Page 16 of The Quiet Witness

Lucien’s head shot up.

Clara, thank God, played along. Though judging by the ire in her eyes, it cost her. “I would love to! I can show you all the sights around here.’’

“Yes!’’ Kate clapped her hands, forcing excitement. “Girls’ time, am I right?”

“Tomorrow at twelve?’’ Clara inquired.

“I was actually thinking about today. How late do you get off of work?’’

Today. Else I won’t see another morning.

Clara replied. “Euhm, that would be at five. That’s fine I guess.’’

“Great!’’ Another smack of her hands. “I’ll just stay here and rummage around some, then you.’’ Her sugar-coated smile fell on Lucien. “Can pick me up later.’’

The cocky smirk he sent her said 'No way in hell.'

How are you going to get out of this one, pal?

“Oh sweetie.’’ His fingers brushed over hers. “Don’t you remember the appointment we had?’’ Kate winked at him. Watching as his eyes lit up in joy, oh he was enjoying this.

Maybe so am I.

She poked him with a finger in the chest, feeling the hardness beneath. “We can reschedule. You’ve been saying how I need to get out of the house more.’’

He tilted his head. “But what about the baby?’’

The baby?!

This time it was Kate who winced as Denise clapped her hands together. “You guys are expecting? No wonder you’re overcome by hormones!’’ Clara gasped. “Oh, dear lord.’’

Recently. I met him recently, remember? She gaped at Denise, willing her to understand. Respond, Kate. Don’t let this sneaky weasel slip you up.

She waved the enthusiasm away with a hand. “Oh, nonsense! He wants to be a dad, but I think he’s gonna have to work harder than what’s been on display thus far.”

Lucien took a step toward the exit. “And that’s our cue to leave.’’

“What about our walk, though?’’

Denise drove it home. “Honey, if there is even a chance you’re pregnant. We won’t be stopping you from going to the gynaecologist. Now go! Clara will still be here.’’

I don’t understand it. What is up with these people?

Denise shooed Kate out of the store, Lucien strode ahead. Nothing in his posture gave anything away, no frustration at her quip about his manhood. It would have been easier… if he had started screaming at her but nothing but a cool aura surrounded the man.

What did I just do?

Left and right, no one in sight. Only the cold wind and the man waiting for her in his car. They got in, their doors falling shut at the same time.

Soon as she settled in her seat, Lucien burst out laughing. Kate stared at him in shock. He chuckled once more, patting his leg. “That was a good one. Smart too.’’ He focused the entirety of his sharp eyes on her. She nearly shrank in her seat. “I’ll admit, you nearly got me there.’’ Starting the engine, he shook his head, reversing off of the parking with one hand turning the wheel.

On the road again. And no word about me nearly breaking down.

Anger bubbled up under her skin. Oh, she’d done enough damage. Why hold back now? She bit out between clenched teeth. “How very nice of you.’’

With his face a mask of mock confusion, he leaned back in his seat. “What did I do?”

“Using me to get rid of the girl’s crush. Following me around like some… some sick psychopath.’’