Page 99 of All We Need

He throws me a salute. “We’vegot it handled.”

Thank fuckIhaveSimonto help, especially since we’ve been down a line cook.

I grab the first aid kit from above the sink and force a smile to the customers enjoying their lunch asImake my way to the office.Wheninside,Iinspect the damage.It’snot the worst burnI’vehad, andI’mmore annoyed that it will be a hindrance for the next few days until it heals.It’sbad enough my knuckles are still bruised and sore from punchingKyle.

OnceI’veapplied burn cream and slipped on a food preparation glove,Icollapse onto the sofa and shut my eyes.

Last night was…fuck,it was magical.Cooking, fucking, eating, and sleeping.Simpleacts turned vibrant withAlyas my partner.Sincewe said goodbye outside her apartment this morning,I’vebeen distracted.WhenIasked what her plans were today, she grew elusive.

I didn’t push her to explain, but now, a small part of me wishesIhad.

Five minutes of shut-eye will restore my depleted energy.Justas my brain switches off, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

A frown wrinkles my brow whenIseeMartin’sname flashing on the screen.

“Hey,Martin.Howare things?”Igreet.

“Hi,Booth.Um, they’re okay.Listen, something odd happened, andIwasn’t sure who to call.”There’san edge to his tone.

My stomach turns. “Whatis it?”

He hesitates, adding to my anxiety. “It’sAlessandra.”

“What do you mean,she walked out?”Iwince at my harsh tone. “Sorry,I’mstruggling to understand.”

Martin looks at me sympathetically.Afterwe hung up,Idrove out to his property.

“I’m really not sure what else to say.Shecame inside,Iwent to get us some coffee, and whenIreturned, she was climbing into her car and driving away.”

My hands hang between my open knees, fingers flexing asIattempt to keep the tension at bay. “Andyou said she seemed ‘off’?”

His eyes slide to the window overlooking the drive leading up to his farmhouse.Heappears as antsy as me. “Herturning up out of the blue was a little surprising and when she came inside,Icouldn’t get a straight answer out of her regarding why she was there.WhenIasked if it was something to do with the apartment, she said no.Itwas only when…”

“When what?”Istraighten in my seat.

He stares at his feet. “AtChristmas, she asked about my son.Noone has ever asked me about him before.Thentoday, she brought him up again.”

I lean forward. “Whatdid she want to know?”

He releases a breath, like the world has been resting on his shoulders until this point. “Ifhe lived in town.Whydon’tIkeep in touch?DoIknow where he lives?”Hiseyes lift to mine. “I’vetried calling her several times, but after a few rings, it goes to voice mail.Icalled you becauseIwas, um, worried about her.AndIpresumed you were close.”

“She didn’t say where she was going?”Iask.

He shakes his head.

WhenMartinfirst called,Idropped byAly’sapartment before driving here.Likehim, all my calls went to voice mail too.

My brain screams at me.Thequestion that’s been brewing for days refuses to be pushed down any longer, butIcan’t.Isimply can’t let it break through the surface untilIspeak toAly.

“I appreciate you calling me.”Istand and grab my coat from the sofa. “I’lllet you know whenIfind her.I’msure she’s fine; she’s been busy with the restaurant.Youknow how it is?”

He stands, shoulders slumped as he fiddles with the cuff of his shirt. “Sheseems very accomplished.Areal firecracker like myJudy.”

My movements stop. “Judy?”

Grief taints his expression. “Mywife.Aformidable woman who—well, let’s say deserved a lot better.”

I stand there awkwardly asIwitness a reel of emotions play inMartin’seyes—his gray eyes.

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