We have a lunch date?
Sort of. I need to talk to you, and we need privacy.
Should I be worried?
No, I’ve got your back.
Matt?
I swear I could read her ‘don’t play games with me’ tone in the text.
I’ll tell you everything at lunch.
Fine.
This time I could see her huffing and crossing her arms.
What does it mean that I can?
I was an observant guy—it was the difference between life and death in both my military and civilian careers—but this felt different.
I didn’t watch Madi because I had to.
I want to.
I wanted to recognize every tell she didn’t realize she had.
I wanted to learn every nuance of her different smiles and tones.
I wanted to hear all her hopes and dreams.
I didn’t want to catch feeling for Madi Sheppard, but I had a feeling it was too late.
Maybe it always had been.
It didn’t matter. I couldn’t act on them because breaking Madi’s heart when I failed her,like I did my sister, was something I wouldn’t risk doing.
Chapter 23
Madi
“There was a fire at The Chophouse yesterday.”
Ignoring the sinking feeling in my gut, I asked, “Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, it happened in a dumpster behind the building.”
Matt let me process the information.
“It’s about me, isn’t it?” The fear in my voice embarrassed me.
Well, fuck that.I’m a strong, independent woman, and I won’t let Paul intimidate me.
“We think so.”
“Paul?”
“He has a mostly solid alibi.”
