Page 72 of Into These Eyes
“Somethin’ up, Gav?” Benny chuckles.
Apparently unimpressed, Gavin grabs a handful of sand and flings it at Benny’s legs. The older man only laughs harder.
“C’mon, love, let’s leave grumpy pants alone for a bit.” Benny takes a wide arc around Gavin until he reaches me, then holdsout his elbow. I curl a hand around the inside of his arm and let him guide me in the direction of the car.
When we reach the hard-packed sand, I take a quick glance over my shoulder at Gavin. His forehead rests on the arms he’s crossed over his knees. I know Benny’slove birdscomment has everything to do with the sudden change in his demeanour.
“Don’t worry, love. He just needs a few minutes.”
“For what?”
His gaze turns curious. “Why else would a man not want to stand up right after snugglin’ with a girl?”
I gape at him. “We weren’tsnuggling,” I protest. He chuckles and shakes his head. That’s when understanding thumps into my dumb brain.
Somethin’ up, Gav?
I’m instantly thrown back to the other day, outside his childhood home, when the same thing happened. He’d been mortified. My heart speeds up. I don’t have to imagine how much he craves physical affection. Because with every look, every smile and every touch, he’s making me feel it, too. And I’m no sure how much longer I can keep that longing buried deep inside, no matter how much I want to.
“Young people. Totally oblivious ta what’s right in front of ‘em,” Benny says, patting my hand. “Hopefully, by the time he catches up, he’ll have stopped wantin’ to strangle the livin’ daylights outta me.”
Turning my face away from Benny so all I can see is the ocean, I smile, so glad Gavin has this man in his life. The fact that they rib each other shows how close they are.
It’s not until I drop them off at the caravan park, that I realise I’ve had one of the best days of my life.
The next morning, I explain to my boss what I’d like to do for Gavin. He agrees that if I’m successful, it’ll be great publicity for the firm and, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my current cases, he gives me the go-ahead.
When lunchtime arrives, I meet Pete and tell him the good news, eager for more advice now that I have what he claimed I needed. To my surprise, he’s not enthusiastic at all. He’s doubtful the recollection of a seven-year-old boy, sixteen years ago, will be enough to convince the court of Gavin’s innocence. Before I get a chance to go through the details, Pete cuts lunch short when he receives a call, leaving me wondering why he’s behaving this way. I’m not buying that he simply wants me to step away from acting for Gavin because I don’t need the added stress.
Early that evening, I place my laptop on the dining table, eager to get to work on Liam’s affidavit so it’s ready for him to sign when he returns from the mines. In an effort to remain professional and detached, I don’t bothered changing out of my work clothes like I usually do.
While I sit there, staring at the blinking cursor, the house ticks and cracks as the wind outside picks up, amplifying the silence of my empty house. Reminding me again how alone I am.
Getting up, I pour a glass of wine, hoping it might help while I type out the details of my mother’s murder.
Glass in hand, I stride over to the living room and flick on the TV for company while I work. As I toss the remote on the couch, something by the front door catches my eye.
A piece of paper lies on the floor. As if it’s been shoved under the door. I hadn’t seen it earlier because I always enter through the garage.
Frowning, I hurry over and pluck it up. It’s crisp and white and folded in half. An innocuous piece of A4 copy paper.
Until I unfold it.
Three words stare back.
And I’m startled by how fast a harmless piece of paper can turn sinister.
Chapter 24
Gavin
Climbing from an Uber after yet another failed job interview, wind whips at my hair and thunder rumbles in the distance as I hurry to my caravan. When I let myself inside, the humidity’s so thick it’s an effort to draw a breath.
The moment I collapse on the bed, my phone rings.
Jamie.
Instantly forgetting about my zero employment prospects, I grin. “Hey.”
