“I hope smoking is all it was.”
The line goes quiet for a long second, and I say, “Well, I’ll let you relax. Thank you again for meeting with me, and for yourcompany. It’s been a while since I… It was nice.” I stop myself from saying too much. I actually feel like I already let too much slip. This wasn’t a date, and I should stop acting like it was.
“It was selfish of me really, Harlyn. If it wasn’t already clear, I’m interested in a lot more than just the case.”
Warmth flushes my chest, going all the way to my cheeks as a riot of butterflies turns my belly topsy-turvy. I can’t believe he actually said that out loud. It’s been a while since I’ve dated, and I’ve never been around someone so… direct.
“Shit, did I lose you?” Boone questions after my prolonged silence.
“No, I’m just trying to think of how to respond and not sound?—”
“Like you’re telling me to go to hell?” he interrupts.
“Too eager,” I finish, “but I’m pretty sure you already knew that, considering you are a world-famous profiler, and I’ve been a little obvious.”
“Not world-famous by any means, and there’s always a chance I’ll be wrong. In this case, I’m glad I wasn’t.”
“Wow, a man who admits he might not know everything. You’re really keeping me on my toes here.”
He chuckles low and slow, and it makes all that warmth I was feeling in my chest move much lower. “Oh, I’m full of surprises, Harlyn.”
I’m a little confused as to why I find that so sexy, but I can’t help marveling at the long-lost feelings of excitement and wonder filling me. A small piece of my heart feels like it slots back into the space that’s felt so empty for so long. Just knowing I’m capable of these feelings again is enough for the time being.
“Now, before I say something really stupid, what time should I pick you up for breakfast or brunchbefore our movie date tomorrow?”
I glance over at the clock, knowing I’m not going to be able to sleep for hours for an entirely different reason than I suspected, and say, “How does ten sound?”
“Like it’s later than I wanted, but I can live with it,” he acknowledges.
“See you tomorrow, Boone,” I say before I do something crazy and invite him back tonight.
“Tomorrow,” is all I hear from him before hanging up and bringing my phone to my chest. The urge to call Livy and tell her everything he said is so strong, I have to lay my phone on the nightstand to keep myself from doing it. I even think about sending her an email, because I know she won’t see it until the morning, but when I grab my phone again, guilt fills me.
Would she be happy for me, or is it selfish to share this before she is even willing to talk to me? I put my phone back on the nightstand because I don’t know the answer. Part of me wants to think she would be happy for me, but part of me knows it isn’t fair to her, not when I froze her out.
I decide I will email her in the morning, but not about Boone. Instead, I will apologize again for moving without telling her.
CHAPTER 12
Harlyn
It’s nearly nine thirty by the time I head downstairs for the first time. I forwent my usual routine of lounging in bed while scrolling on my phone for an hour then rousing for coffee for a long shower and shave. Any other time, I would have thrown on my shower cap and used body wash only, but I have a date. It feels weird to even think that, but it’s true, and I wanted to put a little effort into my appearance.
I’m too distracted by my phone to notice the strange sense of unease until my foot hits the cool hardwood floor. The skin on the back of my neck tingles, and I have the urge to spin around to make sure there’s no one standing behind the stairs, but before I can fully rotate, my eyes land on the empty kitchen table.
My stomach drops, and not in a pleasant way. The folder I left right there in plain sight is gone. I scan the floor nearby, pretending that a nonexistent wind would have sent it sailing to the ground, but I find nothing.
The urge to run out the front door is almost as heavy as the lead in my feet keeping me rooted to the spot. The eerie sensation of being watched, of not being alone, ramps up until my entire body feels like I’m clinging to a live wire.
The sound of a doorknob turning nearby finally spurs me into action. I take off in a full sprint to the front door. It takes less than a heartbeat to unlock the deadbolt, but precious seconds longer to grasp the tiny lock on the knob and turn it. I don’t think I’m even breathing when I rip the door open and fling myself out of the glass storm door and onto the porch where I slam into something and scream.
Firm hands wrap around my upper arms as I recoil, holding me in place. “Harlyn!” The bark of Boone’s voice startles me, but I manage to push my way past him and step into the driveway.
“There’s someone—” I point back toward the condo, unable to finish since I’m having such a hard time catching my breath.
“Who?” Boone asks, releasing my arms and putting me behind him.
“I don’t know. I didn’t see them. Just heard,” I explain, panting. When he makes a move to reach for the door, I grab his arm. “Call the police,” I urge, which gets me a shrewd glare over his shoulder.
