Page 11 of A Little Twist
“Which are?” I lean on my elbow, hungry to know more about the beauty who haunted my teenage dreams for too long.
“Babies.” Britt leans forward on the bar a little too fast.
It catches me completely off guard, and I huff a laugh as I straighten. “I’m sorry… What?”
“Good lord, Britt.” Another flush of pink stains Cass’s soft cheeks. Shaking her head, she holds up a hand. “What she means is, I’ve loved the jobs when I’m working with children the most. I’m just not certified to teach, and baby dance classes don’t pay the bills.”
“Ah, that’s right, you taught my daughter ballet lessons. Was that two years ago?” Damn, my head was so far up my ass in those days.
If we’re talking eras, I was in my “success only comes before work in the dictionary” era, and I busted my ass twenty-four seven.
My primary focus was on breaking Stone Cold into the high-class world of premium spirits, and if it weren’t for Mom’s help, I’m not sure how I would’ve done it with Pinky only two and a half years old.
As it is, the distillery broke through, and now we’re all doing very well.
“She was adorable, and a natural little dancer, too.” Cass’s eyes are warm, and the genuine affection in her tone hits me unexpectedly.
Shit, maybe my teenage infatuation isn’t as dead as I’d like it to be.
“If I remember correctly, she really liked your classes. She talked about you nonstop.” My eyes trace her hair as I remember my little girl saying Wonder Woman taught her class.
“Where is she now?”
“Sleepover at a friend’s. They’re doing a little spa birthday party or something.”
“Say less!” Britt cries. “I want to have a little girl so much.”
“They sent us pictures.” I turn my phone so they can see my curly-haired cherub lying on her back on a palette surrounded by other little girls doing the same. Her stuffed piglet doll is under her arm.
“She’s adorable!” Cass coos.
“Where are Piglet’s cucumbers?” Britt teases.
“He probably ate them.” Cass laughs, and our eyes connect once more, holding a moment longer.
I don’t know if my vision is still clouded by our afternoon encounter or if it’s the sweet things she’s saying about my daughter, but it feels different, unique in a way that makes me hesitate. It makes me run my eyes over her hair and her cheekbones, the tip of her nose and her lips.
I feel Britt looking back and forth between us, and I shut it down, tucking my phone in my pocket. “I think it’s time to call it a night, yes?”
The last thing I need is my tipsy sister-in-law picking up on any nascent chemistry between Cass and me.
“Morning does come early.” Britt slides off her stool, and her shift in tone eases the concern in my chest. “I’ve got to be at the courthouse bright and early with the sheriff, aka, my future husband.”
She trills out the last bit, and Cass slides off her stool with a grin, taking her friend’s arm. “Any hot cases you can share with us?”
“Not really.” Britt shrugs. “It’s pretty quiet, other than the mysterious sign poster. I think it’s all pretty harmless, but after what happened last year, Aiden wants to get to the bottom of who’s doing it.”
“He’s not planning to press charges, is he?”
“I don’t think so…” Britt tilts her head to the side. “I hope not!”
I’m walking behind them, my blazer over my arm as I hit the lights on the way out, and I don’t miss a wobble in their step. “How are you two getting home?”
“I rode my bike,” Britt announces brightly. “Your mom said I could have it now that I’m days away from being a member of the family.”
She’s already family in my mind, and I catch her arm. “It’s too late for bike riding. I’m giving you both a ride home. Aiden would have my hide if I didn’t, and I’d let him.”
They don’t argue—Britt even giggles something like consent, and we walk to my burgundy Tesla parked in a reserved space. With a touch we’re on the road, and it only takes five minutes before I’m pulling into Aiden’s driveway.