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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

SUTTON

“Why do we even have to go to this?” Laurel asked with as much teenage attitude as she could muster.

“Because it’ll be nice to see what this town is all about. And because Quinn invited me.”

“So, how about you just go with Quinn? I’ll stay here and continue marinating in the existential dread that is my life.”

“Have you thought about looking into drama classes?” I said before tossing over her favorite hoodie—which happened to be my favorite hoodie.

“We never did shit like this in Atlanta.”

“That’s funny. I don’t ever recall Atlanta having an adult-book-fair-slash-ice-cream-social. Must have missed the memo.”

She heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes.

“Whatever, this is dumb.”

“Noted. Now, get your ass in the car.” I tugged on a sweater before grabbing my purse.

“And next time, be a little bit more grateful that I gave you my favorite hoodie instead of taking it for myself.”

“ Your hoodie?” she asked incredulously.

“Um, excuse you, this is mine. You always steal it.”

“Okay, you’re clearly suffering from delusions. And what better way to fix that than a change of scenery?” I opened the front door and gestured her out.

She hesitated only a moment before rolling her eyes with a huff.

Still, she tugged on the hoodie before heading to the car, and I counted that as a win.

I drove us toward the quaint downtown I’d only seen in passing.

Surprisingly, the pictures didn’t do it justice.

Not only did it feel like we’d stepped into Stars Hollow, but it also felt like the culmination of every small-town Hallmark movie ever created.

Various shops and businesses ran along Main Street, their brick facades and flower boxes at every window only adding to the charm.

Vintage-style streetlights lit the way, along with the twinkle lights woven into each tree along the sidewalks.

After I found a parking space, Laurel and I headed in the direction of the festivities, following the crowd.

“Tell me how your first week has been.” I bumped my shoulder into hers.

“Have you made any friends?”

“Tons,” she deadpannned.

“That’s why I’m on the couch every night scrolling on my phone.”

Laurel’s favorite defense mechanism was sarcasm—something she came by honestly—so I knew this was hard for her.

I’d known it would be.

I remembered what it was like to be sixteen.

Although our circumstances were vastly different, the core story was still true.

She was trying to figure out who she wanted to be in the world, and friends were a big part of that journey.

I hated that I’d had to sever the bonds she’d been developing, but it was unavoidable.

“Okay…well, are there any boyfriends or girlfriends on the horizon?”

“Pretty hard to do when this entire school is less than half the size of my old class.”

I blew out a heavy sigh.

“Lolo, I get this is difficult, and I’m sorry. But whether you like it or not, we’re here for at least six months. So you can either sulk and be a brat about it the entire time, or you can make the most of it. Maybe make some lifelong friendships and hopefully have a good time while you do it.”

She rolled her eyes, her standard response to absolutely anything I said.

“This isn’t easy for me either, you know. I left good friends, same as you.”

“And don’t forget the boyfriend.”

This time, it was my turn to roll my eyes.

“ Ex -boyfriend. And I’m not at all sad about leaving Doug behind.”

“You never told me what happened with him.”

Maybe because he’d turned into a controlling creep who’d somehow been tracking—without my permission—not just my location, but hers.

Or the fact that one of his colleagues hit on my sixteen-year-old daughter, and he brushed it off like it was no big deal.

But she had enough shit in her life to worry about—this move included—so I didn’t want to pile more on her.

Especially when we didn’t have to worry about him anymore.

“My red-flag detector was faulty.”

She hummed in acknowledgment.

“Besides”—I hooked my arm through hers and tugged her into my side—“I kind of like it when it’s just you and me.”

“That’s because you have an abysmal history with men.” Though her words were sharp, she lessened their potency by leaning her head against mine.

“You should be grateful about that. I’m doing all this for you, you know. So you can learn from my mistakes and not have to make them yourself. You’re welcome.”

She snorted, and I knew that was as close to a laugh as I was going to get.

“So, what are we supposed to do here? Just wander around?”

“I guess? Quinn said there was a book fair, free personal pizzas with a completed book map, and ice cream. And I guess a few of the local businesses have stands set up.”

“Is this something we have to look forward to by living in a small town? Any excuse for a stupid social event?”

“From what Quinn said, yeah, pretty much.”

“God, please don’t tell me you’re going to make me come to all?—”

“Laurel! Hey!” A cute girl with warm brown skin and black hair done up in space buns waved and made her way over to us.

“Friend or foe?” I whispered out of the corner of my mouth.

“Friend, I guess,” Laurel said to me before turning her attention to her friend.

“Hey, Cami.”

Cami grinned, seeming genuinely happy to see my daughter.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“Me neither.” Laurel slid a glance toward me.

“My mom dragged me without consent.”

I waved, smiling brightly.

“Hi, I’m Sutton, the mean mom.”

Cami was shocked for half a second, a look I’d been seeing the entirety of my daughter’s life, before she shot me a smile.

