“No kidding. Lots of moons everywhere. Even a psychic candle shop on the main street.”
Cohen’s entire body stiffened as if Mason had said something very serious and bad. “That’s Miss Wixx’s shop. She isnota psychic.”
“Miss Wixx?” Mason whistled under his breath. “That’s the woman who was giving you a hard time in the diner this morning. What’s the deal there? Did you already break her heart?”
“Hardly. I am not getting mixed up with the locals. That is a bad call for a new Sheriff.”
“Well, sure,” he shot back, wiggling his brows suggestively.
“Why did you come here, Mason?” his brother pressed. “Please tell me you don’t need anything from me.”
Mason tried not to wince. Cohen had warned Mason about his lifestyle, but he hadn’t listened. Now it was too late. “I do need a job. A place to stay,” he admitted.
Cohen clenched his jaw tightly. “No.”
“Just for a little bit,” Mason argued. “It would only be for a few months while I figure out some stuff. Besides, I miss my big bro.”
“That’s a bald-faced lie, and we both know it. If you want to find a job in Half Moon Key, you are on your own. I am not vouching for you. The locals are very sensitive about outsiders coming in to take over their town. They like things done a certain way.”
“You seem to fit in just fine.”
Cohen winced, and Mason got the impression that his brother was hiding something.Well, well, well …That could be interesting. He wondered if it had anything to do with the Wixx woman Cohen clearly got pleasure out of torturing.
“What I did or didn’t do to fit in here is none of your business, Mason. It would be best if you left as soon as possible. You have a knack for trailing trouble wherever you go. I don’t want any of that in this town. Do you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.” Mason continued to grin. “You know I am not going to drop this Miss Wixx thing. Just tell me who can help me get a job, and I won’t speak her name in your presence ever again. If not, I can always ask her out. Maybe a couple of dates with me, and Miss Wixx will leave you alone.”
Cohen’s eyes turned darker than Mason had ever seen them. “The only person who could help you is Lila,” his big brother finally said.
“Ha! See, that wasn’t so hard.” Mason’s entire face was hurting from the sheer force of his smile. “Lila, huh?”Well, this just got interesting.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Mason. You’ve been in town for two seconds. Keep it in your pants, will you? I don’t want you messing with my reputation. I am finally starting to get in with the locals. Don’t mess this up for me.”
Mason could almost hear Cohen addingand stay away from Miss Wixx, but his brother said no such thing. Mason scoffed dramatically, laying it on thick because his brother knew him all too well. “I am hurt that you would think I would do anything to mess with your good standing, dear brother.”
“You are such an ass. For real. Why are you here, Mason?”
“I needed to get away and clear my head. So what if I stay here a bit? Are you really that dead set on being a lone wolf out here?”
“Yes,” Cohen replied without missing a beat.
“Well, tough shit. I’m in town now. I think we should do beers together at least once a week.”
“I’m the Sheriff. I’m always on call and always on duty. I can’t sit around and drink.”
“Fine. We can, at the very least, have dinner together. Really bond as bros.”
“Go see Lila and leave me alone, but be warned. This community likes to be closed in. They do things their way. You’ll have to learn that before you can be accepted.”
“Oh, I am confident I can make this work.”
“Don’t think you can charm your way through this town. I’m telling you, it won’t work. You might as well give up now and go back home.”
“You know what? You said I should see Lila about work, and that’s exactly what I’ll do.” It would be a bad idea to tell his brother that he didn’t technicallyhavea home anymore.
No doubt sensing that his little brother was keeping something from him, Cohen sighed and rubbed his temples. “I only said that to get rid of you. I’m already regretting it.”
“Did I tell you that Lila was the very first person I ran into here at Half Moon Key?” Mason chuckled. “I really thought that was a sign of something. She really is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I’m not one to be mated, but if it was Lila? I don’t know that I’d mind all that much.”