me wonder who he had lost.
“I didn’t mean to poke at a sore spot.” I withdrew with a sigh for the waffles I could no longer stomach. “I should probably let you get ready for work.” I jingled the bag still on my shoulder. “I’m going to the gym with a friend.”
The noise caught his attention, and he stared at the bag, and then at me, until sweat rolled down my spine. Shaking it had been a mistake.
“Got room for one more?” He patted his stomach. “I could stand to burn a few calories.”
Crap. Crap. Crap.
“It’s a women’s fitness center,” I lied like a rug. “I needed a place open twenty-four hours, and it was closest. Plus, fewer overnight creepers.”
“Gotcha.” He kept an eye on the bag. “I might start running through your neighborhood if you don’t mind.”
The statement held the weight of a question. Almost an accusation.
Breathe, Addie. He’s not suspicious. You’re being paranoid.
“Why would I mind?” I shoved the bag behind my back, grimacing when it clanked against the counter. “There’s even a bike trail you could use.”
“Your neighbors will see me coming and going.” A shrug twitched his shoulders. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted that yet.”
See? He was being considerate. That was sweet. Definitely not suspicious.
“They’ll figure it out sooner or later.” I noticed his phone on the table and bit my lip to avoid asking about Grier to deflect his interest in my bag. Until we exchanged vows, his business was his business. I could hardly demand full disclosure from him without doing the same. “Might as well give them something juicy to talk about.”
I regretted the flippant remark the second it passed my lips. I never would have made it had I not been distracted, and, okay, panicked. My family had given the neighbors plenty to talk about over the years. Hadley’s sickness. Our poverty. Hadley’s death. Mom’s death. Dad’s alcoholism. Speculation as to what I did to keep the lights on. Or who I did.
Gossip was cheap, and necromancers loved a good bargain.
“I’ll use the gym at the barracks.” His gaze touched on the windows as if he might catch the neighbors peeking through them. “You don’t need more on your plate than you’ve already got.”
“You’re a nice guy, Boaz.” I’d had my doubts, given his reputation, but he was proving to be more than a handsome face. “I’m glad about that.”
“I have my moments,” he said quietly, not looking at me. “I’m trying, for you.” He attempted a smile, but it didn’t stick. “You’re nice too. You deserve the effort.”
A car horn blasting in the driveway spared me from overanalyzing what he’d said and why he couldn’t meet my eyes as he said it.
“My ride is here.” I tucked the bag behind me. “See you later?”
“I’m not sure where the night will take me.” He glanced up then. “I would like to try for dinner, if you don’t have plans.”
Beep.
Beep.
Beeeeeeeeep.
Cass, who must have snuck out the window, hadn’t wasted time circling back for me.
“No plans.” I backed out of the kitchen. “Dinner sounds good.”
“Let me walk you out.” He flashed a smile as he edged around me. “It’s the least I can do.”
“No.” I threw myself at him. Literally. Like I was bearhugging him to prevent him from opening the door and IDing the car in the driveway. “I’m late for Zumba class.” I was going to murder Cass for drawing attention to herself and her ride after I warned her Boaz saw us last night. “No time for chivalry.” I tipped back my head. “I’ve got to run, or I’ll miss it.”
The excess of affection earned me a curious glance, but he just smiled. “All right.”
“Bye.” I patted him on the chest. “Be safe out there.”
Boaz cut his eyes to the crack in the door when I opened it, and I was about to slam it behind me when he slid his gaze over me to fasten onto the car and its driver. “You too.”
Only after I shot from the house like a cat with a firecracker tied to its tail did I replay those last seconds.
You too.
Did that mean bye too? Or be safe too?
And if he wanted me to be safe… What did he think I was up to?
Something told me not Zumba.
Nine
Boaz watched Adelaide scramble into the Ferrari he recognized from the last crime scene with a tight smile for the driver. The glimpse he caught of the blonde behind the wheel made him more curious about his