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“Ya think? She blew it or he did.” He sighed. “People don’t know what they’ve got till it’s gone.”

I made my way to the side counter, popping the top off my drink and stirring the contents with a wooden stick.

Yep, I was stalling and shamelessly spying on a woman I’d never met, because she’d once been married to the guy I’d been in bed with last night.

This was the teenage girl Reg had met in high school, the woman he’d married, bought a house and had children with. The woman who’d picked out his furniture and probably every dish and piece of silverware in his kitchen. The woman who shared carpooling and parenting duties with Reg, and who because of that, would always be in his life. Even if they were no longer a couple, she was important to him.

And I was very fucking curious.

Jess had a sophisticated air, carried herself with confidence, made eye contact, and smiled freely. From an outsider’s observation, Reg’s former wife looked to be an ideal partner for the chief of police. Her loss was my gain, even temporarily, but I wondered what had happened. Reg hadn’t shared, and I hadn’t asked.

The coffee shop door burst open, and Gretchen skipped inside carrying a pastry bag. She moved to her mom’s side automatically, but stopped, her eyes widened in recognition. She changed course and headed my way.

“Waylon!”

“Um…hey, Gretchen. No school today?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yes, and boo to school. I had a dentist appointment, though, and Mom couldn’t take me later ’cause she has a meeting.”

“You got a donut out of it.” I gestured to the pastry bag. “Not a bad deal.”

“No cavities!” She beamed as she opened the bag and sniffed. “Dex’s special today is lavender mint. Smell.”

I obliged, aware that Jess had clocked us chatting and was zooming in. “Mmm…like soap.”

Gretchen giggled. “I know, but it’s pretty good. Have a taste.”

“That’s okay. I⁠—”

“Hello, I don’t think we’ve met.” Jess extended a manicured hand. “I’m Gretchen’s mom, Jess.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Waylon. I’m⁠—”

“He’s Dad’s friend. Our friend, too. We made birdhouses with Grandpa and had dinner together.” Gretchen shoved the bag at me again. “C’mon, you have to try this.”

I tore off a tiny piece of donut if only to end the conversation and get back to my regularly scheduled life. I liked it better when I was the one clandestinely checking Jess out—not the other way around.

“I like it,” I admitted.

“Dex is famous for turning donut eating into a dare,” Jess joked, tapping Gretchen’s arm. “Jump in line for us, sweetie. I’ll be right there.”

Gretchen flipped her long hair over her shoulder. “Okay. Bye, Waylon. See you soon.”

That left me…with Jess.

“Your kids are great,” I blurted. Yeah, not awkward at all.

She smiled. It was a bland upturn of lips that didn’t bother traveling to her eyes. Which didn’t make her unfriendly or cold—just…neutral.

“Thanks. I agree.” Jess fiddled with the gold hoop in her ear. “I take it you know Reg.”

I sipped my latte with gusto. “Yeah, he almost gave me a ticket, but somehow, we became friends.”

“He’s very…friendly.” Her expression wavered but remained unreadable. At least to me. “Have a nice day, Waylon.”

I furrowed my brow, unsure what to think.

Whatever. I’d met the ex and she was…pretty and seemingly a good mom. The rest was none of my business.