She followed him to the door and out onto the porch. Sad to see him leave, she watched as he made his way down the steps. As he reached the stone pathway, Alex turned back around.
“I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
His words soothed the sting of his having to leave. Brow raised, she teased, “Like an actual date?”
Alex grinned. “Yes, Eden. Like an actual date.”
She smiled wide. “I’d like that. When?”
“You free tomorrow night?”
“Well…” she pretended to think. “My social calendar is a bit full these days, but I can probably manage to squeeze in dinner.”
With a shake of his head, the ruggedly handsome detective chuckled. “Pick you up at six?”
Eden smiled. “Six sounds perfect.”
The blue in his eyes shone brightly as he tipped his chin. “See you then.”
With that, Alex turned on his heels and walked back to the SUV. From behind the slightly tinted glass, Eden could see the knowing smile Garrett was giving his partner.
Eden waited on the edge of the porch until Alex got behind the wheel and started the engine. Giving both men a final wave, she turned and headed back inside, locking the door behind her.
Practically falling against it, she allowed herself a few minutes to process the day’s unexpected turn of events. Not only had she seen and spoken to Alex again, she’d touched him for the very first time.
The powerful connection they’d shared told her so much more than she’d ever thought possible. Now she just had to figure out where they’d go from here.
Thoughts of serial killers and murdered women began seeping through, threatening to ruin her euphoric state.
Alex would be pissed if she agreed to be a consultant on his case. The last thing she wanted was to drive a wedge between them, especially before they even had a chance to see where their relationship could go.
But if she didn’t agree to help, and another young woman was taken and brutally murdered, how would she ever be able to live with herself?
As the evening went on, Eden continued to struggle with her decision. Later that night, after she’d gone to bed, her mom’s voice rang clear in the back of her mind…
God gave you a special gift, sweetheart. Now, it’s up to you to decide how to use it.
Chapter Four
“Hey, Bennett.”
Alex turned away from what he’d come to think of as the death board to find Detective Zoe Blake—the only female member of his unit—peaking her head through the room’s doorway.
“Yeah?”
“You have a visitor.”
“Tell whoever it is I’m busy.”
The petite blonde’s thin lips turned upward into a sly smile. “Pretty sure you’re gonna want to see her.”
His heart thumped. “Her?”
“Hey, man,” Garrett interrupted. With a cup of coffee raised in each hand, he carefully slid past Zoe and entered the room. “Sorry it took so long. The coffee shop was packed. And did you know Eden’s downstairs?”
Damn.
“I was just telling him,” Zoe answered for him. Then with her voice laced with sarcasm, Zoe said, “And, no, Caldwell. I didn’t want any coffee. But thanks for asking.”
