Badge Bunny Page 7

  “What do you want, Chris?” she fires back, refusing to answer my question.

  “I was wondering if Dr. Miller would help me complete the first task in our pub golf game?” My eyes drift over to her, and, as though she feels them on her, she lifts her gaze from her drink to meet mine.

  “Oh, you guys know each other?” Sonnet exclaims, her eyes darting between us both. “That’s awesome!”

  “Is it?” Dr. Miller retorts, giving me an eyeroll she seems to have manufactured expressly for me. “I’m not sure I agree.”

  “I don’t think she likes me,” I state, talking to Sonnet but looking at the good doctor with raised eyebrows. “She won’t even give me her first name.” She’s so beautiful with this indignant expression on her face. I just want to kiss it right off her.

  “So how do you and Brynne know each other?” Sonnet directs her question to me, her dark eyes sparkling with unspoken ideas, ideas that make me shift a little uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

  “The ER,” we both answer in unison, and despite her best efforts to maintain her aloof demeanor, her lips twist into a half-smile.

  And then I look at her again, now knowing—finally—her name is Brynne. What a beautiful name!

  “Chris is Drew’s best friend,” Sonnet shares, looking at Brynne for a reaction.

  “I knew his best friend was a state trooper, but I did not realize it was Corporal Everson.” She seems consummately disappointed.

  I want to issue a smartass remark, but I hear Drew calling for me from a few feet away. “We’ve only got 5 minutes till the next hole!”

  Why do I feel like I’d rather stand right here for the rest of the night than go pub crawling with the guys?

  “Hey, I came over here because I need a photo with a redhead for the game we’re playing.” I hold up the scorecard. “What do you say?”

  “You want a photo with me?” She gives me a confused look, brows drawn together. Oh, she’s not wearing her glasses, I realize. No wonder she looked so different to me. And no white coat, of course. I didn’t realize how pretty her eyes were. So dark with a thick fringe of lashes. And there’s a tiny smattering of freckles across her nose. Oh, she’s definitely a natural redhead.

  “Yeah, do you mind?” I’m starting to grow a little impatient. Now Drew has joined the table, and he and Sonnet have their eyes glued to us like they’re watching something completely riveting, Game of Thrones, maybe. Hopefully nobody is going to die in our scene.

  “I’d rather not.” She shakes her head dismissively. “Not if you’re going to ask like that.”

  I take a deep, frustrated breath and blow it out. I haven’t even finished my drink yet. I have to snap this photo and down this drink in the next three minutes. I take a long chug. Holy crap, it’s cold going down, with a significant afterburn. I set the copper mug on the table and turn to Brynne.

  “Would you do me the honor of posing for a selfie with me?” I ask, trying to appeal to her sense of charity.

  “I can take the picture,” Lindy offers, holding out her hand.

  “Oh, Meric won’t like you helping the competition!” Drew laughs.

  I watch Brynne’s facial features soften ever so slightly. “Fine,” she mutters as if she’s conceding a hotly contested senate seat or something equally important. “But I don’t have to touch you, right?”

  Wow, that burned more than the drink going down. I shake my head, still not understanding why she is so openly hostile toward me. I know it’s not because she hates cops—she admitted herself that she’s dated a ton of them. Obviously, some of them were jerks. Wouldn’t mind finding out who ruined it for the rest of us. I could give him a piece of my mind.

  I’m careful not to get too close, probably standing at least a foot from her as Lindy snaps the picture with my phone. I chug the rest of my drink and fire the picture to Drew just as Meric, Shark, and some of the other guys start to head our way shouting, “Time’s up! Time’s up!”

  It sure is.

  I head out with my posse surrounding me but take just a second to glance over my shoulder. Brynne is still looking at me, and if I’m not mistaken, there is a miniature smile curling on her lips.

  Seacrets is packed. I’m not a fan of such people-y spaces, and to be honest, I didn’t think Sonnet was either. We meet up with Claire, Karen, Sophie, and a few other friends of Sonnet’s from Maryland. The first thing Sonnet does is pull me aside and ask, “So why do you have a problem with Chris?”

