Repeat - Kylie Scott Page 0,74
up about the messy insides of my skull to most people. It’s confronting all of the medical stuff. While it’s important, and I can see why others always inquire about it, dwelling on it doesn’t feel like moving forward. I’d rather move forward. Ed grabs his wallet and sunglasses.
“Sure there’s not something on your mind?” he asks, wrapping me up in his arms. “You seem a bit distracted.”
“Do you prefer previous me or new me?”
“I like you both for different reasons, if that makes sense.” He rests his forehead against mine. Quite possibly my favorite move of his. “I’ll have a word with Shannon, make sure she doesn’t question you again. People need to understand that you don’t remember them the way they remember you. Relationships are different now. They need to respect your boundaries.”
“It really is fine. I’m not that delicate.”
“I know, but I have a vested interest in keeping you happy.”
“Do you?”
“Absolutely,” he says, a playful glint in his eye. “When you’re in a good mood I get wake-up blow jobs.”
“That’s true.”
“And I get your smile. The real one where your eyes get kind of lit up and it just . . . damn. Let’s say I like it a lot.”
“You’re my favorite person in the whole wide world, did you know that?”
“Am I now?”
“Yes.” I take a deep breath and I want to say something. I need to say something. “Ed, I don’t want this to end.”
Something flashes across his face, an expression there and gone so fast I can’t read it. Doubt, maybe? Or hesitancy? But then it’s nothing but a memory, and he says, “I know, baby. Me neither.”
I exhale. There’s reason to hope. “Okay, then. Good.”
Chapter Fourteen
My day goes well until Detective Chen walks into the shop. There’s nothing wrong with the man. He’s been great. Honestly, however, apart from our phone call the other day, I’d done my best to shelve him. Willfully blanked his existence out of my life. It seemed easier. He brings back memories of those first scary days, waking up in the hospital and being so profoundly lost. And he’s a walking reminder that someone, somewhere, might be out to get me.
But his being here also means something might have happened regarding my assault and robbery. Perhaps I should be elated, but I’m not. My stomach sinks through the floor.
“Miss Johns.” He nods, slipping off his sunglasses. “Your sister mentioned you were working here. Hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
I nod and hold onto myself. “No, of course not.”
Fortunately, Iris is out having lunch with Antonio. Introducing the detective in charge of figuring out who tried to kill me would be a bit awkward. Despite the vandalism incident, the shop is a happy safe place for me. Maybe that’s compartmentalizing my life in some unhealthy way. But I’d like to keep it that way just the same.
“There’s been a development in the case,” he says. “A man has pleaded guilty to the first attack in the area near where you were assaulted.”
“Oh.” I blink. “Only the first attack?”
“That’s right.”
“But . . . how does that make sense?”
He clears his throat softly. “We have reason to believe that the attack on yourself was committed by someone else. Who, exactly, we don’t know yet.”
“A copycat?”
“Perhaps, yes. Although it is also possible that they are entirely unrelated.”
At first, I don’t know what to think. But then, I realize I was wrong. It makes perfect sense. “Shit.”
“The investigation is ongoing. Someone may still come forward with information relating to your case.” He really needs to practice his selfie face, because his smile isn’t soothing at all. “I just wanted to let you know.”
“So I was right: it is personal. The attack, then my car, and the window here . . .”
“Without any solid evidence it would be unwise to jump to conclusions. We don’t know anything for certain yet.”
And I give a look that can only be interpreted as “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Your work colleagues and friends at the time were questioned.”
“Few as they were.”
“If you can think of anyone else we might want to have a word with, please feel free to contact me.” His gaze is so sincere. Though Frances was so over all of that at the time. Tracking Ed on social media and God knows who else. “But, Miss Johns, it would be best to remain vigilant about your security. Don’t go places alone if it can be avoided, okay?”
I nod.
“Hopefully we’ll get a break in the