Page 140 of Chasing Shelter

She sent a huff in my direction. “I don’t appreciate your skepticism, young lady.”

“Watch out,” Thea warned. “Heryoung ladyis the highest insult.”

I couldn’t help my laugh. “Sorry, Lolli. I believe in you. But having Walter practice with you might not be a bad idea.” I sent him a wink.

Lolli gave him a once-over. “How’s your flexibility?”

Walter made a show of lifting his hands in the air and then reaching down to his toes. “Following you to yoga every week has its benefits.”

I put a hand over my heart as I turned to Thea. “Swoon.”

“I know, right?” she said.

Lolli waved him off. “How about your strength?”

Walter flexed his biceps and held the arm out for her to feel. “What do you think I get from cleaning all the massive pots and pans?”

I tried not to giggle as Lolli felt him up and instead moved to drop the cup of coffee off for Harrison, who’d been seated in a corner for a few hours with what seemed to be casefiles. “Here you go. Is there anything else I can get you?”

Harrison looked up and smiled. “All good. Thanks for keeping me in caffeine.”

“Happy to. And the entertainment’s free.”

He chuckled as he took in Lolli comparing Walter’s two biceps. “When is she going to cave and head down the aisle with the poor guy?”

“I don’t know, but I can’t wait to see her outfit when she does.”

“I’m not sure any of us are prepared for that,” Harrison muttered.

“You’re probably right.”

His expression shifted then as if he were trying to study me a bit closer. “Are you holding up okay? Trace said you got the new security system in place at your house.”

I shifted as if I could avoid the reminder of what was swirling around me. “I’m good. We’re being careful. Maybe not as careful as Linc and Trace would like, but nothing but a twelve-person security team and drone coverage would make them happy.”

It had been a battle to get them to settle for the back door being locked and chained and a squad car stationed out front. They’d finally given in.

One corner of Harrison’s mouth kicked up, but it quickly dropped again. “You and Trace…”

He let the words hang, and I winced. “It just sort of happened. I wasn’t looking for it, but?—”

“It found you,” Harrison broke in.

“I guess it did. Sometimes, when something’s right, it doesn’t wait around for you to be ready.”

A little hint of sadness filtered into Harrison’s gaze. “You might be right about that.”

I wanted to tell him that he’d find the right girl. The timing might be inconvenient or the pairing unexpected, but it would knock him sideways in the best possible way. I didn’t, though. It felt too much like overstepping or placating. Instead, I just said, “Flag me down if you need another cup.”

I headed back to Lolli and Walter’s playful bickering and restocking with Thea. Soon, the lunch rush hit, and we waded throughorders and tables until that eased. As it did, I saw Beth standing by Harrison’s table, her iced latte in hand. They traded some words as he packed up, and then Beth took the table next to the one he’d been sitting at, opening her own files.

Realization dawned.

Rounding the bakery case, I headed straight for her table. Beth looked up as I approached, her eyes widening a fraction at what I was sure was the very annoyed expression on my face.

“H-hey, Ellie.”

“He’s having you guys watch me, isn’t he?”

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