Romancing the Grump (Appies, #4)

by Jenny Proctor

guess who texted me after work today?” Summer asks, her attention fully on Gracie now. My ears perk up, and my movements slow even further. These spoons seem particularly dirty; probably they need to be scrubbed by hand three, maybe even four times. “Oh, no. Please tell me he didn’t,” Gracie says. “He totally did. But it’s fine. I deleted and blocked his number. I mean, one text was just about work, but the second message was…less about work.” There’s a strain in Summer’s voice that I don’t like, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about it from here. Nothing, that’s what. Because she isn’t talking to me. She’s clearly speaking quietly on purpose. With the water running, she probably thinks I can’t hear, which is all the more reason for me to stop listening. “I just can’t believe that after everything, he still thinks he has any right to text me,” she says. “He’s gross, Summer,” Gracie says. “And he’s the freaking district attorney. Isn’t he supposed to be an upstanding citizen or whatever?” “Elected by his peers,” Summer says with annoyance. “I’m just glad I don’t work there anymore.” “Me too,” Gracie says. “Especially because it means you’re here.” That’s right. Summer worked for the DA. A DA who clearly mistreated her. I drop a bowl, and it clatters into the bottom of the sink, splashing water all over the front of my sweatshirt. Both of the women look up, but it’s Felix who moves in beside me. “You all right, man?” he asks under his breath. “I think that’s the cle...