Page 5 of The Murder Club

“You’ll soon discover that you’ll see everyone’s face in Pike. It’s too small to avoid people,” she warned him.

“Sounds cozy.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Sometimes too cozy.”

Dom had spent the past nineteen years living in cities. First Hollywood and now Vegas. Before that, however, he’d moved from one small village to another in France. He understood what it was like living in a place with neighbors who knew everything about everyone.

There was a loud cheer from the back of the room, no doubt in reaction to the football game that was on the large TV near the bar. At the same time, the waitress arrived at their table carrying a tray with two beer bottles.

“Here you go.”

Setting down a beer in front of Dom, the waitress turned toward Bailey even as her gaze remained locked on him in blatant curiosity. Predictably, her distraction led to disaster as she tipped the tray to the side, toppling off the bottle. Bailey managed to grab it before it could shatter, but beer sprayed over the table and into Bailey’s lap. The waitress gasped, her face turning beet red as she grabbed the towel she had tucked in her apron and tried to mop up the mess.

“Sorry, sorry.”

“No worries, Nicole.” Bailey grabbed the towel before the woman could cause more damage and sent her a reassuring smile. “I got this if you want to grab me a new beer.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks, Bailey.” Nicole rushed away, obviously mortified by her clumsiness.

Dom’s attention remained fixed on Bailey as she calmly wiped up the beer before tossing the towel on the empty seat across the table and pulling a packet of wet wipes out of her purse.

“I can tell you’re a nurse,” he murmured in appreciation.

Bailey had mentioned her job when they’d been toasting marshmallows at the prewedding party. He’d already suspected that she worked in a career that centered on caring for other people.

She sent him a puzzled glance. “Why do you say that?”

“Dealing with a problem without making a fuss.”

She shrugged. “Nicole just started.”

“Not everyone is so forgiving.”

“Accidents happen.” She dabbed at her wet jeans before tucking the wipes back into her purse. Then, settling back in her chair, she sent him a wry smile. “And in her defense, I think she was distracted.”

She was clearly referring to the way the waitress had been staring at him. Dom hid a smile. Good. She’d noticed.

“I suppose a stranger is going to attract attention in Pike.”

“The attention wasn’t because you’re a stranger.” She wrinkled her nose as she glanced down at her damp jeans. “But I am going to have to take a shower when I get home.”

Dom’s interest in Bailey Evans had been stirred from the moment they’d been introduced and intensified during the wedding festivities. Still, he’d known there was a chance he would be disappointed when he returned to Pike. People were usually different at parties than their normal, day-to-day self.

But not Bailey. She was the same genuine, kindhearted woman he remembered.

Determined to spend the next couple of weeks getting to know Bailey better, Dom first needed to make sure that she wasn’t in a relationship. Lia claimed that her friend was single, but she also admitted that she hadn’t had much time to spend with her lately. It was possible that Bailey had started dating someone without Lia knowing.

“I think you mentioned that you live at your grandmother’s house?” he asked.

A cloud passed over the delicate features before she nodded. “Yes, she left it to me when she passed away a few years ago.”

“Alone?”

It wasn’t subtle. But Dom wasn’t subtle. His father was a charming, worthless con artist who wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him on the ass. Dom prized truth above all things.

“All alone.” She paused. “Unless you count Bert and Ernie.”

Dom’s stomach muscles tightened, as if preparing for a blow. “Friends?”