Percy lets out a snort.“Please.She had a tragic crush on him all through high school.”
“Perce!”Serena’s cheeks border on neon.“We’re just friends.”She presses her palms over her face as if she can physically push the embarrassment back in.“It’s not like I ever had a chance with Erica around anyway.”
My heart gives a single, sharp thud against my ribs.
Erica?
Serena drops her hands, trying to smooth out her expression, though she’s still flustered.“It’s ancient history.Really.That ship didn’t even make it out of the harbor, let alone set sail.”
“Order up.Wren.”Lou’s voice bellows from the counter, cutting through the sudden tension like a foghorn.
Wren gives a quick wave.“Coming.”
She turns toward the counter, Serena trailing behind her, likely grateful for the escape.
I take a slow, deliberate sip of my coffee, watching them until they’re well out of earshot.There’s a vibration in the air, that low-frequency hum that tells me I’ve hit a nerve.
Gently setting my mug down, I peer up at Percy.“So...Erica?”
She doesn’t look away, but her posture shifts, her shoulders losing their easy slump.I’ve got her attention.“Is she still in the picture?”
She shakes her head, her expression twisting into something complicated.
“I don’t really know.Honestly, most people don’t.”She exhales, a long, weary sound.“They were high school sweethearts.They got engaged and left town together the second Maddox got his racing gig.”
Her voice drops, her eyes darting toward the counter to check on the others.“But it didn’t last.They split within a couple years away.Although...”
She trails off, biting her lip as she weighs how much more to give me, and slides into the seat across from me.“Rickie—that’s what everyone around here calls her—she never really left his life.Doubt she ever will.Even though they were done, she was still in Spain with him.Mad isn’t the type to let go easily.”
A cold thread of unease stitches through the warmth of my chest, dragging my stomach down with it.“Where is she now?”
Percy shrugs, her expression turning unreadable.“No idea.She hasn’t been back to Winslow Grove since the split, and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t talk to anyone here.”She pauses, nibbling on her bottom lip as if debating the next part.“Well, except for Mad.”
Before I can dig into whatthatmeans, Wren returns, her arms overflowing with takeout bags.“Ready to roll?”
Percy stands, but her eyes linger on my empty plate.“So, give it to me straight.Lou’s or Pop’s?”
“Pardon?”I blink, caught off guard by the shift.
“Which one is better?The food, the vibe, the total experience?”
Wren gives her sister’s arm a light, warning tap, and my reporter instincts scream—there’s a story here, and it’s not about the gravy.
I lean forward, my pulse thrumming.“Why the sudden market research?”
Percy arches a brow, her mouth opening to deliver what looks like a zinger, but Wren cuts her off with a sharp look.
“Full disclosure, Grace—‘Pop’ is Luke Tyler.Our father.”She narrows her eyes at her sister.“And that isn’t a fair question.We love Lou.He’s Pop’s best friend and family in every way that counts.He isn’t competition.”
“Hey, I’m conducting a little field study.”A spark of ambition lights up Percy’s eyes.“Seeing as I’ll be running the Grill eventually.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”Wren hands Percy a takeout bag, effectively ending the debate.“Pop’s still able-bodied and spends more time at the Grill than he does at home.”
They offer a chorus of waves and head for the door, but I don’t miss the way Percy is no longer bubbly or smiling.I watch them disappear into the parking lot, mentally filing Percy’s “Grill” ambitions right next to the ghost of Rickie.Engaged, split up early in his career, but she still lingers in Maddox’s orbit.Something spasms deep in my chest—an unexpected, unwanted little jolt of static.
What is wrong with me?
He’s a subject.A profile.A freaking stepping stone back to my real life.He isn’t some guy I find wildly, inconveniently attractive.