Page 161 of Liar's Point

“You know I will.”

***

Nicole elbowed her way through the crowd. Between the tourist season ramping up and a Sunday-night basketball game, Finn’s was packed. She spied Kyle and Calvin at the pool table in back.

But no Emmet.

Her stomach tightened with disappointment. She hadn’t heard from him since this afternoon when they’d traded text messages. He’d told her he had some stuff to take care of this evening, but he’d try to call later. She’d thought he meant family stuff, because he’d been vague about it, but now Calvin was here, so she didn’t know what to think.

“Nik.”

She turned around, and Kate was waving at her from a booth across the bar. Nicole walked over and slid into the seat beside Siena.

“We ordered you a margarita,” Kate said.

“Thanks.”

Nicole didn’t really want a margarita. But she also didn’t want to raise a bunch of questions with Kate.

“Where’s Emmet?” Siena asked.

“Working, I think,” Nicole said.

Kate frowned. “You think?”

Nicole grabbed the plastic menu from the end of the table. “Yeah, today was crazy busy. I haven’t really talked to him.”

She skimmed the menu, and when she glanced up, Kate and Siena were eyeing her with concern.

“Everything okay?” Kate asked.

“Sure. Why?”

The server walked over, saving Nicole from more questions.

“I’ll have your wings, please,” she told her.

“Make that two orders,” Kate said.

The server jotted it down and walked away.

“Mind if I scoot out to go to the restroom?” Siena said. “No fair gossiping without me.”

When she was gone, Kate turned to Nicole. “Okay, what’s the deal?”

“What deal?”

“You’ve been dodging my calls all week, and now you’re upset. What’s up with Emmet?”

“I told you. He’s working.”

Kate just stared at her.

And this was why Nicole had been reluctant to come out tonight. It was impossible to be around her sister and fake it.

“He’s, I don’t know, acting weird lately,” Nicole said.

Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Weird how?”

---