Page 22 of Lorcan
“That was just a week ago.”
His gaze sharpened.
“You told me to google you. I googled you. In truth, I had some idea of who you were before we met. But not your story. I don’t think I need to tell you that therapists need to have an open mind. I didn’t have any preconceptions of you—except that a jury had found you innocent.”
He shook his head. “They didn’t see enough to convict without certainty. They still deliberated for almost two days.”
I held that intense gaze. “Or they were doing what they’d been told to do—go through the evidence carefully and consider each piece. The prosecutors were a little overzealous in theircharging.” This much I’d gleaned from the analysis of the case—so many charges and so many elements of the crimes to be proven.
“The prosecutor had it out for me.”
“Why?”
“You know, Arnav was never able to figure that out—but he was convinced of it as well. They tried me in Surrey because that’s where the fraud took place—the credit union is located there. I didn’t know the crown prosecutor, and I also don’t know if things would’ve been different. Arnav knows the prosecutors in Cedar Valley, and he swears this case never should’ve been brought.” He rubbed his temple. “And there’s this one cop who is convinced, I’m certain, that I killed Stephen and dumped his body. That I’m somehow sitting on sixteen million dollars and am waiting for—” He gestured wildly. “What is that asshole thinking? I live in a crap apartment on scraps, and he thinks I’m sitting on a windfall. Waiting for what? Like Stephen, why wouldn’t I have taken off? Fucked off to places unknown?” He clapped his hand over his mouth.
I chuckled. “No children here. No sensitive ears, either. Trust me, I’ve heard it all before. I lived in a co-ed dorm in university. Very little shocks me.”
“Still.” He winced. “I do try. I mean construction crews are notorious for their language, but I always tried to keep a rein on my guys. And women—more and more. Riley’s crew? We’re almost at gender parity. I think that’s great.” He smiled. “That said, Stella can say stuff that would make a sailor blush. She’s got quite a mouth on her.”
“And you like her.”
“Yeah, I really do. They’re all great people. And they’ve accepted me—trusted me even when maybe they shouldn’t.” He shivered again.
I stepped closer.
He didn’t back away.
Telegraphing my movements, I advanced again.
He held his ground.
I grasped his biceps and rubbed his jacket vigorously up and down his arms. “I’m cold just watching you.”
“This is the only nice jacket I’ve got.”
The leather had a supple feel to it. Certainly expensive.
“You didn’t need to wear that on my account. Wear whatever’s warmest.” I held his gaze. “Not that I don’t find you super sexy in this…”
He bit his lower lip.
I resisted the urge to kiss him. Because it was just way too soon for that.
Chapter Seven
Lorcan
As I dined on my meatloaf with gravy and a side of fries from Fifties diner, and Cody ate his chicken Caesar wrap, I could admit life was looking up. That observation was probably assisted by the fact we sat in his south-facing solarium, on lounge chairs, and gazed over both Cedar Valley and, as he’d promised, Mount Baker.
He sighed. “The view never gets old.”
“Yeah.” I sniffed. When we’d come in from the cold, my nose had started running.
Totally gross.
He handed me a napkin.
I wiped my nose.
