Maybe Sydney’s rose-colored glasses had slipped.They’d spent an inordinate amount of time together, too quickly.She’d obviously become annoyed with him.Unfortunately for her, they couldn’t part ways just yet.
Or ever.
Fink wasn’t ready to give her up yet.He’d have to fix whatever was going on between them.This wouldn’t do.
Perhaps nerves or annoyance could be blamed.Fink had to switch gears to prepping Sydney for her deposition with the prosecutor to make sure she gave believable information but couldn’t be anything worth dragging her into court over.
Wait a minute.Stress.How hadn’t he seen it before?Clearly, Sydney was merely worried.That could be why her smiles didn’t reach her eyes and why her cuddles seemed less warm.
On the surface, everything was right as rain, but Fink sensed the change.
He couldn’t put his finger on what it could be.
Thankfully, the twenty-three-hour drive from Eustis to Minneapolis would offer them plenty of opportunity to talk.Now all he had to do was figure out how to bring up the conversation.Which was particularly difficult considering he lacked the words to express his feelings.
On their previous long drive, Sydney had practically vibrated in the seat.She sang along with the radio as they made their way through the states.Their discussion flowed easily.Fink reviewed the details about their victim and rehashed their plan.
They didn’t have that this go-around.
Giving a deposition with a prosecutor wasn’t nearly as exciting as prepping for a murder.
Maybe the stress got to him too.This was new territory for both of them.He probably overthought this.
Being cooped up in the cab for ten hours a day wasn’t ideal.It was bound to make anyone cranky.Long drives like this weren’t for everyone.Especially when there was nothing to look forward to at the end.
Perhaps if Fink started the conversation rolling about something benign, he could naturally segue to the topic he really wanted to get to.Clearing his throat, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“When does your lease end?”This detail was in the packet of information AJ had sent over, but Fink couldn’t recall, and it seemed like a great way to open talks.
“I dunno.”She sighed as she stared vacantly out the window.“Sometime in February.I think.”
Fink nodded.“We should probably talk about what you’re going to do about it.”
Did she flinch?It was so quick, he couldn’t be sure he actually saw it.Maybe it was an awkward blink.
“Renew, I guess.”Her flat tone didn’t sit well with him.
This wasn’t the Sydney who’d helped him flay a man.Lackluster wasn’t her style.She was vivacious and infectious.Everything Fink wasn’t.Her current behavior was unnatural.Not that he would consider himself an authority on her, but over the past few weeks, he’d say he’d gotten a good handle on her idiosyncrasies.He was an observant guy and a relatively decent judge of character.
This wasn’t right.
“You seem to be comfortable at the cabin,” he pressed on.
“It’s fine.”
What the hell?She wasn’t giving him anything.She wouldn’t even look in his direction.That grated on his nerves.What was wrong with her?
This had better cheer her up.“Would you like to move in?”
Whipping her head around, she met his gaze with furrowed brows.
Not quite the expression he anticipated, but he’d roll with it.They hadn’t known each other for long.Perhaps he rushed things, but he couldn’t imagine going back there without her.
She blinked but said nothing.Where was the Chatty Cathy he’d traveled with the other day?
Fink licked his bottom lip as he switched lanes.“I just—” He wasn’t sure what else to say, but this silence was far too heavy for him to navigate.He had to fill it with something.
“We…” he started again.
