Cody pushed to his feet. “Get out of my room, you freaks.”
My face went stony. “You’ve got one hour.”
Cody flipped us the bird. “I want to get out of this hick town anyway.”
Walker and I left the room and strode across the parking lot.
Walker paused for a moment, looking back at the motel. “You wanna wait him out? Make sure he leaves?”
“Of course.”
Walker inclined his head. “I’ve got coffee in my truck. I was on my way to the station when Cain called.”
I followed Walker towards his rig. “What I could really use right now is a whiskey.”
Walker chuckled. “That I can’t help you with.”
I climbed into the truck. “Then coffee will have to do.”
Walker poured some of the beverage into the thermos’s cap and handed it to me. “Thanks for handling Ailes.”
The muscles between my shoulder blades tightened. “Of course.”
Walker met my gaze. “Really hear me. It means the fucking world that you care about my sister as much as I do.”
This was it. The perfect moment to tell him that Jensen and I were more than just friends. I opened my mouth to say just that, but my throat held the words hostage.Why couldn’t I tell him?
37
Jensen
“Arthur, you’re a flirt.”I grinned as I counted out my favorite customer’s change.
Arthur gave Kennedy a wink. “Well, what do you expect when you keep hiring gorgeous women?”
Kennedy handed Arthur his muffin. “Anytime you’re ready to propose, I’ll be here waiting.”
Arthur chuckled. “I’d better go get that ring.”
We watched as Arthur walked over to join his bridge cronies. Kennedy sighed. “I love that man. They just don’t make them like that anymore. Did you know that he stayed until closing the other day because there was just one other man in here and he didn’t want me to be alone?”
“He’s a good egg.” I glanced up from the register. “You weren’t uncomfortable working alone, were you?”
Kennedy waved a hand in front of her face. “Not at all. I can take care of myself, but I thought it was sweet of Arthur to be so protective.”
I smiled. “He’s always looking out forhis girls.”
The bell over the door sounded, and my smile stretched wider as Tuck entered. My grin fell as I took in his face. He looked ready to commit murder. I motioned to Kennedy. “Can you handle the register for a minute?”
She straightened from rearranging the bakery case. “Of course.”
I rounded the counter and gestured for Tuck to follow me into the kitchen. As soon as we were inside, I whirled on him. “What’s wrong?”
Tuck ran a hand through his golden locks. “I need to fill you in on some Cody developments.” My stomach pitched. “It’s not a quick conversation. Can you take some time?”
I glanced out into the main room of the shop. The morning rush was over, the bridge crew was settled, and my mom would be in to help out in a couple of hours. “Let me check with Kennedy.” I poked my head around the corner. “Kenz,” I’d given her the nickname a couple days into her job here, Kennedy was just too dang formal. “Are you okay if I head out for a bit? My mom will be here in two hours to help with the lunch rush.”
“Since all the baking is done for the morning, I’ll be fine.” Poor Kennedy still hadn’t quite gotten the hang of baking.
