Her cheeks had gone pink again. That was twice in one day. Rafe stretched so he could see her screen. She caught him and turned away, shooting him a disapproving glare.
His curiosity piqued, Rafe kept trying to catch a glimpse of her phone as he stacked the dishes on the table.
“Will you stop it?” She turned the screen for him to see. “It’s from Ken at work. He asked me out for dinner Monday night, and he’s telling me where we’re going. Satisfied?”
He wasn’t satisfied at all. The food in his stomach now felt like a brick. Eight more weeks was a long time if Rafe couldn’t be anything to her but her boss while some other guy was hanging around.
“Ken,” he said. “You mean Kennen O’Brien in Art?”
Ahri glanced at her phone again. “O’Brien. Yes. I didn’t remember his last name.”
“You’re going out with a guy whose last name you don’t even know?” Rafe allowed himself only a slight shake of his head, disapproval coloring his tone.
“What’s it toyouwho I go out with?” Her gaze was hard, accusatory.
“It’s not,” he said. “Does Kayn know?”
“What’s with the cross examination?” She didn’t quite stamp her foot.
“What if he’s with those people who killed Zed?” Rafe snapped his mouth shut, wishing back the words.
Ahri’s face had gone white. “It’s been weeks, and we’ve heard nothing. How long am I going to be a prisoner here, hiding away?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You can go out with whomever you want, but I think it’s a good idea to have Bill check out everyone.”
“Excuseme, but are you suggesting that he wouldn’t want to go out with me unless he’s a plant, put there by the murderer?”
“I didn’t say that, and it’s not what I meant. Please, take a breath. I’m an idiot.”On so many levels.
“You’re right.”
“What, that Bill should check out anyone you date or that I’m an idiot?”
“Both.” Ahri let out a soft laugh, her tense body relaxing. “Let’s finish cleaning up. I’m tired.”
Rafe decided to only stay long enough to wash the dishes. He’d planned to spend the night in one of the guest rooms, so he could have breakfast with them in the morning, but he was in too emotional a state. He couldn’t be sure he could keep control of his mouth. He’d have to wait until the guys came over for dinner.
“Well, I hope you had a nice birthday. I’ll call it a day.” He dried his hands on the hand towel. “Thanks for coming along. It was fun. I think Lessa especially enjoyed having you there, more so than she’d have had if it’d just been me.”
“I think you’re wrong there. That little girl adores you.”
“I do my best to spoil her.”
“There’s nothing better for a girl than having a big brother she can idolize.”
“From the sister who has a brother she idolizes?” He grinned.
“It was easy with Kayn. Since I was a bit of a geek, having the king of geeks for my big brother was perfect.”
“I’m glad you had him.” Rafe took a backward step toward the door. “Would you still like some help with dinner tomorrow? I’m not as good a cook as Ma, but I can give you some tips.”
She watched him for a second before nodding. “That would take a lot of pressure off me.”
“I’ll come a couple hours early then.”
“All right.”
While he drove home, he wondered if he’d ever get to sleep. It was a good thing he didn’t have to get up early in the morning because it might be a long night. Maybe he should work on that new champion duo.
