“The car. You thought I was going to break it.”
“You almost did.”
“Speaking of girlfriends, I ran into yours at the bookstore today.”
“Who are you talking about? I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Kristen. The girl who came over and left.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he says, pulling into his driveway. “She’s just a friend.”
“A friend who comes over unannounced and leaves clothes at your house? Sounds like more than a friend.”
“That’s all she is.” He shuts the engine off.
“Does she have a boyfriend?”
“Not that I know of.”
I hesitate, then just say it. “I overhead you talking to her on the phone and it sounded like she was angry I was there. She wouldn’t be angry if you were just friends.”
“You were spying on me?” he asks, getting angry.
“No. I just overheard you when I was walking to the bathroom.”
He shakes his head. “This is what I was worried about.”
“What?”
“You. Listening in on my conversations. Asking me all these questions.”
“I wasn’t listening in. I just heard you talking.”
He turns to me, his eyes narrowed. “I’m starting to think you showing up on my property wasn’t an accident. And the way you keep finding reasons to come over?”
“What are you trying to say?” I ask, hearing the suspicion in his voice.
“Are you doing this forhim?” He turns to me. “Are you spying on me for Braden?”
Chapter 16
“You really think I’d do that?” I ask.
“I don’t know. How do I know I can trust you?”
“You let me drive your car and I didn’t destroy it.”
“That doesn’t prove anything. How do I know you showing up here wasn’t all a setup?”
I pause. “Maybe you’re right and this isn’t a good idea. I’m not sure I trust you either.”
We’re both quiet, sitting in the car and staring out the window.
“I’m not spying on you,” I say. “But if that’s what you think then—”
“It’s not.” He looks down. “I shouldn’t have said it. I’m just paranoid, I guess.”
“I am too. I don’t trust people so doing this plan with you is making me nervous.”
