Page 40 of 6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You

She shoves out of her car, looking incredibly annoyed. She tears off the paper and frowns. I wait impatiently, recalling the note I wrote as she reads it.

You’re strong. You’re smart. You’re incredibly creative. From the first day I met you at [REDACTED], I was amazed by you. Today is just a blip on your rise to success.

PS: You’ll notice I didn’t break our no-flirting rules as flippantly as you by mentioning [REDACTED]. You’ll also notice I didn’t say I think you’re [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] and particularly [REDACTED]. I’ll only share those specifics if our rules change.

Maggie’s head whips up, and she scans the street. I stay hidden, my body abuzz, waiting on her reaction. A second later…she bites her lip.

Warmth fizzes through me, and I almost step out to show myself, bask in her reaction. But I don’t. Writing that note wasn’t about me. There may have been some low-level flirting, but her lifted mood is all I need.

She reads the note again, presses her hand over her heart. More lip-biting ensues as she unleashes a gorgeous grin and carefully folds the note, like it’s a precious thing.

I blow out a gusty breath as she drives away.

I spend the rest of my morning at Sugar and Sips with Desmond and Ricky, going over the specifics for our high ropes course. We’ll be building three levels of difficulty: easy (green), intermediate (blue), and advanced (red). Participants will test their balance and agility by negotiating high-strung beams, tires, swings, and climbing nets, all hanging thirty feet above the ground. Desmond suggests we also build a low ropes course for kids. Something easier and fun to get little ones involved.

Once again, I’m impressed by his creative thinking. “That’s actually a great idea.”

He glowers at me. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

“Don’t be such a grunting scowler, and I won’t be so surprised.”

Ricky snickers, pushing back his chair and standing. “I know enough to start plans and get you more exact costing. I’ll connect with Cal and Jake, then we’ll reconvene when I have drawings and an estimate.”

I cross my fingers it won’t be as high as Des projected. Ricky leaves and joins a guy in line, who’s dressed for Halloween as an old-school sailor. When they kiss, I deduce that the sailor is Ricky’s husband, Aaron. “They’re cute together.”

“They’re a lot of fun. We sometimes see them for dinner.” He kicks my foot under the table. “You thought more about your finances? What you’ll do if you don’t have enough cash?”

“I’ll use the WITSEC money,” I say, even though it pains me. But desperate times and all that. “Everything you said the other day made sense. It wasn’t drug money, and it’s mine to use. I won’t like doing it, but it is what it is.”

He nods. “Glad you—”

Both our phones buzz, cutting him off. We share a frown, then grab our respective phones, where we’re greeted by a Bower boys group chat helmed by Jake.

Jake: I went by Mom’s and could tell she’d been crying. She won’t tell me why, but she was reading the fucking asshole’s stupid fucking book.

Callahan: Maybe she was just having a bad day.

Jake: Are you fucking serious right now?

E: Someone tell Cal that nice guys finish last.

Callahan: There’s no point assuming the worst.

Desmond: When Dad’s involved, there’s only the worst.

Desmond’s eyes flick up to mine. He doesn’t say anything about my plan to meet our father. He doesn’t need to. The hardness in his steely gaze translates clearly—You still sure meeting that asshole is a good idea?

Nope. Not even a little. I focus on my phone and tap out a text.

Me: Did she say if she’s almost done the book?

Jake: She said she’s taking a break from reading. We’ll convene in a few weeks or whenever she’s done.

Des: If this sends Mom into a spiral, I will fucking kill him.

Jake: Not if I get to him first.

E: You’ll have to fight me for the knife.