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Bethenny nodded. “Fine,” she said quietly, and she swore Mitch’s lips turned up ever so slightly.
The car came to a stop outside her new home. She’d moved in with the efficiency she’d always applied to her career, and after two days everything had been put into place.
She pulled her keys from her pocket, suddenly remembering she’d driven to the woods and that her car was still there. How could she have forgotten that? She should’ve driven home.
“Give me your key and I’ll have one of the officers drop your vehicle off later today,” Mitch said, not missing a beat.
“It’s okay, I can pick it up later,” she said, not wanting to bother anyone.
Mitch shook his head, turning in his seat and holding out his hand. “I know you’ve been in the city a long time, but we’re different here: we look out for each other. It’s not a problem. Give me your car key and we’ll drop it off.”
She hesitated a second. “Thank you, I appreciate it,” she said, sliding her car key off the keychain and passing it to him.
Mitch nodded. “Get some sleep. I’ll call you later today with an update. Good job, Detective.”
She smiled at his genuine compliment. There really was no ego in Mitch.
“Thank you. Keep me in the loop,” she said before climbing out of the car and walking up the stone path to her home.
It was a small two-bedroom home. She liked having just enough space to have everything she needed, but not so much that the house felt empty. Lonely. She didn’t need any more reminders of her failed personal life.
She locked the door behind her, slid off her muddy shoes, and headed straight for the bathroom. Her eyes doubled in size when she caught her reflection. A red scratch lined her cheekbone and another ran along her jaw. She couldn’t remember how she’d gotten the scratches, but she’d walked through enough trees and branches throughout the night that she shouldn’t be surprised.
She shivered, looking at her pale skin. She looked sick. No wonder Mitch had given her the day off.
Bethenny stripped, threw her clothes onto the floor, and stepped under the shower. She washed her hair three times and scrubbed her skin clean.
She had no idea how long she’d been in the shower, but when she stepped out, steam filled the bathroom and she could barely see her own feet.
She stumbled to the vanity, brushed her teeth, and wrapped a second towel around her hair.
She made her way to her bedroom, pulled on some sweats, and then went to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.
Her phone chimed and she frowned as she saw a text from a number she didn’t have saved in her contacts.
Thank you again for last night. If you hadn’t kept looking for me, I would still be in those woods starved, cold, and dehydrated. I meant what I said about dinner. Let me know if tonight is good.
He didn’t sign off with his name, but there was no mistaking who this message was from—and, surprisingly, there was no mistaking the smile on her lips.
I hope your wrist is feeling okay. Tonight is good. What time?
She kept the reply short. He didn’t need to thank her for last night; she wouldn’t have left anyone in the woods. She appreciated his thanks nonetheless.
Wrist will heal. Jackie’s, 7pm?
Bethenny’s mouth was all but salivating at the thought. Jackie’s Pizza Bar was her favorite place to eat: simple, casual, delicious. She cared little for snobby restaurants and she hated places that served one tiny delicate mouthful on a plate and called it a meal. Degustation was not her thing, but pizza... pizza was definitely her thing.
Perfect. I’ll meet you there.
She smiled again as she sent the message. Lachlan was good company and it wasn’t a date—he’d made that abundantly clear—so there was no pressure. It would, however, give her a chance to find out more about him, and the more she got to know him, the more she wanted to. A little voice inside her head told her to be careful; Lachlan Taylor had demons—that much she was sure of.
And from what she knew so far, he didn’t seem like he dealt with them, but rather pushed them aside. Bethenny knew from personal experience that strategy only worked for so long before the demons came roaring back, more evil than before.
LACHLAN
His fingers tapped the tabletop as his eyes scanned the other diners. It was busier than he’d expected for a Monday night, but he welcomed the noise and comfort of having others around. He came here a few times every week and knew the staff well now. He’d second-guessed coming here tonight, though, because the last thing he wanted was gossip.
But, there was nothing to gossip about.
