Page 52 of Known By You
“Do you have to miss often?” I asked, that expression too different not to ask.
She waved a hand and straightened her apron. “Nah. Occasionally, I have a meeting that pops up, but not as often lately.” She grinned and her brows rose. “Your date’s here.”
“Oh, we’re not uh… well, yeah. Thanks.” And yes, I had a master’s degree and had briefed senior State and Defense department staff, but my composure in the face of a handsome man meeting me for donuts was apparently nil.
Speaking of, said man looked unfazed as he wandered in and flashed me a grin that made my insides twist. And right behind him, Cookie entered the shop.
“Morning, Liz,” he said, his voice still rumbly from sleep.
“Morning, Kenny. Or do I call you Barbie? I’m never really sure.” I sort of wanted to push and see what he said.
“How about you call me whatever you want?”
My heart flipped, and I tried my best not to read the innuendo in his tone, but it was impossible.
“Kenny, then,” I said quietly.
His smile was soft, almost secret. “Works for me.”
Elise stood behind the counter and beamed at us. “Aren’t you two adorable?”
We both chuckled and stepped up behind Cookie, who’d finally caught Elise’s gaze.
“Morning, Luc,” she said with a small smile and a flush to her cheeks.
Cookie nodded and spoke so quietly I could hardly hear him. “Glazed, please.”
She blinked but nodded, punching in the order and then fluttering away to get his donuts. Kenny and I eyed each other, and I was relieved he saw it, too. There was something here and it was weird. Clearly, Elise kind of liked Cookie, enough to blush when she greeted him, but he was not himself. He was on the quiet end from what I’d seen, but not like this.
Once Cookie had paid and thecompletesilence between the two ended, Kenny moved up to order, then insisted I do the same. Minutes later, we were seated at a two-top by the front window as though Elise wanted to show us off, but instead of being self-conscious, I just listened.
He told me about the kitten this morning, told me about a dream he’d had, and right as he was saying, “We should talk about last night,” both our phones buzzed.
The timing couldn’t be a coincidence, so we both checked our messages to find the same thing.
There’d been an incident at Jack’s and he and Evie were requesting we come to the house immediately.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Kenny
Jack looked better rested than he had when we’d seen him a few days ago, but Evie looked far worse for wear.
All thoughts of Liz, our mind-blowing kiss, the feel of her under my hands, and everything I wanted with her, plus the healthy number of “how on earth can this work between us?” questions rolling around my brain got shoved into a corner while I focused on the here and now.
“Walk us through what happened, if you don’t mind. I know you’ve already spoken with Chief Whitaker, but it’ll help us do whatever we can to make sure you’re safe if you can catch us up from your perspective.” I hated to make her talk about anything she didn’t want to, but they’d asked us to come, even after reporting the incident to the police.
Jack sat on the couch one cushion away. He gave her space, but was close enough to support her when she needed. Again, I wondered at their dynamic. Clearly not aboyfriend or even someone interested in her, or I’d suspect he’d be hovering closer by.
I sat in a super comfy yet stylish chair perpendicular to Evie, and Liz stood somewhere over my shoulder.
“I got a call two nights ago that was just heavy breathing,” Evie said, eyes downcast. “I didn’t say anything because it just felt like a prank or… I don’t know.” She shook her head, seemingly frustrated with herself. “Then I started getting texts from a bunch of anonymous numbers saying how I’m a cheater and other lovely things.”
Her hands shook as she pushed a blond lock behind her ear.
“And this morning?” Liz prompted gently.
She swallowed and finally looked up, eyes meeting Liz’s. “This morning, I picked up a call and it was him.” She repeated the explicit and threatening message from her fiancé, the words disgustingly cruel, graphic, and concerning.
