Page 35 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“No, a side project.” He laid a throw pillow in his lap. “Stretch out. I’ll turn on a movie.”

“How are you even awake?” I lay down on my side and pulled a throw over me.

He patted my hip. “Just am.”

While he searched for something to watch, I closed my eyes. The next thing I knew, Garrett nudged my shoulder.

“I’d carry you to bed, but my abs aren’t up to it yet.” His lips brushed my temple. “I’m going to turn in.”

I wasn’t sure being kissed like that fit in most people’s friend zone, but it felt nice. I reminded myself not to say that out loud. “Did you enjoy the movie?”

“I fell asleep. When I almost tipped over on top of you, I decided it was time to go to bed.” He rubbed my back as I sat up.

I shuffled down the hall. “Wake me if you need anything.”

He stayed in my doorway until I was tucked in bed. “Same. Good night.”

When it came to sleep schedules, we were as different as night and day.

Chapter 11

Holding my bathrobe closed, I opened the front door. “Officer Gomez, you’re early. Come on in. Garrett should be out in a minute or two.”

The guy filled up the doorway, and his gaze fixed on me. It dropped ever so slightly, but only for half a second. “You?” He closed his eyes and rubbed two fingers up and down on his forehead. “I’m confused. At the hospital, you said you didn’t know this guy and that he was a stranger who you’d picked up off the side of the road. And—”

“Oh, I haven’t talked to you since—”

He put up a hand. “Let me finish.”

I sighed and forced a smile. “Go ahead.”

“You did say that y’all had abond.” He added air quotes, which just irritated me. “I wasn’t too surprised to find you in his hospital room, but here? That’s some bond.”

“Are you coming in or not? As my dad would say, we don’t want to heat the entire town.”

He stepped inside.

I slammed the door. “Are you finished now?”

Nodding, he scanned the house. “Nice place.”

“Because of how beat up he was, I didn’t recognize Garrett. And for reasons Iwill notexplain to you, I’m staying here and helping him as he recovers.”

His lips curled into a smile. “The reasons seem pretty obvious.”

Fire raged inside, and I let go of the robe and popped my hands onto my hips. “You don’t knowsquat.”

He stared at my swimsuit a second before his gaze snapped to something over my shoulder.

“I see you’ve met Tessa.” Garrett walked up and pointed at the kitchen counter. “Why don’t we have a seat over there?”

Officer Gomez nodded in my direction. “Miss Best.” Then he strolled to the counter.

Garrett lifted his eyebrows. “You okay?”

I shrugged, then blew out a breath, half expecting to see flames. “He’s pompous and aggravating. Did you hear the implication dripping from his words?” I kept my voice at a whisper because I wasn’t going to give Deputy Dense the satisfaction of hearing me gripe. “I’m going to run back and change.”

“I’ll talk to him.” Garrett bumped my hand.

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