How frustrating. “So who killed that poor woman?” May asked.
“I don’t know. We’ve got so many tourists coming in and out,” Ophelia said. “It’s hard to say.”
“Let’s not forget the locals,” May added. “Or the people who live up in the mountains and only come down during summer.”
Amka reached for her straw. “Or the people at EVE.”
“Good point. There’s so much we don’t know about that place,” May agreed.
“You’d think Damian would tell his brothers more than he has,” Amka said.
Ophelia shook her head. “They’re all pretty good at keeping secrets.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” Amka muttered.
May rubbed her forehead. “You guys aren’t helping me.”
“Sorry,” Ophelia said immediately, straightening. “All right. Back to you. Take it slow.”
“That’s what you should do,” Amka agreed.
“Yeah. You should just date.” Ophelia tapped the edge of the table with one finger. “Get to know each other on a boyfriend–girlfriend level. Not on a ‘you’re stitching him up in Exam Room Two’ level.”
Amka’s eyes lit up. “That’s actually good advice.”
May chortled. “You two are not telling me to go slow. Seriously.”
Amka glanced down at her still-flat stomach and huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s a really good point. But still,” she added, lifting her gaze back to May, “if you have reservations, there’s no hurry. Ace is a great guy. He’s smart, funny, and tough in that Osprey way. I think you make a good pair.”
May folded her hands together on the table. “I can’t date a guy who gets in fights all the time and drinks that much.”
“Then talk to him about it,” Ophelia said. “That’s what grown adults do.”
May was about to answer when movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention.
“Excuse me, Dr. Smirnov?”
She looked up to see Ivy’s new beau. “Jack,” she said. “How’s the ankle?”
“Pretty good.” He stretched out his foot, twisting it one way and then the other. “It was just a little sprain, I guess.”
Peter stepped up next to him. “Hi, Dr. Smirnov. I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but it would mean the world if you’d consider doing just a couple of photos with the senator while we’re in town.”
“She’s going to say no.” The voice cut in with a combination of charm and what sounded like reluctant amusement.
May didn’t have to turn to know who had just arrived.
Kyle stepped forward and edged between his two staffers as if this were all mildly amusing. “I’m sorry about this, May. I know you don’t like having your picture taken.”
Amka blinked. “You don’t? We have tons of pictures together.”
“Well,” Kyle said lightly, “sometimes the lighting isn’t right.” There it was. That smooth slide of a comment. Not an insult. Not quite a compliment either. Just enough to suggest she was difficult without ever saying it.
“Who cares about lighting?” Ophelia said flatly. “Seriously, May, you’re one of the most photogenic women I’ve ever met in my life.”
May glanced at her friends. They’d caught it.
Kyle cleared his throat. “Of course she’s beautiful.” He shifted his attention fully to her. “I don’t suppose you’d consider going fishing with me. For old time’s sake. You did break my heart when you left without a word.”