“Hi! My mom’s around here somewhere too.” She glanced down the street before turning back to us with a shrug.

“I think they mostly just hang out at One Night Stan’s, reliving their childhood book-fair days.” Then to Laurel, she said, “It’s so boring. You should come hang out with us.”

I squeezed Laurel’s arm twice, our silent signal asking if she needed my help.

She didn’t squeeze back, so I took that as a good sign.

I turned to her with raised brows.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want you bored out of your mind any more than you already are.”

“Yeah, okay,” Laurel said, stepping toward Cami.

“I guess I can hang out for a while.”

“Keep your phone on,” I said.

“Text me when you’re ready to go.”

“’Kay. Stay sexy and don’t get murdered.”

Cami’s eyes lit up with recognition.

She gripped Laurel’s elbow and shook it as they headed in the opposite direction.

“Oh my god, are you a Murderino?”

A grin curved up the corners of my mouth as I watched them walk away, grateful for this tiny bit of normalcy in my daughter’s life.

She’d been tight-lipped on the details of school life, but it made me feel better to know she had at least one friend her age in this town.

But now that my date had abandoned me, I needed to find something to do while she enjoyed herself for a bit.

I walked down the street, strolling past various storefronts, some of which had tables set up out front with their wares.

Candles, body products, cooking supplies, and?—

I did a double take at the table set up under a tent, a bright-pink glittery sign hanging at the back and sex toys spread out on the table like a buffet.

Holy shit, Quinn hadn’t been joking.

This had to be Mabel.

With my brows raised, I stepped over and said, “So, you really do sell sex toys at any town event.”

“Hush, now,” she hissed at me.

She was an older white woman, anywhere between sixty and eighty.

Her gray hair was curled tightly and cropped close, and she wore a shirt that read I still like to play with toys.

They’re just for grown-ups now .

“These are personal massagers ,” she said loudly enough for any passersby to hear.

Then she braced a hand on the table and leaned closer to me, lowering her voice so it stayed between just the two of us.

“The personal massagers bit is to appease the fuddy-duddies on the town council. But yes, they are sex toys, and I’m happy to help you with whatever you need! I’m Mabel, by the way. And you must be Sutton.”

The shock I felt at having her know who I was must’ve been written across my face, because she shot me a grin.

“There aren’t many secrets in Starlight Cove. I’m in book club with Atlas’s mom. Plus, I had my annual physical yesterday and saw you in passing. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself because I had to get home to George. Our Liberator chair arrived, and I needed to tell him where to put it.”

Holy shit, I wanted to be her when I grew up.

“Good for you. Anything that makes positions a bit easier, am I right?”

She grinned broadly before resting a hand on my arm.

“I wanted to tell you I’m sorry we couldn’t host you in our home like we did for Quinn when she moved back into town. But George and I decided we wanted to have a bit more fun with the space.”

With the way she said “fun,” I had no doubt she was talking about sexy-time fun.

And honestly, good for her.

I loved seeing an older queen getting hers.

Between these toys and her new Liberator, her house was going to be rocking, and I, for one, didn’t want to get in the way.

“I hope that cottage of Atlas’s is treating you right,” she said with a wink.

“Though I’m sure he’s taken care of you nicely.”

I narrowed my eyes at the unmistakable sexual undercurrent in her tone.

Something I wanted to clear up real quick—never mind that it was true.

As far as I was concerned, that had happened in a different lifetime.

Both of us had hit the restart button when we’d walked away from that hotel room.

And the last thing I needed was rumors about the new single mom in town climbing the brick wall.

“Not gonna lie, Mabel, he’s been challenging.” I eyed her collection spread out in between us.

“And I think a new toy for a new town is exactly what I need. Tell me, which is your favorite?”

Fifteen minutes later, I left Mabel and strolled off with a brand-new Pussy Destroyer —a clit-slash-G-spot-penetrator combo—clutched in my not-at-all-discreet hot-pink bag.

That woman had a story about everyone.

She should’ve been wearing a crown emblazoned with “Gossip Queen” for all the tea she’d served.

My brain was full of information, and I could definitely say it had been time well spent.

Not only had I found out that there was a website dedicated solely to fanfic written about Starlight Cove’s sheriff, Brady McKenzie, but I also got an invitation to her infamous book club.

While it sounded like fun, I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea for me to be in a book club with the mother of the man whose dick I’d ridden with abandon just last week.

An outdoor area was set up in front of One Night Stan’s, the local bar Mabel had directed me to.

And she’d been right—this seemed like the place to be, with not an open stool in sight.

Fortunately, someone was just leaving as I walked by, so I snagged their spot and settled at the bar.

A guy about my age stood behind it as he served waiting patrons, a dazzling smile on his face the entire time.

I’d worked enough bartending gigs to make ends meet that I had no doubt he was raking in the tips.

With that laugh and those dimples?

