Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

against her breast, Maddie had been mortified because he told the story to whoever would listen.
    “You’ll live,” Nick said, grinning as Maddie playfully swatted him. “Let’s get dinner first. I was thinking we could go to the kebab truck. Then we’ll play a few games and hit the funhouse on the way out. I’m hoping that will put you in the mood to play a few more games when we get home.”
    “Even though you’re the most evolved man I know, you’re still kind of a pig sometimes,” Maddie lamented.
    “I think it comes with being a man, Mad,” Nick said, swinging their joined hands as they moved onto the carnival midway. “I can’t help it. I was born this way.”
    “Well, I guess it’s good I already love you then,” Maddie said, laughing as Nick lifted their hands to kiss her knuckles. “You can be charming sometimes.”
    “I’m always charming where you’re concerned, Mad,” Nick said, leading her toward the kebab place. “Let’s get dinner and then let’s hit the games. Keep your eyes peeled for that woman, but try and relax, love. We can only do what we can do.”
    Maddie nodded and took a seat while Nick got in line for their food. She kept her eyes busy and scanned the crowd, paying special attention to the people getting on and off the rides. No one stood out, though, until she saw Cooper watching her from a spot close to the carousel. He wasn’t alone – Cassidy, Christy, and Marla talking at him from different directions – but he paid them little attention as he focused on Maddie.
    “I got you two kebabs because I want you to have a lot of energy when we get into the funhouse,” Nick said, returning to the table with their food. “What are you looking at?”
    Maddie inclined her head in Cooper’s direction, causing Nick to glance over his shoulder. He scowled when he saw the scene.
    “I expected more from Christy,” he said, shaking his head. “She’s smart. Why is she doing this?”
    “I don’t think she can help herself,” Maddie said. “Christy is the type of person who throws herself into something before thinking about the ramifications.”
    “And what about Cassidy and Marla?”
    “They just want to be able to say they snagged the one guy everyone in town is drooling over,” Maddie replied. “I thought Cassidy was still seeing David, though. I don’t know why she’s doing this.”
    “I think she is still seeing David,” Nick said, referring to a local contractor who Cassidy had been romantically entangled with over the past few weeks. “He is over in Traverse City for two weeks on a job, though.”
    Maddie wrinkled her nose. “How do you know that? Have you been checking up on her?”
    “Now who is jealous?” Nick teased, poking Maddie’s cheek. “I know because someone mentioned the church still needed a few minor tweaks and Kreskin said David would fix them when he got back to town.”
    “Oh.” Maddie’s face flushed with color. “Sorry.”
    “It’s okay, Mad,” Nick said. “I get it. Just for the record, though, I only dated any of those women because I couldn’t have you. The Cassidy situation went off the rails – oh, boy, did it ever – but she’s out of our lives now.”
    “Is she?” Maddie wasn’t so sure. “Christy is over there hanging out with Cassidy and Marla and I can’t help but be worried.”
    Nick stilled, his kebab halfway to his mouth. “What are you worried about? Are you afraid Christy is going to tell Marla and Cassidy your secret? If so, um, I don’t think she will and it’s technically out of the bag in some respects. You know that.”
    “I’m not particularly worried about that,” Maddie hedged. “It’s just … well … what if Christy decides she doesn’t want to be my friend and would rather hang out with them?”
    “Oh, Mad, that’s not going to happen,” Nick said. “Christy is wound up because of Cooper. She has a crush on him, and most women don’t get a chance to act out their celebrity