  “What?” I’m taken aback that she assumes I have a problem with him. I mean, I know he told her I did, but I figured she’d think he was joking.

  I don’t really have a problem with him, per se. It’s more of a problem with his type, like I’ve mentioned ad nauseum: ridiculously good-looking and cocky-as-hell cops. Did you see the way he sidled up to me thinking I was a complete stranger, wanting a picture with me just because I have red hair? That’s either the stupidest drinking game ever invented or the worst pick-up line I’ve ever heard. I didn’t see Drew or any of the other guys asking me for a photo, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he made the whole damn thing up!

  “Chris is a nice guy,” Lindy interjects. “At least what I know of him.”

  “I thought you liked cops,” Sonnet points out. “I mean, I’ve only known you for a year or so, but wasn’t Todd a cop? And who was it you dated before him…Steve? He was a cop too, right? Rehoboth Police, I think?”

  I roll my eyes at them both. “I’ve sworn off cops after Todd,” I state in unequivocally solid terms.

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” Sonnet says, raising her brows, “because I think I’m going to pair you two in the wedding party.”

  “What? He’s in the wedding party?” I can’t believe how absolutely terrible my luck is.

  She nods, grinning ear to ear. As much as she’s enjoying this conversation, one might assume she has a sadistic streak. “Chris is Drew’s Best Man. I haven’t really picked a maid of honor, but if I’m going to keep Claire and Jack together and Meric and Lindy…then that means either you, Karen or Sophie has to be paired with Chris.”

  I roll my eyes again. They’re definitely getting a workout today. “So why not Karen or Sophie?”

  “Sophie and Chris had a brief fling last summer…and I don’t think it would be advisable to pair them together. So I was going to match up Sophie and Sam—they’ll probably end up drunk and screwing in some janitor closet before the night is over.” She sighs and shakes her head. “And Karen is older… I just see her getting along better with Luke. He loves older women. Yes, I know, Karen is married but—it’s just the way I had it in my mind, anyway. You know you get a distinct vision of how things should look?”

  “So I guess I just get the short end of the stick?” My hands are on my hips. I don’t want to be defensive, but this night is quickly going downhill. Damn it, I chide myself. It’s Sonnet’s party. Straighten up and quit being such a crappy friend, I tell myself.

  “Oh, there’s nothing short about that stick,” Sonnet says, a sly grin spreading on her face. “Not from what Sophie said!”

  “What?! Ewwww!” I fire back. I can’t believe she just said that. But then again, she’s already had three drinks to our one. The goal here is to get Sonnet hammered, and I’d say we’re off to a good start. I keep reminding myself that’s the purpose of tonight. It’s not about me. It’s not about me, I repeat for good measure.

  She wraps her arm around my shoulders, that third drink clearly kicking in. “Oh, come on, Brynne. Don’t be such a stick in the mud.”

  How can she possibly be using the exact same phrase he did a few weeks ago?

  “Besides,” she adds, “he’s a hot cop. How can you go wrong with a hot cop?” Yep, she’s slurring her words. “I just called you a ‘stick in the mud.’ Pot, kettle, black and all that!” She begins to laugh hysterically as Lindy shakes her head, clearly amused by the whole thing.

  “Let’s get her another drink,” I suggest, and Lindy q
uickly nods. I adjust the “bride” tiara with the flowing tulle veil on her head as Lindy flags down a server. Yes, tonight is about taking care of Sonnet. I’ll deal with Trooper Asshat later.

  Before I go to bed that night, my stomach muscles aching from laughing so hard at Sonnet’s drunken antics, I scan over my notifications on my phone. There’s a text from Ben, which I open up immediately. It has a video attachment, and before I can even hit play, I find I’m already smiling.

  “Hi Auntie Brynne,” Jamie’s voice comes over the video. She’s not on camera, but Ben is, and he’s got Harmony on his lap with the bunny book I bought her. “Harmony just wanted to say thank you for the book. It’s her absolute favorite! I think we have read it approximately four million times.” I hear Ben laughing as the sweet little girl points to a picture in the book, and the hugest smile I’ve ever seen shines on her face.

