Page 53 of Falling for the Wrong Guy

Aria

Isla had really saved the day. Ava and Layla joined us after the lunch hour, and the four of us sat down to a big plate of fries and iced tea. It was always such a bonus to have my sisters nearby when I was feeling down. I’d convinced myself that a busy breakfast and lunch rush would wipe away the pain I was feeling from this morning. All of it still weighed heavy on my mind. I still felt it through my entire body.

My sisters were good not to bring up the subject.

Layla dipped a fry in ketchup. “Ella said there were some scary men down on the beach last night. So creepy.” She turned to me. “What were they looking for?”

“I’m not sure it’s my place to say.”

Layla sat up straighter and gave me a head tilt. “Seriously? You don’t live in the cottage, remember? What if they wander up the path and start knocking on the glass door?” She shivered once. “Remember that time we thought there was a murderer down on the beach?”

Ava laughed. “That was on you, Layla. You told everyone you saw a man with an ax propped on his shoulder.”

“How was I to know it was only a beach umbrella? The light hit it just right, and he was kind of hunched and grizzled looking. Like that troll you used to tell us was living down in the basement.”

Isla turned to me. “Some of that was on you—you and your troll friend. What was his name?”

I laughed. “Jasper, and he had a penchant for Oreo cookies.” I thought back to those stormy nights, usually when I was particularly fed up with my four younger sisters, and I convinced them a grizzled, old troll lived in our cellar. They’d huddle together and stand in front of the cellar door with Nonna’s wooden spoons and ladles. Nonna would frown at me, but she’d let me continue with the stories, I think because she knew sometimes being the oldest was hard.

“Right, Jasper.” Layla shivered again. “Well, I’m not sure if our wooden spoons will do the trick if those guys find their way to the cottage.”

“Hopefully, they’ve exhausted the search down on the beach,” I said. “Still, maybe I should come sleep on the couch for a few nights.”

“There’s no way to sleep on that couch,” Layla said. “I’ve tried many times whenever El is burning the midnight oil working on her book. We’ll be fine. Ava’s home now.”

“Well, then I guess you don’t need your big sister after all.”

Isla poured herself another glass of tea from the pitcher. “Luke is going out of town for business, so I’ll be home, too.” Isla covered a yawn. “Oh my gosh, I hadn’t expected to work today. I’ve been up since three in the morning. I’m going home to sleep.”

“I appreciate it so much, Isla.” I hugged her. “I don’t think I could have done it without you today.”

“Ava and I walked here, so we’re going to ride home with you, Isla. It’s getting cold and cloudy out, and I only wore a sweatshirt.”

Layla was right. The day had started with a thin fog that cleared the way for a bright blue sky. A heavy layer of rain clouds had settled over the town. It almost looked dark outside the café windows.

“You better hurry home, too,” Isla said to me. “Looks like a downpour is on the way.”

“Just have some things to finish, then I’ll head out.”

Isla took hold of my hand and gave it a sisterly squeeze. “Terrible couch or not, maybe you should come spend the night. We could make popcorn and watchFriendsfor the millionth time.”

“Thanks, La, but I think I’ll head home after work, curl up on the couch and get lost in a book. I wouldn’t be great company tonight.”

My sisters walked out as I returned to the kitchen. There were still a few things to finish before I could go home for the night. I filled a bucket with sanitizing solution so I could wipe down the work counter and appliances. I heard the front door open and close. I’d forgotten to lock up after my sisters.

I put down the bucket. “I’m sorry. We’re closed for the day.” My words trailed off and ended with a gasp. It was the two men who’d scared me back up to the cottage the night before. They were easy to recognize with their swaggering movements and sneering grins.

The big one wore a leather coat and had a deep scar on his jaw. His friend was slighter in stature, but his small eyes were set deep beneath a mean scowl.

“Well, look here, Jack, the mermaid owns the café.”

Jack’s nostrils flared as he looked me up and down. “We’re hungry.”

“I’m sorry. It’s after hours. There are a few restaurants a couple miles up the highway. You can’t miss them.” I spoke lightly as if these were just regular ole customers who walked in too late to be served. But there was nothing regular about them. And they ignored everything I said.

“The door was open.” The big one walked to a table, yanked the chair out, sat down and stretched out his long legs. His big, heavy boots looked like they could kick someone’s head clear off their shoulders. Jack circled around and pulled out a chair.

“I didn’t get a chance to lock it. The stove and oven have been shut down.” I tried to sound sure of myself, but my insides were churning like a smoothie in a blender.

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