Page 29 of Depraved Truths

I chuckle quietly to myself as I lower myself into the barstool beside her. Forking a piece of my omelet, I savor the flavors that hit my tongue. It's pretty damn good, if I do say so myself.

We proceed with our meal in a comfortable silence.

When we’re finished, she takes the plates to the dishwasher, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She turns back to face me. “So…”

“Yeah, I should get going. Jace is probably wondering where I am,” I say, pulling out my phone as it dings with a text. I grab my duffle bag and toss it over my shoulder. “Let me walk you to your car.”

With a sigh, she grabs her purse and car keys, heading for the door. I stay behind her as she sets the alarm, memorizing the security code.

As I hold the door open, she glances at me, dubious.

“This is your new key,” I say, handing it to her. She doesn’t need to know I had Jim make another copy.

She locks the door, and we walk to our respective cars.

“Tessa!” a voice calls out as a yippy Pomeranian runs toward us.

Tessa stops, eyes wide.

“Jane, hi,” she stammers.

“Oh, hello, Eli,” Jane says, eyeing us both with a knowing smile. “Tess, dear, I just wanted to check on you this morning. But it looks like you’re in good hands.” Her gaze settles on mine. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, boy. How are your parents?”

“They’re good, Mrs. Jane. How’s Mr. Fred?”

Jane beams at Tessa, “Eli’s always so polite.”

Tessa looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here.

“We’re doing alright. Fred had his hip replaced last fall, but he's recovering nicely.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Oh, Eli, I’ve been meaning to call you. Our grandson owns the lot down the street, planning to build a house. Do you think you could stop by one day and give him a quote?” Jane asks.

I reach into my wallet and hand her my business card. “How about next week sometime? I'd love to chat further, but we need to get Tessa to work.” I wink at them. “She has lives to save.”

Tessa shoots me a glare. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.

“I do need to get to work, Jane. Thanks for checking in,” Tessa says, rushing to her car. I’m on her heels.

She opens the door and eyes me warily. “Look, I appreciate all your help, but I don’t need a babysitter or to be ‘handled.’ I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can,” I reply softly. “But you should think about letting people in. Letting me in.”

I kiss her forehead and gently lift her chin, forcing her gaze to meet mine. “I’ll see you later, Tessa.”

She mutters something unintelligible as I walk away, grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, and you should think about getting a dog,” I call back over my shoulder as I climb into my truck.

“It looks like I already have one, Stalker,” she yells, slamming her car door shut.

Chapter 21

Islam the car door shut, huffing and puffing—the nerve of that man. To make it worse, I got busted by the next-door neighbor. Putting the car in reverse, I back out of the driveway, and Eli pulls out behind me.

“You should get a dog,” I mock. Yeah, a golden retriever to match the one I already have trailing me. Frustrated, I glance in the rearview mirror, half expecting him to follow me to the hospital, but he turns off, heading east. I wonder where he lives.

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