“I wasn’t sure what you’d be in the mood for, so I made a little of everything.”
“Clearly.”
Charlie pulled out a chair and sat as he brought over a steaming pile of fluffy pancakes.
“Seriously, Derek. Who’s going to eat all this? And where’d you even get it?”
He didn’t look concerned in the least. “Found a grocery store near here that delivers. I may have gone a tad overboard.”
“You think?” She laughed. “You didn’t have to do this, but thank you. It looks delicious.”
“Let’s find out.”
Using a fork, he picked up the first pancake and set it on her plate. After giving himself one, they passed the other dishes around, taking what each wanted before settling in to eat.
“Oh my gosh,” she mumbled around her first bite. “These are delicious. Where’d you learn to cook like this?”
“My mom.”
Charlie shook her head. “I don’t get how you’re still single.”
“Already told you.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “I was just waitin’ on the right girl to come along.”
A heated flush filled her cheeks, which was ridiculous. The man had seen every inch of her body. And the things he’d done to her...
“You don’t quit lookin’ at me like that, all this food’s gonna go to waste.”
Charlie picked up her fork and straightened her shoulders. “It’s your own fault, you know.”
“Yeah?” He took a sip of his coffee. “How’s that?”
Casually looking down at her plate she said, “If you weren’t so good at what you do, then I’d be able to concentrate on other things.”
The sight of Derek laughing filled her heart. Taking it all in, Charlie wanted to remember him like this forever.
With a sly smirk, he said, “You clean your plate, and there might be more of that goodness comin’ your way.”
She raised a brow. “Pun intended?”
They both laughed again. As they ate, she thought about what she wanted to say to him but wasn’t quite sure how to broach the subject.
Just tell him your idea, already.
“So, listen.” Charlie sat her fork down. “I was thinking...and before you say anything, just hear me out, first. Please.”
With an odd expression, Derek pressed his lips together and nodded. “All right.”
“I know you don’t like the idea of me being anywhere near Caleb.”
“I fuckin’ hate it,” he interrupted. Putting his hands up, he said, “Sorry. Go on.”
She took a deep breath and continued. “Caleb runs his mouth a lot when he’s angry. He’ll blurt things out without even realizing what he’s saying. I thought if I could set up a time to meet him, I know I could get him to confess to—”
“Charlie, there’s somethin’ I need to tell you.” Derek tried to interrupt, but she wouldn’t let him.
She needed him to hear what she had to say. To see her idea could work.
“I’d wear a wire. You could set that up, right?”
