Glistening Sunsets by Katie Winters

Author:Katie Winters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sister fiction, clean and wholesome fiction, later in life sea stories, mother and women's fiction, sea stories, contemporary fiction
Publisher: Katie Winters
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Was it a typical thing to go out to dinner with the police officer investigating the case of your business’s robbery? Brittany wasn’t sure this was a question she wanted to answer. But there he sat: Officer Brad Wethers, who now was tearing the edge of his napkin nervously as Heather ordered the appetizer platter, with its crunchy onion rings, its quesadillas, its mozzarella sticks, and its chicken wings. Heather then ordered a glass of rosé for herself, while Nicole opted for red wine. Brad hummed to himself, seemingly nervous, before he finally told the server, “I’ll do an IPA.” Brittany ordered an Aperol Spritz, a newfound delight that she’d heard was a specialty in Italy. Just after she ordered, her eyes met with Brad’s, and a blush crept up her cheeks.

“I’ve never heard of that before,” Brad said, his eyes alight with curiosity.

“Our Brittany’s been changing her brand for the past few months,” Heather said, folding her hands daintily across the table. “The new clothes. The spin classes. The rocking bod... And now, the Italian cocktail. I mean, come on. Are you trying to prove you’re better than the rest of us?”

Brittany’s laugh twinkled across the restaurant even as embarrassment stewed in the base of her belly. “It’s refreshing,” she admitted with a shrug.

“Ciao Bella,” Nicole teased, really laying into the Italian accent.

“Will you make them stop?” Brittany asked Brad. “Arrest them? Something?”

Luke appeared at the edge of the table, a bluster of nervous energy as he removed his coat and kissed Heather on the cheek.

“I hope I didn’t miss anything?” Luke asked as he sat alongside Heather, burrowing himself over the drink menu. His eyes then scanned across the table, catching Officer Brad, who he nodded to. “I’ve seen you around, Officer, but I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced.”

“Brad. Brad Wethers.” Brad raised a hand in greeting, his eyes nervous.

Brittany had no idea what Brad’s private life was like. His fingers were bare, proof he was unmarried, and he seemed to fret over the smallest of words thrown his way, as though he wasn’t often in social situations and wasn’t sure what to make of them.

The server arrived back at the table with their drinks, including the round glass emitting the soft orange glow of Brittany’s Aperol Spritz. Brad quickly took a drink, allowing the alcohol to wash away his anxiety and allowing a new sense of confidence to sweep over him. Brittany wanted to tell him to loosen up, that nobody was out to get him or make him look like a fool. But those words alone were like an attack.

“How’s that beer?” Luke suddenly asked Brad.

Brad flashed a smile. “It’s really good. I’ve always preferred bottled over draft.”

“That’s a good enough review for me,” Luke said confidently. “I’ll have that.”

As they sipped through their drinks and chatted amicably, awaiting their food, Brad’s shoulders eased back, his chin lifted. Heather and Nicole gabbed about the endless filing and organization that was required to potentially get Brittany’s antiques back.

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