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I opened the takeout box. A bed of syrupy chicken, snap peas, carrots, and bamboo shoots sat over crispy noodles. He set his on the table, prawns and octopus instead of chicken, and devoured his dinner like his life depended on it.
I unwrapped the plastic fork. “Thanks so much. This looks delicious.”
He grunted.
“So, is this the strangest date you’ve ever had?”
He smirked. “Not sure this qualifies.”
“Oh, I dunno. It almost feels like a weekend getaway trip. Chinese takeout, cute little cabin in the woods, the peace and quiet.” I chuckled, biting my lip. “Well, except for the dead guy.”
He made a sound, his mouth full of food.
“You got rid of the body?”
He nodded.
I released a tense breath. Then I tried a bite of the noodles. Flavors burst on my tongue. Wow. This is fantastic. Achille seemed to think so, too. He didn’t breathe until he’d finished, scraping the bottom of the container clean. Then he sucked the juices off the fork’s tines and pushed the box aside. Leaning into the sofa, he kicked off his boots. His head tipped back with a sigh.
“So good.”
“I called your mom. Jack’s fine. He had a blast with his gran. He said to tell Daddy goodnight.”
He smiled.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I snooped around. I found some linens in the closet and made the bed. I guess we’re stayin’ here tonight?”
He checked his watch. “Might as well.”
I chewed on my thumb.
Achille caught my eye. “How are you feeling?”
“Relieved. I feel like this nightmare is close to being over, and it’s all thanks to you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I do, though. This means everything to me.” I leaned my head on his shoulder, watching the flames dance. “It’s nice being here with you. Reminds me of home. Elise and I used to sit on a porch like the one outside. We’d talk about our dreams. Play our music to the stars.” I was talking way too much. “You must think I’m crazy.”
“You don’t know what I think.”
“Enlighten me.”
He brushed a strand from my face, and my cheeks flushed. I turned to face him. I breathed shallowly as he pressed his forehead to mine. His fingers dug into my neck, loosening coils of tension. He kissed my cheek, and it burned.
I raised my head, desperate for more. But before our lips touched, he pulled back. He untangled his hands from my hair and stood, eyeing the door.
“I should go.”
My stomach dropped. “What’s wrong?”
Achille paused at the doorway, his back a rigid line against the soft glow from the fireplace. “I need to get some sleep.”
“Out there? It’s freezing.”
“I’ll manage.”
He opened the door, but I slammed it shut.
