Jenna blinked away the thoughts and focused on the results of Gordon’s background check. Ty slowly scrolled through Work History, Education, Credit History, and finally reached Criminal History.
A big fat zero sat beside the last listing.
Jenna’s heart sank. That was not what she’d expected. “There’s nothing here.”
He scrolled back up for a closer look at the other sections. But there was nothing of substance. “Doesn’t seem to be.”
“Are these things even accurate? How do we know they’re complete?”
“I guess we can’t be 100 percent sure. But just because someone doesn’t have a record doesn’t mean they’re not a criminal. It just means they haven’t been caught.”
“I thought for sure we’d find something.” Jenna fell back into the sofa, feeling heavier than ever. She’d been depending on this to giveher proof. Proof that the new man in Mom’s life was a bad guy. She flung her hand over her face. “I was actually hoping he was a criminal. I’m a terrible person. What is wrong with me?”
“Hey. Nothing’s wrong with you. You weren’t hoping he’s a criminal. It just feels like something’s off, and you’re worried about your mom and trying to protect her.”
Jenna gestured to the screen. “But I seem to be protecting her from a perfectly nice person.”
“Your suspicions didn’t appear out of nowhere, Jenna. There are plenty of red flags here. He came to live with your mom after meeting her on a one-week cruise. Your mom is footing the bill for everything they do. He supposedly doesn’t have a credit card. And he told someone on the phone he’s in Maine.”
Okay, maybe she wasn’t a terrible person. Maybe sheshouldtrust her gut. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. But where do we go from here? In my mind this was my big plan, and it turned out to be a nothing burger.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. “It’s not nothing. We have a lot of information here. Let’s think about how we can leverage it.”
Chapter 19
Tyson went in for an easy layup and winced as the basketball hit the rim and bounced to the ground. He and Luke were at Veterans Memorial Park, a seaside playground that was uncrowded on this Wednesday evening. Gleeful sounds carried from the children frolicking on the nearby monkey bars, and a soaring seagull’s cry pierced the air.
“You’re off your game today.” Luke took the ball out. “That’s the second layup you’ve missed.”
Tyson guarded him as he dribbled toward the basket. Layups had always been his thing in high school. Either he was getting old and out of shape or... he was just distracted by thoughts of Jenna. Disliking the thought, Tyson swiped the ball from his friend mid-dribble.
“Guess you’renotasleep at the switch.”
“Don’t underestimate me.” Ty tried to dart toward the basket, but Luke blocked his move.
“I was going to let you win anyway.”
“As if I’ll give you a choice in the matter.” Ty regularly schooled Luke on the court. But Luke almost always beat him at pool.
“I want you feeling good by the time we’re done anyway—I have a favor to ask.”
“I always feel good after I beat you fair and square.” Ty darted around Luke and put up a jump shot. It hit the backboard and whooshed through the net.“And just like that I’m up by four.”
“Lucky shot.” Luke’s face and neck were pink from exertion as he worked his way toward the post. The evening was warm, though a nice breeze came off the water.
Ty gave him some coverage, his foot- and arm-work automatic. So automatic, his thoughts went straight back to Jenna. Turned out nipping these feelings in the bud was easier said than done. Only two days ago he’d committed tono touching, and he’d held his ground so far. But the other night she’d been the one to close the space between them. Albeit just to view the laptop screen. He could still feel the warm press of her leg against his.
In an uncharacteristic move, Luke bolted around him and put in an easy layup. He caught the ball as it fell from the net. “Man, you are distracted today. What gives?”
“Just a little tired, that’s all.” That was no lie. He’d hoped telling Jenna about the accident might magically make the nightmares disappear. No such luck. “How’d your date with Trinity go?”
A smile bloomed on Luke’s face as he dribbled the ball in place. “It was good. Real good. I enjoyed talking to her, but...”
“What?” Ty asked when Luke didn’t continue. “Trouble in paradise?”
“We’re both introverts so there were some awkward silences. I’m just not smooth like you.”
Ty smirked. “I’m not smooth.”
