Page 26 of Every Which Way

Kenna grinned right back. “Me, too.” She caught the time on the dash clock. “We need to go in. They’re probably waiting for us.”

Maizie waited until they were out of the parking lot and on the sidewalk before she asked, “What am I gonna say if they ask me where I grew up and stuff like that?”

“Laney knows where you came from. At least the highlights, enough to know what not to ask because it would make you uncomfortable.”

“What about Jax’s mom? Don’t you want to tell her the truth?”

Kenna said, “Kids have opinions about their parents. And in my life, I have levels of trust. It seems like Jax trusts his sister implicitly. That’s why they were invited to Stairns’ place last Christmas. But it seems like he keeps his parents a little more at arm’s length.”

“Like he doesn’t tell them everything.”

Kenna glanced over. “Most kids don’t tell their parents everything even when it’s a good relationship.”

“Huh. Don’t they trust them?”

“It’s more about privacy. Or autonomy. You don’t have to share all of yourself with someone if you don’t want to. Does anyone share every thought they have in their head?”

“I do sometimes…with Elizabeth. But less now than a year ago, I guess.”

“Right. Sometimes, we need to be honest because we need to get something out, and then after that, it feels better. We could go back to that level of sharing later, for accountability. Or stick with this. Depends on what’s happening, like the seasons. You always wear shoes, but they change depending on the weather. Like how much of your foot they cover and how insulated you want them to be.”

Sometimes, it was about protection.

Kenna continued, “I’ve had seasons in my life where I saw no one for days and rarely talked to anyone unless I was on a case. Look at me now. This season, I’ve got more people than I know how to handle.”

Maizie chuckled. “Deal with it.”

“So much compassion.” Kenna wiped a fake tear from the corner of her eye and approached the door to the restaurant, aware they were being watched. Probably by Ramon, but it might not be only him. Far as she knew, Bruce and Stairns would be around later to be on hand. Whatever Bruce was working on wasn’t happening tonight.

Hard to tell if the itch between her shoulder blades was down to her friends keeping her and Maizie in their sights or someone with a far more nefarious intention. Either way, there was plenty of protection surrounding Maizie. Kenna was going to have to get used to the teen being exposed—out in public where anyone could see her.

Tomorrow, she was going to have Bruce and Stairns sit down with her and explain the whole of what Bruce was working. The last thing she needed, when there was likely a case here, was for her to be distracted by their thing. Worrying if they needed help. Or needing their help when they were tied up. She’d rather work on one case at a time than split her focus.

The maître d’ stepped out, holding the door for them. Inside was remarkably warmer than outside. She scanned the place, looking for Jax’s mom and sister.

“Table for two?” He was older, probably in his sixties, and wore a black waistcoat over his crisp white shirt. He slid a couple of single page, embossed menus on white cardstock from under his podium.

“I see them.” Maizie pointed.

“Thanks,” she told the guy. “But we see our friends.”

“Have a wonderful evening.”

“Thank you.” Maizie headed across the room with zero hesitation. Kenna watched her, in awe of how far the girl had come out of her shell.

Adrielle and Laney got up. They both kissed Kenna on the cheek, and Laney gave Maizie a hug. Jax’s mother smiled endearingly at the teen.

“This place is supposed to have fabulous sea bass.” Adrielle slipped some dainty gold glasses on her nose and looked at the menu.

“How was your afternoon, Kenna?” Laney asked her.

Kenna shrugged. “Not too exciting. I do need to call Jax later, though. Fill him in. It’s nice to be in the same time zone.”

Laney seemed disappointed. “I guess there’s always tomorrow.”

“Looking to get swept up in a case?” The woman was in her thirties and had two elementary-age kids. Maybe she wanted some excitement. Too bad. The last thing Kenna wanted to have to explain to her fiancé was that his sister had been sucked into something dangerous. “I can’t say I’d recommend it.”

“My husband said the same thing.”

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