Page 145 of Rare Blend
When we get there, Elyse is on the phone. As soon as she spots me, she holds up her finger, indicating she needs a minute. The problem is, I don’t think we have a minute.
“Clore County Sheriff’s Department. Open up,” a booming voice yells on the other side of the door with two loud, banging knocks.
Elyse’s eyes nearly bug out of her head as she drops her phone and scurries to the door. She gestures her arm, waving it wildly for me to come with her.
I’m not sure if she’s waving me over because I’m the CEO or because I’m her older brother. Either way, I’m right next to her when she swings it open.
Standing at the entry, we’re met with a deputy sheriff staring back at us.
“We got calls of a noise complaint. Is there a manager I can speak to?”
Elyse crosses her arms and squares her shoulders, not one to shrink under the stare of someone trying to be intimidating. Cop or not.
“Bull fucking shit.”
My entire body freezes. I didn’t expect her to be so abrasive. He’s still a cop. Before I can cut in, she continues.
“Just exactly what are you trying to pull Dominic?”
Dominic?
I look at the deputy again. Really look at him.Shit. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him. I think the uniform threw me off.
“Dom?” Our eyes meet, and he gives me a smirk. “Holy shit, man. I didn’t know you moved back.”
He moves toward me and clasps my hand in a brief shake as he claps me on the back.
“I’ve only been back a few weeks.” His eyes break from mine and go straight to Elyse, who’s still holding her rigid stance. “Hey, Ellie girl.”
Her shoulders tense even more, and her face pinches into a painful expression. “What are you doing here, Dominic? There isn’t really a noise complaint, is there?”
His chin dips, keeping his eyes on Elyse. “No, you got me. I heard it was your parents’ wedding anniversary and wanted to stop by and see everyone.”
“And you thought this stupid charade was the way to go?”
He rubs the back of his neck and tosses Elle a sheepish grin.
I can practically feel the irritation rolling off her, sharp and palpable, as if it could spark the air around us.
Marisa clears her throat, and I glance back at her, catching her eyes swinging like a pendulum between Elyse and Dom, trying to piece it all together.
Nodding my head, I gesture for her to come closer. “Baby, come meet Dom.”
Marisa steps forward and comes around to my side, tucking herself under my arm.
Dom reaches out to shake her hand. “Dominic Alvarez. I grew up here.”
“Marisa, Ethan’s girlfriend.”
Despite the icy air between Elyse and Dom, my chest still warms when I hear her call herself my girlfriend. I can’t wait until the title is wife, but girlfriend still makes my heart thunder.
As they shake hands, Dom says, “I’ve known the Ledgers a long time.”
Elyse scoffs. “Knew,” she corrects. “You knew us. You don’t anymore.”
Marisa’s stare is equally confused and amused.
“Should we go sit down?” I ask Marisa. Clearly, Elyse and Dom have some issues to work out and I want no part of it.
