Bailed Out (The Anna Albertini Files #2) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,26
doubt had come from his mama. “I’m just glad you came here and didn’t drive to Las Vegas or something.”
I chuckled and accepted the juice before turning to Tessa. “He braided my hair last night when I was done throwing up. How impressive is that?”
Her green eyes danced, and she looked toward Nick. “You know how to braid hair?”
A slight red wandered across his very Italian cheekbones. “I have many female cousins, and believe me, I spent my share of time babysitting when I was in high school. I can also paint fingernails like an expert.” The grin he shared with my older sister warmed me throughout.
Oh, this might have been a good thing after all.
I dug into the eggs. “I take it you two have some sort of agreement not to discuss the case and the fact that you want to put her in jail, Nick?”
He lost the grin. “We aren’t discussing the case. Period.”
Tessa ducked her head and ate more eggs, not noticing that his gaze had strayed to her again.
I hid my smile and finished my breakfast. Nicolo Basanelli was a bloodhound on a case, and I had no doubt he would’ve discovered the truth no matter what. But having him being especially inspired by my very pretty sister was a good bonus at the moment.
Nick studied me. “How are you feeling? I still think we should consult a doctor.”
“I’m fine.” Truthfully, I felt okay now. “No aftereffects, and I’ll be careful next time.”
He shook his head. “Did you eat the entire pan of brownies?”
Tessa tried to stifle her laugh but then gave up. “We had to throw those poor flowers away.”
Heat filtered into my face, but it was nice to hear Tessa laugh, considering the week she’d just had. “I’ll get you new ones.” I took my empty plate to the sink. “I have to get going. Don’t let me keep you guys from relaxing.”
Tessa jumped up and brought her plate over. “I need to go, too. I’m still a defendant, you know.”
Well, that was true. And now I was starting to care about Basanelli’s future—just in case my sister was in it. “All right.” I fumbled a little and managed to thank Nick again before heading out with my wet clothes safely tied in a plastic bag.
Tess’s car, a newish Volkswagen Bug that she’d leased, sat next to mine. “Don’t even think it,” she said, nudging me toward my car.
I gave her my most innocent look. “What?”
“Nothing.” She didn’t bite. “I let mom know we wouldn’t make the family barbecue today in Silverville because we both have to work. Wasn’t sure if you’d feel up to going.”
“I don’t,” I admitted. I loved my family, but being around a lot of people right now didn’t sound like fun.
She nodded. “I really do have to go to work, and then I’m staying in Donna’s guest room if you want to come by for dinner. The police haven’t released my apartment yet.”
I paused by my door. “Thanks for coming, Tess.”
A slight wind off the lake blew a couple of tendrils from her ponytail to dance around her smooth skin. “Always.” She smiled and jumped in her Bug.
Oh, I finally had a project. Slipping into my seat, I started my car and headed away from the condos and around the lake to my cottage. Who should I get as an accomplice? I had to be careful who I chose. My thoughts were still clamoring around when I parked and walked by the pretty smattering of Petunias I’d planted that led to my front door, catching sight of a large figure lounging on my porch. “Aiden.”
His gaze raked me, head to toe. “Nice clothes. Basanelli’s?”
Chapter 10
Why did my entire body react to him? My toes tingled, my fingers clenched, and my abdomen flipped over. Yeah, I’d had a crush on him for years while he’d been away, but then we’d gotten together, and I knew how he kissed. How he had the ability to concentrate so fully on me that I felt both safe and challenged in the same second. So inspired. I drew in air. “What are you doing here?”
He stretched to his feet like a lazy panther. Today he wore ripped jeans, motorcycle boots, and a washed-out green tee that showed his impressive biceps. Motorcycle riding clothing. Interesting.
“I wanted to talk to you,” he said.
“You have my phone number.” If he had ridden his bike, where was it? Down the road and behind a tree? Why?