Page 115 of Protecting Love

“Until I know otherwise, I’m going to treat it the same as I have been.”

She sighed. “Fine. I get it. I wish you would have stayed for dinner, but I’m glad you got somewhere.”

“We haven’t gotten anywhere until I talk to her.”

“Should I call and ask?”

“No,” he said firmly. “You’re not to do anything other than you’ve been. Go to work and do your job. If she reaches out again, let me know. I hope to get more tomorrow.”

“I hope so too. Our food is good.”

“Enjoy your cake.”

“I would have rather enjoyed it with you.”

He heard London shout something in the background. “What did she say?”

“She’s busting my butt. Long story.”

“Maybe I can hear it sometime.”

“I’m going to assume you’re alone since you’re talking to me like that. Where is Ian?”

“In the gym.”

“Without you?” she asked.

He pulled his food out and started to eat. He’d do some more digging into Debra while he finished. “If he got up earlier we could have worked out together this morning.”

She laughed on the other end, the sound causing his lips to lift. “And that’s why forty is considered old.”

“Bye, Paris,” he said and hung up to her laughter.

It was better than fear. Better than tears.

Better than feeling lonely. Something he found he wasn’t anymore.

27

FREE FOR ALL

Paris was pacing in her office the next morning.

It shouldn’t have taken this long for Fletcher to give her an update.

She didn’t even know where he was or what he was doing, only that he’d be down before lunch.

Well, it was eleven forty-five. That was technically lunch to some people.

“We’re going to have to replace the carpet if you don’t stop.”

She looked up to see London standing there. “Sorry. Fletcher should be here by now.”

“Our new staff are going to think you’ve lost your mind and then quit. And I’ll have to hold it over your head you caused it and not me.”

“You’re just trying to make me laugh,” she said.

London grinned. “Maybe. Relax. I’m sure if it was serious, you’d know by now. Maybe this is the end. You can get some answers as to what was going on and why and we move on.”