“I really appreciate that.” Peyton smiled. “Thanks for all the treats. They look amazing.”
The ladies filed out, and Kinsley grabbed a cookie and took a big bite. “Don’t be fooled by their niceness. They’re here to find out everything they can so they can all dish about it later.”
Peyton laughed. “If they bring me cookies, they can come whenever they want.”
“The back is all cleansed,” Remy said, continuing to lift the sage above her head. “The energy in here feels bad, though. Thick.”
Kinsley shook her head, obviously not understanding Remy’s feelings, but loving her anyway.
The door chimed open again. Peyton turned expecting more townsfolk. Instead, her mind failed to process the man closing the door behind him. A man from her past, carrying a bouquet of flowers.
“Peyton.” A warm smile crossed his smooth, chiseled face.
“Justin,” she managed to choke out. Justin Blake was Adam’s roommate in college, and later, his business partner. After Adam inherited his grandfather’s real estate business, Adam and Justin had an idea to grow the company together. Since Justin came from harder times, Adam had given him fifty percent of the business in a show of good faith, solidifying their business partnership and creating K&B Properties. Together, they had taken the company and made a multimillion-dollar empire out of it by purchasing corporate real estate.
“You actually did it.” His bright light brown eyes scanned the shop. “Interesting endeavor.”
“Interesting shoes,” Kinsley quipped.
Justin sent his bright smile in Kinsley’s direction. A sexy grin that had landed him in many women’s beds. Justin oozed charm and had model good looks. “My shoes aren’t working for you?” he asked Kinsley with an arch to his eyebrow.
She arched her eyebrow right back. “Depends. Do you spend as much time shining your shoes as you spend looking in the mirror?”
Peyton smiled at Kinsley. Her protectiveness was a strength for sure. Peyton could have used a friend like her in Seattle.
Justin just laughed. Peyton didn’t doubt for a second that he’d respect the hell out of Kinsley—and he’d want to sleep with her too, just to prove he could win her over. Adam and Justin might have been as close as brothers, but their personalities were worlds apart. Adam loved deeply. Justin played hard.
Remy sidled up next to Kinsley, obviously showing a solid front. “Is he welcome here?” she asked Peyton.
“Yes, sorry, of course.” To Justin, she said, “I’m just really surprised to see you.” Maybe another understatement of the year. Seeing Justin again brought warmth and tightness to her chest at the same time. She turned to Remy and Kinsley. “This is Justin Blake, a good friend from Seattle.”
Justin glanced between the women and then smiled gently at Peyton. “It appears you’ve got yourself some good friends here too.”
“She does, and don’t forget it.” Kinsley hopped off the counter and asked Peyton, “You’re good if we leave? I’ve got to stock the bar fridges.”
“Yeah, I’m good, thanks for coming by.” She smiled at Remy. “And for the extra protection.”
“Anytime.” Remy strode by Justin, stopped in front of him, and then waved some sage around him. “You’re welcome,” she said to him, then left the shop, leaving the door open.
Justin glanced sideways at Peyton, nose scrunched. “What in the hell was that?”
“A New Age witch warding off evil spirts.” When Justin frowned, Peyton waved her hand. “Don’t ask, just go with it.”
“If you say so,” Justin muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Kinsley moved closer to Justin and looked down at his shoes. “Might want to scuff those shoes up a little. Don’t want the ladies thinking you’re prettier than them.”
“I’ll take your advice under advisement.” His mouth twitched, and his gaze followed Kinsley as she left the shop. When the door shut tight, he turned to Peyton. “Damn. I like that one.”
“I’m sure you do.” Peyton laughed softly. “It’s really good to see you.”
“Likew
ise.” His smile became tender as he moved to her and then took her in a warm hug. Justin and Adam had been as close as brothers. Being in his arms almost felt like being in Adam’s. So familiar. The scent of Justin’s citrusy cologne flooded her with memories. Ones that were so much easier to forget than to remember. They just reminded her how much she missed Adam. And made her feel equally as guilty for sleeping with Boone last night.
When Justin leaned away, he offered her the flowers. “As a congratulations for your new shop. When your mom told me, I had to see this for myself.” He glanced around at the trays of sweets. “I see I’m already late, though.”
“This is just the town being its friendly self,” she said, not planning on saying a thing about the murder. The last thing she needed was Justin telling her mom what happened in her shop. Her parents had enough to worry about, like their grieving daughter quitting her job, uprooting her life, and leaving the city she grew up in and everyone she knew.