Shadows at Sunset: Sunset Trilogy ~ Book 1 by Tonya Royston Page B

way, she answered, “Diet Coke, with lemon.” Her eyes never left Noah.
    “No problem. I’ll be right back,” I said. Before I turned to head back to the kitchen for her drink, I glanced at Noah. “Sorry,” slipped silently from my mouth.
    As I left their table, I could only imagine what was happening between them. Marlena knew what she wanted, and when she had her sights set on a guy, he never stood a chance. Hopefully, Noah would hold his own with her.
    As I filled another red plastic cup with Diet Coke from the soda machine, Mike, the owner and pizza chef, slid a plate along the chrome counter. “Pizza’s up, Laken. Two slices of pepperoni for our new deputy.”
    “Thanks, Mike.”
    He flashed a smile beneath his dark mustache. “Make sure you treat him well. I want him to become a regular.”
    “Me, too.” I grabbed the plate in one hand, the Diet Coke now adorned with a lemon slice in the other, and carried them back to Noah and Marlena.
    As I approached the table and set the plate and soda down, Noah’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his shirt pocket and glanced at the screen. Immediately, his expression darkened. He stared at it for a few moments, his eyes somber. After sliding it back into his pocket, he looked at me. “I have to go.”
    “Really?” I asked. “Do you want me to box up your pizza?”
    “There’s no time,” he said as he stood up, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.
    Marlena watched incredulously. “Noah, I can bring it by the station for you. It would be no trouble,” she offered, her voice so sugary sweet that it made my stomach turn.
    Noah pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of his wallet. “Don’t bother. I just lost my appetite. Besides, I’ve got to handle something with the sheriff and there isn’t time to eat. Laken, I hope this will cover the pizza and my drink.” He dropped the money on the table.
    “That’s too much,” I said. I caught his gaze for a moment, suddenly worried that something was terribly wrong. The pizza and the money seemed to be the farthest things from his mind right now. “Tell you what. I’ll box up your pizza and bring it home with your change tonight. You can pick them up later or my dad can take them to the station tomorrow.”
    He forced a weak smile. “I’ll take you up on that for the pizza, but not the money. Keep the change. I’ll see you soon.” He reached for his sunglasses, putting them on as he hurried toward the door.
    Marlena and I watched in silence as he disappeared out the door. We were both shocked. But while I wondered what had happened to change his mood so quickly, Marlena seemed angry more than curious, as if she had been stood up.
    “I wonder what that’s all about,” I mused, not expecting the wrath that was about to be unleashed upon me. Shrugging, I reached for the plate of pizza and the money.
    “Well, well,” Marlena said sarcastically as she focused her stone cold gaze on me. “I hope you’re happy.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Oh, come on, Laken. I see what’s happening here. You like him. Admit it.”
    “I don’t have to admit anything to you.” I started to turn away, but stopped when she continued.
    “You may think you’re the shit around here now after saving that little boy, but in a few more days, no one will even remember your name. Don’t fool yourself, Laken. He’s way out of your league,” she warned.
    I took a deep breath and glared at her. “You must feel threatened, or you wouldn’t waste your time talking to me. That’s actually a compliment, Marlena.” A smile crept onto my face, sparking a raging storm in her eyes as though I had thrown gasoline on a fire.
    “Don’t underestimate me. If I don’t get what I want, I can have your dad fired in a heartbeat. And you know you’ll never be able to live with yourself if you let that happen.”
    “Oh, please. My father’s been with the town police department longer than you’ve been alive. He is