Page 27 of His Reward
Movement out of the corner of my eye draws my attention.I glance at a guy who’s leaning his bike against a bench several feet away, then return to staring at some cute yellow goslings following their mama across the park.
“It’ll be a while before I have anyfun activities.I’m not dating anyone.He just got out of the army, so I don’t think he’s dating either.”
Although, I don’t know that for sure, and that bothers me too.
“He’s ex-military and he’s single?How old is he?”
Tension tightens my brow at the change in her voice.It sounds like she bumped up fromidle curiositytointerested.
“Uh… I think he’s almost forty.”
“Ooh.He’s younger than I thought.”
“Still an older guy, though.”It’s a struggle to keep the edge out of my tone.“He’s nearly twice our age.”
“I like older guys.Maturity is sexy.”
I scuff my right foot over the grass, scowling at the idyllic scenery straight ahead.
This feels like that time Grandma Sadie gifted me a chocolate assortment for my birthday.Daphne begged me to share some with her when I wanted all sixteen pieces to myself.
Penny already likes what she heard about Malcolm.He’s even more of a tantalizing treat with his handsome face and fit body.The moment she lays eyes on him, she’ll definitely want a piece.And maybe Malcolm won’t mind either because Penny is a beautiful person inside and out too.
None of this should bother me.Both of them are good people who I care about.I should be happy if they were to meet and share a connection.Yet that thought makes the ham sandwich weigh heavier in my stomach.
“Anyway, the reason I called last night is because the police wants Kevin’s contact info,” I say, eager to change the topic.“Expect a call from them.”
“Why Kevin?”
Her defensive tone makes me hesitate before I answer.
“When the police asked me if anyone had a key to my apartment, I told them about the time you lent Kevin your copy, and that he never returned it to me like we agreed.”
“He gave it back to me.I was supposed to drop by and return it myself but I’ve been so busy.He couldn’t have been the intruder.”
“I’m not saying he is, but it would be good if the police can rule him out.”
She’s silent for a moment and I’m worried she’s upset with me.
“He did something kind of creepy when we were younger, though.We were on a family vacation at a lakehouse, and while I was in the shower, I caught him spying on me through a crack in the door.His face got so red when I yelled at him.He looked like he was going to cry.He said he didn’t know I was in there.I knew he was lying and just wanted tosee.”
“See what?”
“Boobs.”She laughs.“He’s always been shy around girls, and he was worse when he was younger.I think he spied on me because he’d never had a girlfriend, and he was curious to see what a girl looked like naked.”
I make a face.“But you’re his cousin.”
She laughs again.“Obviously, he was desperate.I felt sorry for him after I got over being mad.Nothing like that ever happened again.He’s been a perfect gentleman around me.”She sighs.“He’s awkward but he’s not malicious.”
Of course she would defend her cousin.If she were accusing one of my family members of a crime, I’d defend them too.
Even though she tried to convince me that her cousin is harmless, her story did the complete opposite.I don’t want to ruin our friendship, so I keep my suspicions about Kevin to myself and ask about her mom’s health.Our call eventually ends on a promise to hang out some time soon.
Malcolm’s words last night drift through my mind.
Everybody wears a mask.
Kevin might be a gentleman around Penny because she caught him in the act, but what if he’s a creep to other women, spying on them during private moments like he did to her?
