Page 21 of Don't Regret Me
“The Cracked Spine.”
It was still relatively new in Gulf City, but the Cracked Spine and Brew was one of Liz’s favorite places. Half of the building was the best indie bookstore around, while the other half was a brewery. She could grab a bite to eat and read to her heart’s content when she needed to disappear.
The place was crowded when they arrived, but they managed to find a table in the back. The bookstore was dark, having closed for the night, but there were literary references in each beer description, each delicious dish.
Angelina, the owner, stood behind the bar, a grin on her face.
Laughter surrounded them, just what Liz had needed. She couldn’t shake off the hope she’d felt upon seeing Nick recognize her.
Jasmine looked at her phone, tapping the screen. “Uh, Liz, what’s this? My brother just sent it to me.”
Liz took the phone, finding herself watching her epic tirade right in the middle of the restaurant.
“Apparently it’s all over social. Something you forgot to tell me?”
“That happened like an hour ago. How is it already out there?” Heat crept into her cheeks as she heard the words that had left her mouth. Yeesh, she’d been harsh.
“People move fast.” Jasmine was grinning now. “This is really you, right? I’m not imagining it?”
Liz pushed the phone back across the table. “Sure is. Just another day in the life of Liz Ross making a fool of herself.”
“No, not a fool. You’re my new hero.”
“Then, you need to meet more people.” Liz raised a hand to flag down a waitress. “Two literary masterpieces, please.” It was the only beer she really enjoyed—a wheat beer with citrus notes. She needed something to distract her from the mess she’d made.
The mess she always made.
A voice from the table beside them made her turn. She didn’t recognize the young man, but his words…
“I worked for Nick Jacobs.” His friends didn’t look impressed, but the dude didn’t know when to stop. “Even had a thing with his wife.”
The men surrounding him walked off, shaking their heads.
Liz met Jasmine’s eye, and both of them slid off their high chairs simultaneously.
“Hello there, handsome.” Jasmine cranked up her immeasurable charm as she took a seat across from the man.
“Did we hear you worked for Nick Jacobs?” Liz covered her mouth as if that was the most exciting thing she could imagine.
It had been so long since they had any sort of lead in figuring out what really happened to Nick, and this guy might be lying, but they had to know.
The man smiled like he’d just won the jackpot. “We worked so closely he considered me a good friend.”
Liz held out a hand. “My name is Liz.” She smiled shyly. “I’d love to hear more about it.”
Jasmine followed her lead, leaning close to Liz. “We both would.” Her long, dark lashes fluttered against her cheeks.
“Franklin.” He placed a kiss on the back of Liz’s hand, and she had to work to keep herself from cringing. There was something about this man she didn’t like.
“Well, Franklin, tell us everything about Nick’s time here in Gulf City.” Liz dipped her head. “Please.” She wasn’t used to flirting and wasn’t any good at it, but she had the master at her side.
Franklin couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Jasmine. She didn’t offer a hand or many words, but she spoke with her eyes. It was a skill Liz wished she too possessed.
“I did everything for him.” Franklin started on a long and boring story about getting coffee, going to the dry cleaners, and scheduling cars. It wasn’t what they wanted to know.
“What about the accident?” Jasmine asked, her eyes bright. “Was it true he was on drugs most of the time while working on the movie?”
Franklin didn’t answer right away. He shifted in his seat, his eyes growing colder. “I—” A fist flew out of nowhere, knocking him from his chair. He screamed as he hit the ground, and Liz turned just fast enough to see the assailant hurrying out through the double doors.
