Page 56 of Trust

“I don’t.”

Olivia smirked. “That’s not surprising since you and Asher are too busy deciding if you should fornicate or fight.”

Bea accidentally knocked over the stack of cards. “That’s so not true.”

“It sure is if what I saw at the fair is any indication.” She narrowed her eyes. “Does the departure of a certain JAG officer have anything to do with your current state?”

“That’s silly.” Bea bent down and picked up the cards. “An unenlightened man could never have that kind of power. It’s positively unimaginable.”

“Mmmhmmm.”

“Whatever. We’re not talking about me.”

“But we could.”

“No, thanks.” Bea strolled around the table and fixed the display. “I’d rather forget the man exists and maintain my illusion that I’m fully in charge of my destiny, and someone who resembles Apollo could never upset my chi.”

“Going for the Greek god metaphor so early?”

“I was merely pointing out that Asher physically resembles the aforementioned deity.” Bea let out an exasperated groan. “But in no way possesses an ounce of his lyrical charisma because the man knows nothing about poetry, light, or music. He’s the most literal human I’ve ever encountered. And not in a good way.”

“We are so digging into this.” Olivia clapped her hands. “I’ve clearly missed the opening act to what is certain to be a delicious if somewhat ill-fated, lusty affair.”

Bea closed her eyes. “I will buy you all the chips your heart desires if you promise to drop the subject for the time being.”

Olivia looked over her shoulder to make sure her mom was still in the back. “Are we talking white cheddar jalapeno Cheetos?”

“Yes! And I promise not to rat you out to Elaine.”

“Deal, but only because I adore you and can see that you’re suffering.”

“It’s so unsettling, Liv.”

“Seems that’s what the Hawker men specialize in.”

Bea smoothed out her hair. “Enough about that. Give me an update on the latest with you and lover boy.”

“Unfortunately, I seem to connect with Zane more than physically. Which isn’t the good news you’d imagine since it’s got my well-developed instinct for self-preservation ringing the alarm bell.”

“Unless you have a black heart, it’s kind of hard not to,” Bea replied. “No matter what anyone says, sex means something. If only because you’re exchanging energy with another human.”

“I suppose so.” Olivia studied a stack of satsuma oranges and tried to determine how Zane was doing the unimaginable and pressing his hands through the surface of her soul. Did he even mean to?

“There’s something that needs to be worked out between the two of you,” Bea said firmly. “I’m not getting a clear signal of how it will turn out. But it’s not something that can be avoided.”

“I know,” she replied, shoulders slumping.

Margret whacked open the screen and held tightly to a small white furball. “Good Lord, why do I get myself into these things?”

“Dog napping?” Olivia asked as she squatted, watching the dog that resembled a floor mop skitter in her direction.

“As if I could fit that into my schedule,” Margret sniffed. “I have agreed to help my friend find a home for this scoundrel.”

Bea patted the dog. “He’s too sweet to be any such thing.”

“Tell that to my favorite gold sandals.” She swished her hand over the small dog. “Meet Killer, ladies.”

“Love the studded collar. Very fitting,” Olivia commented as she lifted the dog into her arms.

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