“They’re over-the-top.”
“So are you.” She wasn’t wrong. “I’ve already made coffee so you can start the caffeine infusion immediately.”
Gil hit End on the call, entered the kitchen, and made a show of eyeing the coffee pot with skepticism. “You know how to make coffee?”
Faith slid her own phone into her pocket. “I learned.”
“Is it any good?” Now he was poking the bear, and he knew it. Faith Malone didn’t do anything unless she did it well.
“I haven’t had any complaints.”
Gil kept pestering. “Luke wouldn’t complain.”
“Zane would.”
She had him there. Zane had moved in with Luke this spring and was a frequent, but not unwelcome, third wheel in Faith and Luke’s relationship. He would have had ample opportunity to comment on Faith’s coffee. And he wouldn’t hesitate.
Gil grabbed a mug from the counter. “When this is over, we need to talk about Zane.”
Faith’s brow wrinkled, and she traced a pattern on the kitchen counter. “Luke says he’s bottled up tight.”
“Tessa?”
“She’s bottled up tight too. I’ve tried.” Faith’s eyes softened in a way that was unusual for her, and he knew she was going to say something about Luke, because that was the only time she got that dreamy look on her face. “I never imagined I could be as happy as I am right now, Gil. And they could make each other happy if they would get over whatever their hang-up is.”
“He’s leaving soon, Faith.”
“I know.”
He poured a cup of coffee. “That may be the hang-up, and if it is, there’s no getting around it.”
“I don’t think that’s it. It’s big, but I don’t think it’s about the job.”
He took a sip. “When things settle, we’ll figure it out. And this coffee is great. Thank you.” That earned him a shoulder nudge as she walked past him.
“I’m outta here.”
“Faith?” She paused at the door. “I owe you.”
“Not keeping score, Gil.”
He followed her to the door, watched as she checked under her car, then climbed in. He held his breath for a few seconds until the car engine turned over. He continued his vigil until she was out of sight. Then he reset the security alarm and went about making the morning as calm and easy as he could for Ivy.
GIL PULLED INTOhis office’s parking lot at 8:30.
There was more to do than he had hours to do it. But his first order of business this morning was to learn everything he could about Ivy’s ex.
Abott Percy.
Initial searches revealed exactly what Ivy had communicated, but with added nuance. Abott Percy was six years older than Ivy. Hardly a deal breaker in the relationship department. And not all that interesting, considering she began her academic career early and set a blistering pace on her path to earning multiple degrees.
But what was interesting, and not in a good way, was that Abott Percy had a military background. The guy was a Marine. An officer. Did four years after college. Then left to get his master’s and eventually his PhD in bioengineering.
He did a tour in Afghanistan. Saw some combat.
Gil stared at the photo of Dr. Abott Percy from his University of Georgia website and compared it to the military records. Same guy. Same intensity in his eyes.
Somehow, listening to Ivy talk about Abott, calling him sweet and kind, Gil had created a visual that did not match the real man. He didn’t want to admit it, but hearing about Abott Percy hadn’t tweaked him nearly as much asseeingAbott Percy did.
