Free Miss Frost Solves A Cold Case: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 1) by Kristen Painter

now is the perfect time. Want to share one?”
    We looked at each other then both said, “Nah,” at the same time. Laughing, we ordered two with ice cream when the server came to refill our drinks and check on how our dinner was. She cleared our plates and went to get our desserts, leaving us to savor the feast we’d just put down.
    “Thanks for inviting me to join you for dinner.”
    “You’re welcome,” Juniper said. “You want to walk around town for a bit after? Or we could go down to DOA and get some drinks. Check out the local talent.”
    “I take it DOA is a bar?”
    “Yep. Stands for Drinks On Arrival.”
    “Cute name, but why not stay here?”
    A male presence stopped her from answering.
    “Staying here sounds like a great idea.” Cooper Sullivan slid into the booth next to me, all smiley and flirty like we’d asked him.
    Juniper seemed happy enough to see him, giving him a sly look in return. “Why? Are you buying?”
    “Sure, what do you want?”
    For him to leave. But I smiled. And wished he was ugly. That would make ignoring him so much easier. “Nothing for me, thanks. I had a couple drinks last night and they were more than I could handle.”
    Juniper put her hand on the table between us. “Didn’t you just get in yesterday?”
    “Yes. So?”
    “So you’re not supposed to drink twenty-four hours after leaving a magical plane. Everybody knows that.”
    “They do?”
    Cooper nodded. “Absolutely. It’s like being jet lagged. But worse.”
    “Well, I didn’t know that.” But then most of my traveling was done with my parents for official business, and there wasn’t much drinking involved in that. “Huh. Maybe I’ll have a drink after all.”
    Cooper shrugged. “I’m happy to buy you one, but don’t feel pressured.”
    I stared at him and his nice guy response. I had to remind myself again that he thought I was Lilibeth. If he knew who I really was, he might be acting differently. Make that would be acting differently. I looked over at my tablemate. “What are you having, Juniper?”
    “Glass of whatever sweet wine they have.”
    I made a face. “You mean like mulled wine?”
    “No, silly. Something like a moscato.”
    “I don’t know.” I was a little embarrassed to admit I’d never heard of it, but like I mentioned, bars in the NP had a fairly limited menu.
    Our desserts arrived, buying me a little more time to decide.
    Cooper closed his eyes and took a deep inhale. “Howler’s peach cobbler. Just about the only dessert worth eating.”
    He’d always loved peaches. Summer elves loved fruit the way winter elves loved sweets.
    He unfolded his lanky form and stood. “I’m gonna make a bar run and get those drinks while you two enjoy your cobbler. What do you say about that wine, Lilibeth?”
    “I’ll try it, I guess.”
    “Be right back.” He left us alone again.
    I lifted my brows as I sank my spoon into the cobbler’s sugared crust. “Do you have a little crush on him or does he have a little crush on you?”
    She snorted. “Neither. I mean, I know him pretty well and we hang out as part of a larger group, but we’re just friends. He’s not really my type.” She devoured a piece of peach with a hunk of ice cream melting off it, gave a little satisfied sigh, then licked her lips. “I think his crush is on someone else .”
    “Oh, no. Not me.”
    Juniper nodded, looking as satisfied as Spider after a full bowl of kibble. “Oh yes, you.”
    “No, thanks.” I tried to focus my attention on the best cobbler I’d ever eaten, but Juniper didn’t seem ready to drop the subject of Fireman Sullivan.
    She made an incredulous face. “Why not? He’s the total package. Or don’t you like handsome men with incredible bodies and honorable jobs?”
    “Sure, as much as the next woman, but I can’t be in a relationship.” Not with him. Been there, done that, got the heartache.
    “Why? Did you just get out of one?”
    I sighed. I hated to lie to Juniper any more