Page 36 of Memories By the Shore
I bite the side of my lip and filter through several responses ranging from vague to highly detailed accounts of the last twenty-four hours. “He does.”
“And?” He leans in close. “Have you seen him yet?”
“I have.”
His eyes flicker around the restaurant a few times. “You don’t want to tell me, do you?”
My head falls back, and I let out a heavy sigh. “I went to his office yesterday. Which was interesting because he’s the mayor now.”
Easton crosses his arms and leans over the counter. “I know, right? Crazy to think that happened, but he’s doing really well.”
“I can see that.”
“That doesn’t explain why you’re back,” he presses.
I’m going to give in. Easton can talk Jasper into giving me what I need, so we can both move on with our lives. Jasper’s blowing me off just to piss me off.
I straighten my shoulders and look him in the eyes. “I’m engaged to someone else, and I need him to give me a divorce.”
“Shit, you two are still married?” He arches a brow, but a little smirk is hiding within his smile, telling me he already knew that.
I roll my eyes, picking at the cardboard sleeve on my coffee cup. “Don’t act like you didn’t know.”
“I mean …” Chuckling, he lifts his palms to face upward. “What do you expect? He’s my best friend.”
I release, letting a tight laugh slip through. “I get it, Easton.”
He grabs a towel behind the counter and wipes the espresso machine. “How was the look on his face?”
“You know, he tried to play it cool like my sudden appearance didn’t faze him, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was shocked to see me,” I explain.
“That’s hilarious. I’m kind of hurt he didn’t tell me about it,” Easton jokes.
I glance around the bustling restaurant. “He’s probably been too busy avoiding me.”
“Damn, look at the size of that thing!” a younger server exclaims as she emerges from the kitchen holding my to-go bag. She’s referring to the giant rock on my left finger. Proudly, I raise my hand for her to get a better look. She quickly sets downthe bag and grabs my hand. “Easton, did you see this thing?”
“I saw it,” he responds, keeping his eyes locked on mine. Jasper is his best friend, and I’m sure this stings a little.
“Thank you,” I say to her.
“What did he say when you asked him for the divorce?” He picks up our conversation.
“He basically blew me off.”
A sly smile inches across Easton’s face. “I would have guessed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, frustrated. “Doesn’t he want to move on with his life?”
“You’d think so? But I’m not always sure I understand what goes on in his head. I do know that he’s going to make you work for it.”
I roll my eyes, slipping my arm through the loops in the brow bag. “I’m going to go before the food gets cold. Nice seeing you, Easton. Thanks for breakfast.”
Now, I’m not only starving and in need of more coffee, but I’m actually wondering if it’s too early for whiskey. I need to head back to the beach house and regroup. I’m sure the girls will give me some advice.
“It was good seeing you, too, Arizona.” He forces a smile. “How long will you be in town for?”
Grinning, I pop off the stool. “As long as it takes for Jasper to give me a divorce.”
