“It’s why I have this going for me,” I deadpanned, waving a hand over my torso.
“True.” She laughed. “And it’s ho—” She shut her mouth.
“Hot?” I quirked an eyebrow. “Amazing. Finally, there’s something about me you like.” And I did like that she noticed me.
She bit her lip, her blush deepening.
“Eat. The food’s getting cold,” I said, giving her a break. “By the way, I won’t be here tomorrow—”
“What?” Her gaze rushed up, meeting mine. “Where are you going?”
“Gonna miss me, Blue?” At her anxious gaze, I relented. “It’s a meeting with my agent, then the team’s coach, and a session with my strength and conditioning trainer. You can come. I’m sure Rufus will work out a schedule for you, too.”
“Do I look like I like exercising?” Those pretty brown eyes cut me a death glare. “So, a hard pass on that. Besides, I have work, then a Zoom meeting with the author, and…” A sly smile curled her lips and brightened her eyes. “And a date with Aethan.”
I narrowed my eyes. What the fuck? “Who?”
She rose, trotted off to the couch, and picked up a book—
She was fucking with me!
Smiling, she set the novel down. “Absolute Surrender?” I drawled. “Just so you know, I will haveyoursurrender soon, Blue.”
She bit her lower lip, another flush staining her cheeks at my low promise.
My cell buzzed. I removed it from my jeans pocket, and a brief message flashed.Eli, I’m in town tomorrow.
Our moment of banter faded as I stared at the name. Caleb Harris. My foster father. I texted back.5 p.m. at the training center?
His reply was prompt.I’ll be there.
My mind slipped back to the anonymous text from the other day. I hadn’t received another, but my jaw ground down. My past would remain buried. Whoever the fuck it was, if he thought to come after me, he would regret it.
“What is it?” Charli asked, concern etching her features.
“It’s nothing.” I dropped my cell on her book near my plate and went back to eating.
“Hey, you know what?” she said, and I glanced up. “I’ll come tomorrow.”
“Worried about me, beautiful Blue?” I asked coolly, finding it hard to shut off my anger at the shit in my life. “Don’t be. I can take care of myself.”
“No need to get so defensive. Forget it.” She went back to not eating but moving her food around her plate.
Fuck, I inhaled a massive breath, trying to calm the hell down. “I’m sorry. I’d like it if you came with me.”
Her gaze searched mine, but as long as she couldn’t see into my soul to all the ugliness burrowing there, it was fine. Because if the truth of what I’d done ever got out, this girl would probably leave me faster than dust settling—
A crash sounded, breaking the deafening silence between us.
Charli shot to her feet, eyes wide. “What is that?” she whispered, her focus fixed on the mudroom entrance. “Shouldn’t we check that?”
A weary sigh escaped me. I set my silverware down, rose, and headed for the mudroom, Charli close behind me. I glanced at her. “Not scared?”
She frowned as if I’d lost some gray cells. “I’m not leaving you alone to face whoever it is.”
My gaze lowered to the dull-edged butter knife clenched in her fist. “You plan on buttering the burglar to death, then?” I quirked an eyebrow, my anger fading. If it truly was a burglar, no way would I let her stick to me like a shadow in the face of danger.
“War, stop joking. Someone’s in there.” Her eyes were huge and dark.
