Page 17 of Save Me

“Who’s it from?” Kels asks.

I read the short note but still don’t get an answer to her question.

“Doesn’t say,” I reply.

“What does the card say?”

“If you want answers, meet me at 7 p.m.” I hold up the front side of the card to show her there isn’t more to the description. But there is something written on the back.

“My car will pick you up at 6:45 from your home.”

“Wow,” Kelsey responds when I read that part out loud. She looks at me with wide eyes in awe. “Are you sure you’re not dating anyone? This is a little …” she looks at the flowers, the card, and then at me, “romantic. Isn’t lavender your favorite color?”

I nod, swallowing at the coincidence. Lavender is my favorite color and scent.

“Whoever it is didn’t even leave a name,” I say.

Only one person comes to mind when I wonder who it could be. “This has nothing to do with romance.”

She whistles low. “Well, if it’s for work, this person has gone out of their way to get to you.” She smirks. “Are you going to go?”

“No,” I reply adamantly.

Her eyes bulge. “Why not?”

“Because I’m busy. I have an investigation that needs all of my attention. Whoever sent this note,” I hold it up between us, “is playing games that I don’t have time for.”

Why else wouldn’t they leave their name?

I know the answer to that question without having to think too long or hard. And I know who these flowers are from.

Dae Kim.

As I stare at the flowers, questions arise in me. What answers is he willing to give? Can I trust his answers?

Decision made, I shake my head.

“I’m not going.”

CHAPTER 6

Dae

Driver: We’ll arrive in ten minutes.

Satisfaction rolls through me as I peer down at the text message from the driver I had pick Kennedy up from her home.

I knew the card I sent with the flowers would pique her interest. It’s the reason I left my name off of the card. My little warrior is smart enough to figure out they were from me.

“Would you like anything else while you wait, Mr. Kim?” our private waiter for the night asks.

“Not at the moment.”

After assuring me for the second time in the past ten minutes that he’s available for anything I need, he takes his leave. I peer around the private dining area of Seven Spices—one of the premier Indian restaurants in the city.

Most importantly, Kennedy’s favorite.

The earth tones and soft music provide a comfortable warmth to the space. It’s the perfect place for my first real date with Kennedy.