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“More confirmation that I’m the perfect woman?”
“You bet.”
She stood and took her plate to the sink. Luke didn’t like the tense line of her shoulders, so he followed her and snuck his arms around her waist while she rinsed the plate. When he kissed her neck, she leaned into him with a sigh.
“Are you still worried about the deal?” he asked, hoping she’d yell, Yes!
Nodding, she turned off the water, but didn’t move away. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.
Relief stabbed him like a blade, but he tried not to let it show. “I thought the deal was finalized.”
“Not yet. I’m having second thoughts. I think I can still get out of it.”
“Why do you want to get out of it?”
“It’s just… The Kendall Group is a big, successful company. I think the deal could make us money. I think we could expand. But what if I don’t want to expand?”
“What do you mean?”
“I like things the way they are.”
He turned her around and kissed her forehead. “You know you can’t make this decision on your own. That’s a serious conversation you need to have with Eric and Jamie.”
“I’ve already talked to Jamie. He agrees.”
“He doesn’t want to expand?”
“I’m not sure he cares either way, but he doesn’t like the Kendall family any more than I do.”
Luke stepped back, his hands still on her shoulders as he watched her face. “The Kendall family?” He’d been afraid he’d have to bring this up himself.
“Yes, Roland Kendall and his daughter and his son. There are others we haven’t met, but… At first they seemed normal. Now they all seem slimy.”
He dropped his hands and paced across the kitchen, then back to her, trying to figure out a way to tell her something without telling her anything. “There’s one piece of advice I give to any crime victim who asks. You have to trust your gut. If you’re thinking that something is off, then something is off.”
“Always?”
“Every single time. I’m serious. You can’t ignore that.”
Tessa chewed on her thumbnail. Luke ducked down to meet her gaze. “If you can back out of this deal, then do it. At least put off the decision for a few days.”
“Okay.”
There was that blade of relief again, gutting him open. “In fact, why don’t I do a little research for you? See if I can turn anything up.”
Her face broke into a smile. “That would be so great. Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do. Just don’t make a decision until I get back to you, all right? Promi
se?”
“Promise.” She hugged him and gave him a kiss before pulling away to grab his plate and finish cleaning. “So how’s Simone?” she asked.
“I’m still not in love with her, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Tessa laughed. “That’s not what I was asking.”
“She’s great, actually. She’s talking about the baby more. Doesn’t look so tired. It’s a girl, by the way. She told me today. Maybe you’ll help me buy some stuff? I don’t know anything about, uh, pink.”
