Page 49 of Watch Me

His mouth hung open slightly. “You have a daughter in college?”

“I do.”

“Are you sure? You don’t look old enough,” heteased.

I chuckled. “I am. Had her a year after college.”

“Wow. I would have never guessed.”

I nodded and put the top slice of bread on each sandwich.

“How long have you and Ethan been together?”

“This time around?” I wasn’t sure if Jessica knew that I was Ethan’s first—well, first everything—but since Braeden asked, I made sure to tell him. I handed him a plate with his sandwich on it and a small pack of plain potato chips.

“Thistime?” He took the plate and chips fromme.

I grinned—a full-on Cheshire Cat grin—and grabbed Coke Zeros from the fridge. “We were high school sweethearts.”

“Really?”

I slid onto the barstool next to him and handed him his soda. “Yep.” There was a slight pause as we both opened our chips and sodas, and took a few bites of our sandwiches.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” Officer Beltinquired.

Not at all. Please tell your wife.“I went off to college in California, and he stayed here. Long distance didn’t work out.” Of course, I didn’t want to tell him the exact truth, but what I’d said was partially true. If Ethan and I had been in the same town, I probably would have never gone to that stupid party, or at least not withouthim.

“California? When did you move back?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” I teased, hoping to pretend I wasn’t loving being grilled about myrelationship.

He chuckled and took a bite of his sandwich. “Hazard of the job. Sorry.”

“I’m kidding.” I grinned and took a bite of my own sandwich. “I moved back a couple of months ago, and things rekindled after he came into the bar I work at.”

“Which bar?”

“Judy’s, just down the street.”

“Oh yeah. I know it. Cool place.” He took anotherbite.

“It is. Ethan’s sister met her husband there, and now Ethan and I are back together. It’s magical or something.”

“Ah, yes, I knew about his sister and Rhys Cole.”

“Oh yeah?”

“My wife is …” He rubbed the back of his neck. “My wife is friends with Ethan’s ex-wife, so I hear all the gossip.”

No shit?“Really?” Ismiled.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I’m sorry for asking all the questions. My wife texted me to find out the dirt so she can tell Jessica.”

“Dirt?” I slipped a few chips into mymouth.

“They want to know what you’re like.”

I took a sip of my drink. “And what am I like?”