Page 14 of Conquer

“And what’s your interest in Santo?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? So why are you asking about this?” I said.

“Let’s call it curiosity. You know the feeling, right?” he said.

Did I ever. I didn’t tell him that, though. Instead I said, “It seems like a lot of trouble just for simple curiosity.”

He smiled again. “It was no trouble at all.”

And again, my heart set off on a gallop, one that continued when he stood up from my couch, and I did the same.

“Thanks, Sam,” he said.

“You’re welcome, but I didn’t do anything,” I replied.

He didn’t contradict me, but the look on his face told me he didn’t necessarily agree. He walked toward the front door.

“So, I’ll see you around?” I called, hoping I sounded even and not as curious, as hopeful, as I was.

He looked at me over his shoulder.

“I’ll see you around,” he said.

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