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Her fingers twist together, and I don’t like this one bit. Closing the space between us, I slide my hand over hers gently. “Hey, I’ll drive you and Edward back to town. You don’t have to ride.”
“Oh, no!” She pulls her hands away, running them down the front of her jeans. “Thank you, I mean. You’re so sweet to offer, but it’s a nice night. I think Edward would like the exercise, and I’ve just been sitting on my butt in front of the computer all week.”
Owen hops up as Edward rises to his feet. “I can’t wait to see you win, boy!” His voice is high, and he throws his little arms around Britt’s waist. “You were right. I love your dog!”
Her shoulders relax slightly, and she leans down to return Owen’s hug. “He loves you, too. You’re his new bestie.”
She attaches the leash to Edward’s collar, and Owen and I follow her down the porch steps out to the garage where the bike waits. Frustration twists in my stomach, and I don’t like her leaving this way.
Owen is oblivious to the sudden change in mood. “Get some good sleep, Edward ole boy! You’ve got to run tomorrow.”
While he’s distracted with the dog, I take the opportunity to pull Britt to my chest, leaning closer. “You okay?”
She blinks up to meet my gaze but quickly blinks away again like she looked into the sun. “I’m just tired, and you know, morning comes early.”
She’s trying to sound upbeat, but I’ve spent enough time with her to know when the sunshine is real. This isn’t, but I can’t force her to talk to me.
“Text me when you get home, okay?”
“I will.”
Owen is still playing with the dog, and I catch her chin, leaning down to slide my mouth lightly across hers. Heat tightens my stomach, and I pull her lips with mine. Her palm flattens against my chest and she melts into me.
“I miss you.” My voice is soft against her lips, and she drops her forehead to my chest.
“I miss you, too,” she whispers.
“I wish we could do more.”
“I know.” Her chin lifts, but her eyes don’t meet mine. “You can’t leave Owen.”
“Maybe I could.” I glance across the street, wondering what Vanessa’s doing on a Friday night.
My thought is cut short as Britt pulls away. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Reluctantly, I release her fingers. “Goodnight.”
CHAPTER20
BRITT
All night, I had a stomach ache. Frustration with my mother burned in my chest along with frustration with me. I can’t blame Mom for everything. I’m the one allowing her to keep secrets.
Aiden’s sweet text made my heart ache more.Did I say something wrong?
He thinks it’s been a quiet week. He thinks we have no new developments in the case, and when he said that about Edward hurting Zander, my anxiety spiked. I almost started to cry.
I’d already overshared with my “Don’t believe in magic” speech, and the risk of doing it again was enormous. It tingled on my lips and burned in my throat. I was so close to breaking down and telling him everything I know, everything that happened, but the fear was stronger.
My feelings for Aiden are scary-strong, and I adore Owen. Being with them is everything I’ve ever dreamed of having, security, stability, a family, and I’m terrified of destroying it the way Edward could shred a stuffed zebra.
Not at all. Dinner was wonderful. Just tired. Big day tomorrow.I’m sure he saw right through my defenses, but he didn’t push, which made me want him even more.
It’s one more day.
One day.
If Mom is telling the truth, if she could put the man in my hands on Sunday, we could close the case and have the answers we need. It’s like Aiden said, trying to find him on our own would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