  “Say ‘thank you’ to Auntie Brynne!” Jamie says, and she pronounces “Auntie” like a British person would, which is so cute and endearing.

  “Thank you!” Harmony stumbles out in a high-pitched, excited voice. She’s bouncing up and down in Ben’s lap. I see the stuffed bunny and sea turtle I bought her at her feet.

  Ben looks up into the camera. “We love you, Aunt Brynne!” he says, then bends down to whisper in his daughter’s ear.

  “Lub you!” Harmony echoes.

  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more precious sight in my entire life.

  Eight

  My head is still ringing from my hangover. No, wait, that’s the phone.

  I scan the room for my phone and spot it clear across the bed. Like a whole four or five feet away from me on the nightstand opposite of where I’m lying right at this moment. Another scan and my eyes fall on the clock on the nightstand closest to me. It’s 9 AM. I think I rolled in at 3 AM. Bars close an hour later in Maryland than Delaware.

  Damn it, it’s Ben. I figure I better answer it because now that I have a niece, I will always be afraid something horrible has happened to her. Being the medical professional in the family, I might need to dispense medical advice in a swift and judicious manner. Sigh. Such a freakin’ adult.

  “What do you want?” I moan into the phone.

  “Well, good morning to you too, Sis!” He sounds so cheery, I want to reach through the phone and throat-punch him.

  “What do you want, BENJI?” I reiterate.

  “Hey, what’re you doing this afternoon?” he asks, still sounding as perky as a ladybug. I just think of ladybugs as being perky, I don’t know.

  “Probably taking Advil and wearing sunglasses,” I answer, hoping he gets the hint that my plans involve complete and utter solitude. I start my shift at six o’clock, and I have a lot of recovering to do in the meantime. Did you know they have a drink at Seacrets called a Pain in de Ass? I learned pretty quickly that it actually means a Pain in de Head…de next morning.

  “Oh, are you hungover? Was Sonnet’s bachelorette party last night?” he teases me.

  “No, I get shit-faced every weekend,” I retort. Apparently the alcohol didn’t detract in any way from my legendary smartassery. That’s a word, right?

  “Watch your language, Aunt Brynne. You’re on speakerphone!” I hear Jamie’s painfully melodic voice carry across the room. It’s soon echoing in my ears like the sound of that reggae band we heard last night.

  “I’ll repeat again, Benj. What do you want?!”

  He chuckles, and I hear Jamie laughing too. I never really felt the age difference between us. But now he’s a parent, and I’m stumbling in at three AM. It feels like we are worlds apart.

  “So, did you know the author of those books you bought for Harmony is local? He lives somewhere down here in Sussex County,” he shares.

  I struggle to wrap my head around the concept of children’s books, then I remember the sweet video he sent me of Harmony reading the book I got her. I’m surprised I even remember watching that, but who could forget that adorable little face and how she shouted “Lub you!” at me!

  “Yeah, I vaguely knew that,” I reply. “Why? Between this and the video you sent yesterday, I’m starting to think you’re obsessed with the guy.” I manage to even laugh a little. Oh, man, that freakin’ hurts!

  “Well, this book about the bunny getting adopted into a new family is absolutely perfect. I swear after we read it a few times, it really started to sink in for Harmony; you know, how much we love her and want her in our family. It’s like magic or something!”

  “That’s great, Ben. Really. I’m glad to hear—”

  “So, the author is doing a signing today for his new book at the Bethany Beach bookstore, and I wondered if you’d like to go with us to meet him?” he questions. “And get ice cream. I mean, what trip to the beach is complete without ice cream?”

  “Indeed,” I agree. “What time is it? I have to work at six.”

  “It’s from two to four. I know Harmony would love to see you again…and aren’t you working all next week? If you don’t see her tomorrow, you may not see her for a whole week, and—”

  “Are you seriously trying to guilt me into spending time with you?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Fine, Benj. I’ll see you there at two.”

