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“That’s different. I’ve known her five years. I’ve known you a couple of days. And how do you know about that, anyway?”
“Educated guess. You’ve run the bookstore for years but have no cash readily available. You didn’t spend it on your car or your house. That only leaves two possibilities. Your child and your roommate. I’m guessing a four year old doesn’t cost that much to bring up so it’s got to be Eileen. Are you single?”
“What? What has that got to do with anything?”
“Do you have a partner?”
“No, why? You going to ask me out?”
“You have a child. I was curious who the father was.”
“That was a dumb one night stand with a bad person.”
He raises his eyebrows. “A bad person? How so?”
I groan. “Because the man I slept with was the man who killed my mother. How’s that for a Jerry Springer story?”
“You’re sure about that?”
“It’s not something you forget.”
“You saw him do it?”
“I saw him right when she got killed, yes.”
“Saw him kill her?”
“Look, I’m not sure I’m happy raking all this back up.”
“I apologize but my offer stands. I’m buying up property in this town and I’m planning on speaking to the sheriff and this banker you mentioned. I reckon I can have all your problems straightened out in a couple of days.”
“And what do you want in return, Mr. Miracle Worker?”
“The book you ordered for me.”
“That’s it?”
“And an opportunity to take you out for dinner.”
“I’ll let you buy me dinner but I’m promising nothing else.”
“I wouldn’t dream of asking.”
“Good.”
“Can you be ready for eight tonight?”
“I think I can manage it. Jasmine’ll be in bed by then and I’m sure Eileen can watch her for me.”
“Then I’ll pick you up tonight.” He drains the last of his coffee. “In an hour’s time the boards will be off your store and you can get back to work. I expect you to have my book when I pick you up tonight.”
“I’m sure I can manage that.”
“You better or you’ll be in real trouble.”
He kisses my cheek and then walks out, leaving me with tingling skin and half a milkshake to finish on my own. I watch him walk past the window.
I miss him as soon as he’s out of sight. How ridiculous is that? I hardly know the guy. I shouldn’t feel this strongly about him, should I?
