Page 69 of Ultimate Justice

“What?” Marlie had been looking at herself in the mirror, wondering if she could recreate the hairdo and makeup the other women had applied as a test-run. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes were as big as small balloons. “How did you—”

Gemma’s mouth fell open on a gasp. “I didn’t. I only meant, what’s it like sleeping in the same house with him. Not in the same bed.”

“Oh my God.” Tori clapped her hands over her mouth.

Marlie squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. Oh my God was right. The women’s reactions said it all. What had she been thinking? Even Tori and Gemma knew how ludicrous it was. “I knew it was a mistake. It just happened. I’m sure it was a one-time thing. I don’t see it happening again, anyway. Not with an eleven-year-old boy in the same house. I need to make a good impression for him. We can’t—” Marlie smacked her hand on her forehead. She was babbling.

“You know,” Tori said, “Evan doesn’t sleep around. He’s never even had a live-in girlfriend. I think you’re the first woman to sleep in his house for more than one night.”

“I really don’t think I fall into the girlfriend category.” To say the least and knowing it was true. “Noah and I are only staying there to keep him safe. Noah is essential to Evan’s investigation.”

“When I first met Brett,” Gemma said, tapping a finger on her glass, “I thought he was singularly focused on work, and he was. But he’s not even a close second to Evan.”

“I could say the same thing about Deck.” Tori smiled, the love she had for her fiancé beaming on her face. “However, there’s one thing I’m certain of where Evan is concerned. He may need your help with his investigation, but he doesn’t need you in his bed for that.”

These women had known Evan far longer than she had. As much as she wanted to believe it had been more than just sex, she couldn’t ignore the distinct possibility or probability that it had, indeed, been only a one-time shared instance in a moment of emotional duress. But she’d also come to care for him and know him as a kind, thoughtful person, and as a man. A very sexy man.

“Just be careful,” Tori added. “We love Evan, but despite what I just said, you should know he really is focused on his job. It’s not for us to say, just know there’s something in his family history that drives him.”

Marlie nodded in understanding. “Every missing child he searches for is a substitute for the sister he never found.” And probably never would. Surely, if she were alive, she would have contacted her family by now.

Gemma bolted upright. “He told you about her?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Was it a secret?”

“Not really.” Tori shook her head. “It’s just that, to our knowledge, he’s never told anyone outside our immediate circle.”

“Knowing how tight-lipped he is—about everything,” Gemma said, “you might consider that he trusts you and cares enough about you to confide something so personal.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m a psychologist.” A title she hadn’t attributed to herself in a very long time. The possibility of volunteering at the Foundation had really gotten her thinking about it again. “Maybe I just knew the right words to make him comfortable enough to confide in me.”

“Then it’s true.” Tori’s lips twitched. “You are a doctor.”

“How many others at North Metro know?” Surely, Tish wouldn’t have told anyone.

“I can’t say for sure. I just had a feeling about you.”

So much for hiding in plain sight. Then again, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to anymore.

Feet—human and canine—pounded up the stairs. Someone knocked on the bedroom door. “Can I come in?” Noah shouted.

The moment Tori opened the door, Deck’s Belgian Malinois K-9, Thor, galloped in, followed by Noah.

“What do you think of my suit?” He spun to show her a light-gray suit, white dress shirt, and blue tie. “Pretty cool, huh?”

Marlie’s heart swelled with pride. The suit Tori had borrowed from her neighbor’s son fit Noah reasonably well. He looked adorable and mature, at the same time.

Thor leaped onto the bed, sloshing wine from Gemma’s glass.

“Hey, you big hairball.” Gemma swatted Thor’s rump. “That was good wine you just spilled.”

Thor proceeded to lick the bed cover.

“Wowww.” Noah’s jaw dropped as he took in Marlie’s dress. “You look pretty. Like I told you, you always look pretty, but now you look really pretty.”

“Thank you.” She held out her arms to hug him and, for the first time, he hugged her back. A real hug. Then he charged out of the room with Thor on his heels, tugging the door shut behind him. At least his manners were improving.

“You’ve become close with him.” Tori retrieved an empty garment bag from her closet and unzipped it. “He’s opened up a lot since Evan brought him into the hospital. I was on duty that night.”