Page 48 of Wicked Fortune

“Oh.”

I’m shocked by the depth of disappointment that crashes through me. I’ve never been one to fall hard or fast, but that’s what’s happening with Matthew. My relief is palpable when he adds, “But we’re still on for eight?”

I smile so wide my mouth aches. I couldn’t play coy with this man right now if I tried. And despite having walked into this office with a mission, the truth is I don’t want to go down that road. For better or worse, I trust him.

“Eight o’clock,” I repeat. “Absolutely.”

“Good,” he says, his tone low. “I can’t wait.”

“Neither can I.” The words, so true, send a bolt of fear cutting through me. I’m falling for this guy like I’ve never fallen before. Faster and deeper. So much, that I feel a little out of control.

Honestly, I like the feeling.

But at the same time, I know that if this goes sideways—if I’m wrong about him—it won’t just be my heart on the line.

It’ll be everything.

I think of Jenny, and a chill cuts through me.

It could even be my life.

EIGHTEEN

It’s seven fifty-nine, and I’m sitting in my car on his street. I’ve been here for fifteen minutes already, forcing myself to clear out emails on my phone rather than skip to his front door and blatantly reveal just how much I’ve been looking forward to tonight.

Not because I love Vivien Lorainne’s movies.

Not even because this is a chance to get close to him and maybe learn something about Jenny’s death. And, yes, that should be my motivation. Hell, it is my motivation. I’m not going to give up on Jenny—not ever.

But as much as I want those answers, that’s not why I’m so eager that I spent forty minutes deciding what to wear. It’s not why I arrived far too early. And it’s not why there are butterflies doing a wild dance in my belly.

I want him.

No great revelation there. After all, I’ve been attracted to this man for a very long time, and after the other night, I’m certain he wants me, too.

But Matthew Holt is a man I shouldn’t want. A man whose secrets I’m trying to discover.

A man who may be complicit in the death of my friend.

But so help me, I do want him. More than that, I want him to be innocent.

If he’s guilty, going back into his home to suss out answers could be the last bad decision I ever make.

If he’s innocent, going back into that house to suss out answers could be a betrayal he’ll never forgive.

And there it is. The real reason I’ve been sitting in this car. I’m damned if I do, and I’m damned if I don’t. And no matter how this whole thing shakes out, I can already see the end.

Matthew Holt will never be mine.

I blink back tears as I tell myself that’s okay.

I tell myself that I’m doing this for Jenny.

And I tell myself that even if I only get one night with him, that will be enough.

Fortunately, I’m a good liar. And the person I’ve always lied best to is myself.

I glance at the clock. Five after eight. Now or never time.