he such a buttinsky?”

When the door jingled and Royce walked in, I had to stifle the urge to throw myself in his arms. He was a sight for sore eyes, tall and lean, smiling at me as he neared. I grabbed his hand, and he laughed.

“Am I too late to join in the fun?” he asked.

“Nope.” Girdy grinned. “We’re just getting started.”

Mrs. Numi said, “What can I get you, Sheriff?”

Royce eyed my gingerbread martini. “Hmmm, that looks interesting.”

“Do you like gingerbread?” Mrs. Numi asked.

“Does a chicken have a beak?” Royce grinned.

Mrs. Numi turned to Sergio, who had just walked up. “Can we get another gingerbread martini for Sheriff Callum?”

“You got it.” Sergio walked away to make the beverage.

I slipped my arm around Royce’s waist, and he smiled down at me. “This is a nice surprise,” I said. “I was sure you wouldn’t be able to make it.”

“Meh.” He sighed. “I decided I needed to celebrate with my boyfriend. After all, this is a big deal. You actually own a piece of Rainy Dale now, Max.”

I gulped. “I know. It’s astounding.”

Girdy craned her neck in the direction of the dining room. “You just missed the fireworks, Sheriff.”

Royce frowned. “I did?”

Nodding, Girdy said, “River and Lucas walked in just a few minutes before you.”

Royce lifted his brows. “Oh, boy.”

I grimaced. “It wasn’t very eventful. She’s exaggerating.”

“It might have been.” Mrs. Numi scowled. “Luckily, Maxwell didn’t fall into River’s trap.”

“I showed amazing restraint,” I bragged.

Royce’s lips twitched. “Did you?”

“He really did,” Todd said. “I could see the wheels turning. One minute, I thought he’d explode, and the next, he was acting conciliatory toward River. It was an amazing and terrifying transformation.”

Girdy grinned. “It really was. I was impressed, Max.”

I lifted one shoulder. “I have my moments.”

“One thing is for sure,” Mrs. Numi said, “I’ll watch my back where River is concerned. He’s a wily devil.”