Crashing into Fate (Maple Grove #25) - Lynn Hagen Page 0,5

dead body before,” Arlan whispered. “Now I can’t get that guy’s face out of my head.”

Arlan turned and walked away from the backroom, heading to the seat Lewis had occupied before the human had rushed in. He sat, and then curled his legs under him, hugging the hot mug to his chest.

Lewis watched him. Arlan seemed out of it, as if he couldn’t believe this was real. That was a genuine look that solidified Lewis’s belief that Arlan was innocent.

Then the smell hit him. It slammed right into his chest. The scent of a crackling fireplace and jasmine. It made his tiger go nuts, snarling to get free and get to Arlan.

That intense feeling meant only one thing.

Arlan was Lewis’s mate.

* * * *

Arlan was about to lose the job he hadn’t even started. Mike looked like heads were going to roll, and Arlan was dead certain his would be the first.

He still couldn’t believe Lewis had carried a dead body out of the room. If Arlan had known one guy was going to kill the other, he would have… What would he have done? Gotten killed, too?

After taking a sip of his hot coffee, Arlan grimaced. He usually didn’t take it black, but the heat had felt good in his hands. Now he wished he would have asked for sugar and cream.

And Lewis? Arlan wasn’t sure what to make of the guy, but he had a feeling Lewis was looking at him as if he’d set the fire and killed the stranger.

Too bad Arlan couldn’t go back to his room. He was chilled to his bones and wanted to forget this ever happened. But Mike might fire him. Then what? Arlan had nowhere to go.

“Do you remember anything else about tonight?” Lewis asked.

Arlan knew the situation was important, but he was getting tired of being asked that question. He’d told Lewis everything that had happened.

“I just need a minute,” Arlan said. “Tonight has been insane, and I just need a moment to breathe.”

“Anything little thing that could help the investigation.”

Arlan set his cup aside and stood. “I’m gonna need you to climb all the way off my back.”

Lewis’s dark brows dipped. “I’ve never heard it said like that.”

Arlan held up a hand. “All the way off, buddy. I told you what I heard and saw, and there’s nothing else to add. I wasn’t in on this, had no part of it, and wish I would have kept my nose out of it. Now I might be fired and have nowhere to go. This is a nightmare.”

“Why would you get fired?” Lewis seemed genuinely perplexed.

“Did you see Mike’s reaction?” Arlan waved at the office door. “He’s ready to kill someone. God, bad timing. I didn’t mean actually kill someone.”

Arlan gazed at the window, watching as the firemen did their job. He felt helpless, like he could have done something more. His leg still hurt from trying to kick the door down, but that wasn’t as important as someone losing their life.

“He’s just pissed,” Lewis said. “Not at you, though.”

Like Arlan was going to believe that. His luck was for shit lately, and he already felt his neck on the chopping block.

“I need to go watch some cat videos and center myself.” Arlan blew out a breath as he turned to Lewis. “Why are you still here?”

He’d just met the guy half an hour ago, and Lewis owed Arlan nothing.

“Do you need another cup of coffee?”

It hadn’t gone unnoticed that Lewis hadn’t answered him, but Arlan lost the opportunity to ask it again when Mike walked in.

Arlan held his breath. “How bad was it?”

Mike rubbed a hand over his head. “There’s a dead body. It’s bad. The destruction to the room was limited. It didn’t spread to the other rooms. Sheriff Copache wants to talk to you.”

Arlan didn’t want to repeat his story again but knew he would have no choice. Also, he was dying to ask Mike if he blamed him for what had happened.

“Arlan thinks you’re pissed at him,” Lewis said from across the room.

“Oh my god. Did you just throw me under the bus?” Arlan gaped at Lewis, although he’d wanted to ask Mike. “We are so not friends anymore.”

Lewis’s smile pissed him off. The sexy bastard. “I didn’t know we’d become friends.” He pressed a hand over his heart. “I’m devastated.”

“You’re an ass,” Arlan growled. “This isn’t a joke.”

Mike watched the exchange for a moment. “Why would I be mad at you? None of this is your