Page 19 of Secrets and Sin

“I think I might go out for a walk, actually.”

“A walk?”

Cooper didn’t sound surprised.

“I used to take lots of walks at night when I couldn’t sleep.”

It had been a good way to burn off a little energy, and get some thinking done when it was quiet. His home growing up could never be described as serene or peaceful.

“I know. I’d see you come in and out of the house. I just assumed that it was a teenage thing.”

Zack hadn’t known that he’d been discovered. He’d thought his late-night strolls were a secret. Except from Emma, of course. She knew everything that went on in the Winslow home.

“You could have joined me.”

“Nah, that was your time. Anyway, I’m going to bed. Have a nice walk, and don’t forget the key. I’m not getting up at two in the morning to let your ass inside. You can sleep on the stairs until I get up.”

“That’s what I love about you, Cooper. Always the softie.”

“You’d let me sleep outside and don’t deny it. Good night.”

Cooper disappeared into his bedroom, and Zack pocketed the key before leaving the apartment. It was located over the old movie theater, and he had some wonderful memories of watching popular films there with his friends. To this day, Zack had no idea how the theater had stayed in business. The tickets had been cheap, especially for matinees, and even the popcorn and soda hadn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Ah, the good old days.

Was he becoming one of those people who talked about the old days incessantly? How everything was better and simpler?

Let’s face it. It was simpler in my childhood.

The summer day had been warm and a bit humid, but now that the sun was down it was far cooler and more pleasant. There wasn’t much noise except for a few crickets, all the birds and squirrels sleeping peacefully for the night. This was why he loved doing this so much.

It had been harder in the city to find that quiet. Even at night there was noise. A siren in the distance or even just the sound of a radio drifting through an opened window.

Tonight there was only the rustling of leaves, and his tennis shoes on the pavement. His head was full of his thoughts, and he was sifting through them one by one when he stopped at the large picture window at the bookstore.

He could see Lucy walking through the store, flicking off the lights until she was up at the cash registers, grabbing her bag and a set of keys. Her long dark hair was piled up on top of her head in a messy bun, and her glasses were perched on the tip of her nose. She was a petite woman with just the right amount of curves. He’d always thought she was attractive even back in high school, but seeing her again after all this time…she was a beautiful woman.

She must have felt his gaze on her because she looked up, her eyes going wide and her hand on her heart.

He could almost hear her groan of relief when her shoulders sagged upon seeing it was just him. She waved at him to come inside, and he didn’t hesitate. He’d wanted to be alone with his thoughts, but for some reason he wanted to spend more time with her. He didn’t waste any time analyzing that feeling, though, simply deciding that he’d been analytical too long. He needed to just…follow his instincts for a change. Being too cerebral might have made him a lot of money, but it hadn’t done him much good when it came to his personal life.

“Are you roaming the streets tonight?” she asked, closing the door behind him.

“I knew I wouldn’t sleep so I decided to take a walk.”

“You picked a good night for it. It’s cooled off nicely.”

He’d wanted to be alone, but now he wanted her company.

“You could go with me.”

She didn’t say yes right away, but she didn’t say no either. Her gaze was appraising as if she was trying to decide if he was serious. She must have decided that he was because eventually she did reply.

“I could do that. I’m feeling a bit restless myself after the news.”

“You heard it, too?”

“In this town? I probably heard it five minutes after you. There are no secrets here. You should know that.”

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