Page 114 of Unexpected Heroine

Everyone gathers in the kitchen as the guys pop open takeout containers. I attempt to grab a stack of plates but my man—let’s call him Smoky Bear—jumps in front of me, beating me to the cupboard.

“I got it, sweetness. Why don’t you grab some silverware instead?”

A tiny prick of irritation sours my mood until I realize he isn’t doing it because I’m incapable or to baby me. He’s merely saving me the pain from my bruised ribs. Reaching is not so fun for me these days.

Instead of being ticked that he’s coddling me, my cheeks are getting chapped that he’s better at taking care of me than I am. How does he do that? Am I truly that inept?

I blink off my unsavory thoughts when Stella sidles up beside me. Her expression is warmhearted as she extends one arm, inviting me in for a side hug. Once she realized that full hugs sort of hurt me, she stopped going for those which I appreciate and hate simultaneously.

She whispers, “You really love him, don’t you?”

Opening the silverware drawer, I crinkle my nose at her. “Duh. Did you think I was pullin’ your leg about that?”

She chuckles quietly while helping me grab an assortment of cutlery. “No, Lettie. It’s not that.” Her chest rises with a deep inhale as her gaze bounces between him and me. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a bitch, but?—”

Seizing the joke opportunity as only a best friend can, I interject, “Some traits just shine through no matter how hard you try to hide them, doll face.”

Baring her teeth at me, she hisses like a rabid goth raccoon. Considering her gobs of dark eye makeup have run today from our on-again, off-again waterworks, it’s a fitting description.

“Anyhow, as I was sayin’ before you decided to impugn my upstanding character,” she darkens her glare at me in jest, “before today, I knew that you believed you loved him. But I didn’t know if it was a crush or puppy love. I may have only seen you two together for a few hours, but I think it’s real. And despite the horrific circumstances, I’m glad to finally meet him. It’s nice to see you in love. I think he loves you too.”

“Thank you,” I respond without a lick of teasing in my tone. “That means a lot.” My voice clogs with those pesky emotions.

I glance at my man, who’s pouring me a glass of sweet tea and setting it at the table in my usual spot. The one right beside him. On his left. Closest to his heart.

In a hush, “When are we pestering him to find out what they did tonight?”

A groan gets caught in my throat. “Soon, but maybe not now. Or is now a good time? Should I wait until everyone leaves? I don’t know the answer here. Decisions are like... really hard.”

Stella folds her lower lip down and presses her teeth together in a comical cringe. “Pretty sure my advice doesn’t hold water in a situation like this. Relationships. Not my jam. If you want help deciding what to sing for the Peach Pie Festival, I’m your gal. I also know twenty-six euphemisms for pussy. And thirty-two for penis. Interrogating your boyfriend about his little vigilante mission is a bit out of my wheelhouse.”

She grabs a clean cup from the dish drainer and starts toward the table where everybody is congregating. After one step, she drops back and quietly adds, “Whatever you decide, perhaps start with why he smells like lighter fluid.”

Shit. Guess I wasn’t wrong about the fire theory.

Don’t judge me for the decision I’m about to make. K? Thanks.

“Stella Jean, I’ll ask him later. Let’s just enjoy the pig-out.”

I’ll pretend it was an innocent bonfire while I eat gobs of greasy, cheesy food.

And yet, my thoughts immediately careen off course.

Don’t they burn bodies to destroy evidence?

Not sure which figurative they I’m referring to. You know... people who kill for various reasons. Some are probably honest reasons. Right? And if so, then getting rid of evidence seems like a good thing. Let’s hope they collected the teeth. Otherwise, it’s all for nothing because that shit always has a way of becoming evidence. According to Hollywood.

Jeez. I’ve done taken the express train to mental chaos. Toot toot.

Chapter 21

One step forward, two steps back

LETTIE

My eyes eat up the delicious view of Tomer’s lean, toned body. Standing at the entrance to his closet with the light behind him outlining his silhouette, he tugs off the rugged clothes he wore tonight on his... mission or whatever.

“Is this a free strip show, or do I need cash?”