  I manage to pull myself together in the next five hours so that I don’t look entirely like a thirty-two-year-old who stayed out partying too late the night before. I don’t typically wear that much makeup, but between putting on a little to cover up the bags under my eyes and sliding my glasses on instead of my contacts, I feel like I can almost pass for the Cool Aunt. I plan to buzz down to Bethany, get Harmony’s books signed, slurp up some ice cream, and then be-bop my way back up to the hospital before six o’clock.

  I’m blasting Avenged Sevenfold all the way down Route 1 and through Dewey Beach, where I can’t help but remember the ridiculous encounter I had with Trooper Asshat the night before. Can you believe he made up that redhead thing just to take a photo with me? I asked Sonnet to have Drew send the picture to me, but he never did, so I don’t even know how stupid I probably looked. And now I’m going to get paired with him in their wedding party. Maybe we can invite that bartender from Seacrets so he can load me up with a few Pains in de Ass to help me get through the night.

  I find a parking spot about three blocks away from the bookstore, which is fine; I don’t mind walking, especially on such a nice spring day. The sky is a brilliant cerulean blue, sporting perfect tufts of cotton candy clouds, and the ocean is shimmering turquoise under the golden rays of the sun. The downside for my hungover self is that it’s so damn bright, I wish I’d worn my contacts so I could put on some sunglasses. Oh, Trooper Asshat saw me in my contacts last night, I realize as I breathe in the glorious scent of fresh ocean air. I wonder what he thought of—

  But no. I clearly don’t care what he thought of that.

  Though, that could be why he didn’t seem to recognize me at first, even though he recognized Sonnet and Lindy right away.

  No, enough about this jerk! I am not going to allow him to enter my mind at all.

  I soak in the painfully bright but still soothing rays of sun while inhaling the sea salt air. The sound of children’s laughter bubbles up from the sidewalks, and beyond the cute little families enjoying a day at the beach, I spot my tall red-haired brother and his gorgeous wife pushing a pink umbrella stroller with an adorable baby girl inside. I can tell the moment she spots me. Her face lights up as she points straight at me. I take off in a sprint to see my Harmony. It feels SO good to say that!

  “Hey, sugar pie!” I crouch down right in front of her stroller. “How are you today?” She’s wearing a cute little nautical sundress and even a sailor hat. She’s so perfect I could just eat her up!

  Then I spot the line out the door. “It’s not even two yet! Look at all these people!”

  There are parents and kids of all different ages, colors, sizes and shapes, all snaking their way out down the sidewalk. But, I don’t have to tell you that not one of those kids
is even half as cute as my Harmony!

  “So, wow, we’re really going to wait in this line?” I question Jamie and Ben.

  “What do you want to do, Harmony?” Jamie asks, bending down close to her daughter’s face.

  “Books!” she shouts, grinning so wide I can see all her precious little pearly whites.

  “Do you want to get ice cream first?” Ben checks.

  “Books!” she screams, and wow, does she have some power in those little lungs of hers.

  “The girl wants books,” I observe. “Who am I to argue with that?” I lead our little entourage over to stand in the line. Once it finally hits two o’clock, we begin to move fairly quickly, and we’re inside the door in no time.

  We turn the corner in our long train of strollers, parents and older kids, and I spot the table where the author, C.J. Evans, is sitting. I flash back to the photo I saw of him on the book jacket, from the back side staring off into the sea. Kind of a wistful pose for a children’s author, but you know, whatever floats your boat. Maybe he’s this strange, brooding kind of guy who just happens to write children’s books. Though I think I was secretly hoping he’d be more like Mr. Rogers, at least that was the vibe I got from the actual stories.

  As we approach him, I study the way he interacts with his fans. He has a lovely smile, with full lips and straight white teeth. He’s wearing a baseball cap pulled down pretty low on his face, and he’s sporting a full beard, not to mention black plastic-rimmed glasses that don’t look all that different from my own. “Glasses twins!” I say as soon as we reach the table. Jamie lays the books in front of him, and he glances up right at me.

  His eyes! They are a stunning aquamarine, the same color as the ocean when the sun hits it.

  But it’s when he opens his mouth that I know.

  “Who should I make it out to?” he questions, his eyes quickly flicking to my brother.

  Oh my god.