Yeah, he was definitely killing it.

“Hey there.” He gave me a quick once-over, one side of his mouth ticking up.

“You’re new.”

I raised my brows.

“How long do I have to be in Starlight Cove before I’m no longer new? It’s been a week already.”

He braced his arms on the bar top and leaned toward me, his eyes sparkling and that dimple popping.

And…damn it all to hell, he did absolutely nothing for me.

There was nary a flutter in my stomach, not a single wisp of interest for this objectively hot man.

That was just fucking great.

Not only had Atlas ruined me for all other mortal men in the dick department, but apparently, I couldn’t even enjoy flirting anymore.

“In this town?” he asked.

“At least a year or two. We don’t get a ton of newcomers other than during tourist season, so it’s going to take a while before the novelty wears off.”

“Great. I love being under the spotlight.”

“Can I get you a drink to dull the beam a bit? First one’s on the house. You know, for being the new girl in town.” He flashed a smile.

“I’m Lincoln, by the way.”

“Sutton.”

“Nice to meet you, Sutton. What brings you to our fine town?”

Before I could respond, Lincoln was yanked back, and in his place was a looming bear of a man—brick wall, indeed.

Atlas glared down at my new friend, irritation written in every coiled inch of his body.

“I thought I told you to quit flirting with the customers.”

“No, you absolutely didn’t. And even if you did, I would’ve ignored it. Flirting’s the best part of my job.” Lincoln shot me a wink, and I couldn’t hope to hide my snort.

This guy was a charmer with a capital C.

“Then go flirt inside,” Atlas bit out, crossing his arms over his chest, those biceps I hated to love showcased clearly even through his hoodie.

“Can’t.” Lincoln shrugged, then spread his arms wide to encompass the outdoor bar.

“This is my domain tonight.”

“Not anymore. I’ve got it.”

Lincoln raised his brows, his gaze darting between Atlas and me.

“You’ve got it? Since when?”

“Since right now.”

“What are you even doing here? You hate this shit. Told me this morning there was—what was it you said?—no amount of money or favors in the world that would get your ass here tonight.”

Atlas’s jaw ticked, irritation rolling off him in waves.

And for once, that irritation wasn’t directed at me.

“Your point?”

“Just wondering what changed, is all.” Lincoln slid his glance toward me, that dimple popping as he offered me a smile before he focused back on Atlas.

“I have a few guesses…”

“Keep them to yourself,” Atlas snapped.

“No one cares.”

“I don’t know… It seems like Sutton might care. Maybe we should ask her.”

“Maybe you should fuck off.”

“Is there, like, an asshole Olympics or something you’re training for?” I asked.

Lincoln barked out a laugh and clapped Atlas on the shoulder.

“See, that’s why I’m in charge out here. You scare all the customers away.” He leaned toward me with a conspiratorial whisper.

“My brother hates all things social. Or, actually, all things, period.”

“Your brother ?” My brows lifted as I split my gaze between them, cataloguing their similarities.

They were both tall, though Atlas was taller.

Broader, too. But they had the same dark hair, the same piercing eyes.

That was where the similarities ended, though.

Atlas’s demeanor screamed fuck off , while Lincoln’s did nothing but invite you in.

“One of ’em.” Lincoln eyed Atlas, something that looked an awful lot like amusement flashing across his face.

“So, believe me when I say he doesn’t usually?—”

Atlas shoved a tray into Lincoln’s stomach, effectively cutting off whatever his brother was about to say.

That only made Lincoln laugh, which, in turn, made Atlas’s scowl deepen.

“Go inside. I’ll handle the bullshit out here.”

Lincoln tilted his head to the side, as if trying to get a read on his brother.

Then he shrugged. “Sure thing, boss.” He walked backward toward the building’s entrance, shooting me a quick smile as he went.

“I’ll let you handle it.”

As soon as Lincoln was inside the bar, I narrowed my eyes at the pain-in-the-ass man in front of me.

“Just to be clear, am I the bullshit in this scenario?”

When Atlas’s only response was a tic of his jaw, I huffed out a laugh and shook my head.

“Right…of course I am. Look, I know you hate that I’m here. But I’m not going anywhere. So, if you could cool it on being a grumpy asshole all the time, that’d be great.”

His nostrils flared, no doubt in response to the confirmation that I was sticking around for the foreseeable future.

Then he braced his hands on the bar top, the move making his muscles bunch and coil and reminding me what a pretty package this jackass was wrapped up in.

“Are you going to order a drink or just waste more of my time?”

Unbelievable .

This motherfucker had some nerve.

I didn’t understand how my initial assumption of him at the hotel could have been so utterly wrong.

“Your brother’s a nice guy.” I grabbed my purse and shopping bag before sliding off my barstool.

I didn’t make it a habit to stay somewhere I wasn’t wanted.

“Too bad it doesn’t run in the family.”