Chapter 14
Sawyer
Iletmyselfintothequiet house, tossing my keys on the kitchen counter. My mind is still on Alice and the way she looked at me tonight.
As confident as I make myself out to be, I sure chickened out when it came to kissing her.
Stripping out of my uniform in the bedroom, I trade it for worn jeans and a gray henley. The clothes feel like freedom after spending the evening in Alice’s living room, trying to concentrate on exam material while being distracted by how she tucked her legs under her in that armchair, how she pushed her glasses up when she was thinking. My heart is still beating faster than normal. Has been since I left her house.
The way Alice's face lit up when she offered to help me study. How she looked at me—really looked at me—like she was trying to figure me out.
Her grandmother’s house.That explains a lot about Alice—the old-fashioned furniture, the careful way she maintains everything, the sense that she’s preserving something important. The place felt lived-in, loved, safe.
And for two hours, sitting on that floral couch with study guides spread between us, I’d felt more relaxed than I have in years.
Running my hand through my hair, remembering. The way she looked at my mouth. How close we were. Another few seconds and I would have kissed her right there on her grandmother's couch.
Part of me wishes I had.
I take my beer to the living room and look at the study materials that we used tonight, scattered across the coffee table. The same guides I’ve been struggling through alone for months. But tonight, with Alice patiently walking me through the budget scenarios I always mess up, everything clicked.
She’s a natural teacher. Patient but direct, encouraging without being condescending. And the way she got excited when I finally understood a concept I’d been struggling with.
The study guides call to me. For once, I actually feel motivated to review the material. Alice’s technique with the flashcards really did help, and I can hear her voice in my head: “You’ve got this.”
But as I try to focus on leadership principles, my mind keeps drifting back to that moment on the couch. The way she bit her lip when she was concentrating, how she’d moved closer to help me with a question, the smell of her shampoo when she leaned over to point out something on the page.
She doesn't know about the black SUV yet. That I've been documenting it. That I think someone's targeting her.
But the way she looked at me tonight—like she was trying to decide whether kissing me was worth the risk.
Lila stopped looking at me like that years before she died. By the end, she looked at me like I was an obligation, someone to get through conversations with before moving on to more interesting things.
Alice looks at me like I matter.
The realization sits in my chest, heavy and hopeful at the same time.
She's hiding something though. I saw it in her eyes when I asked if she was okay at her door. The way she checked over her shoulder.
Whatever she's scared of, I'll figure it out. And I'll make sure she's safe.
I finish my beer and gather up the study materials, but my mind is already planning when I'll see her again. Lunch tomorrow. Coffee at the Cozy Cup. Another study session.
I pull out my phone, then remember I don't even have her number.
Idiot. You spent two hours at her house and forgot to ask.
Tomorrow. I'll get it when I see her in person.
Slow down, Edwards. Don’t scare her off.
But as I get ready for bed, I can’t stop smiling. Tonight felt like the beginning of something real, something worth pursuing carefully.
For the first time since Lila died, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
Chapter 15
Alice
