Michael appeared from his office, took one look at my face, and sighed. “They both left?”
“Jack went after her.” I turned to him. “What is going on with those two?”
“What do you mean?”
“You saw it. That whole…” I gestured vaguely. “Whatever that was. The tension. The ignoring. Jack chasing after her.” I moved closer to him, lowered my voice conspiratorially. “Come on. Give me the gossip. I know you know something.”
His mouth twitched. “I don’t know anything.”
“Liar. You’re Jack’s best friend. He tells you everything.”
“Does he?”
“Michael.” I poked his chest. “Spill. What happened between them?”
“Why don’t you ask them?”
“Because they both ran away before I could.” I poked him again. “Come on. Please? I’m going insane here with nothing to do but wonder about things. Give me something.”
He caught my hand before I could poke him a third time. Held it against his chest. “You’re nosy.”
“I prefer curious.”
“You’re definitely nosy.”
“It’s my best friend and my brother. I’m entitled to be nosy about this.”
“No, you’re not.” But he was smiling now. That small smile that made my stomach flutter. “Stay out of it, Claudette.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re no fun.”
“I’m plenty of fun. I’m just not a gossip.”
“Everyone’s a gossip about the right topic. This is clearly the right topic.” I tried to pull my hand back but he held on. “What if they’re secretly in love? What if there’s this whole dramatic history I don’t know about?”
“Then it’s their history to tell you.”
“But I want to know now.”
“Too bad.” He tugged me closer. “Stop meddling.”
“I’m not meddling. I’m investigating.”
“You’re definitely meddling.”
I looked up at him. At the amusement in his eyes. At the way he was still holding my hand against his chest where I could feel his heartbeat under my palm.
“You’re really not going to tell me anything?” I asked.
“Not a word.” He zipped his lips.
“Not even a hint?” I pouted.
“Nope.”
“You’re the worst.” I rolled my eyes.
“So you keep saying.” His thumb brushed across my knuckles. “And yet you keep staying.”
