She’s also got me thinking about whether it might be time to forgive Tricia.
That was one powerful email. Holland has no idea what he’s missing out on.
I give the noodles a stir, and there’s silence on the line between Collin and me. I can tell he’s grinding his teeth.
“Stop that,” I say. “Your dentist isn’t going to be pleased with you.”
I hear him rub the stubble of his five o’clock—or, as it were, ten o’clock—shadow.
“My dentist is the least of your concerns. Does your doctor know your diet consists of one food group—preservatives?”
“That’s beside the point.”
“That is the entire point.”
I drain the noodles, grateful to be back to a less weighty topic of conversation.
“How’s Holland’s girlfriend?”
“Fine.”
“Fine? That’s all you can give me?”
I shrug, though Collin can’t see me. “Yeah, I mean she’s normal. Nice.”
“A change of pace for Holland.”
I grunt. My brother has a history of dating loose cannons. “Poppy is different, from what I can tell. Holland asked me to show her around, but I’m still getting to know her.”
Collin laughs at that.
“What?” I say, mixing in the cheese powder and trying not to think about it.
“Nothing. You aren’t the first person I’d choose to be a part of the Cashmere Cove welcoming committee, that’s all.”
“Don’t underestimate me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Collin deadpans. “I’d like to meet her sometime. She has a sister, right?”
“Two of them, from what I gather. Only one’s in town.”
“Maybe you can set me up.”
“Lou already called dibs, and I don’t condone any of this. I draw the line at playing matchmaker—especially for you, Mr. Serial Dater.”
Before Collin can answer, a scream pierces the silence of my apartment from through the wall. On its heels is another scream in a different register. The yelling continues. It’s high-pitched and continuous.
“What was that? Mack?” Collin’s cop senses are firing.
“I’ve got to go. Something’s wrong at Poppy and Rose’s.”
“Mack! Do you need me?”
“I don’t know. I’m going next door.”
“Wait for me. You have no idea what’s happening over there.”
The screams are intensifying now. My mind is flying to worst-case scenarios. Did someone break in? Are the Kasper sisters in danger?
