Page 17 of Speak No Evil

Her gran pulled over a chair and sat to begin pinning the hem.

Leslie crossed her arms. “So, Will’s a friend?”

Gwen recognized the tactic. “I probably won’t know him long enough to be a friend.”

“Does he live around here somewhere?” Gran asked. “Turn to the right.”

“Someplace in Manhattan, I think.”

All three paused to stare at her. “If you know that, it means you’re at least interested,” her aunt said. “Don’t get huffy. That’s good.”

This was such a predictable remark. Gwen squelched a sigh. “He gave me a ride up since I was running late, and we had to pick up the car from a garage.”

“But you’re still riding around with him?” Aunt Kathy asked.

“We’re going out to eat when Gran finishes and—” Gwen caught herself before she could say anything about going back to his city apartment.

“There’s plenty left from supper.” Aunt Kathy returned to the doorway. “You and you friend can eat here.”

Of course, her aunt would offer to feed them. For Aunt Kathy, food solved all problems, but she and Will needed to leave the house as soon as possible.

“Why don’t you save it for tomorrow? Will?—"

“Likes you, Gwen,” Leslie slapped the arms of the chair. “I vote for her to spend as much time as she can with him.”

“Sorry. Will needs to get back to the city.” Gwen ignored her cousin’s comment, but she hated making him the excuse.

Gran didn’t waste any time pinning the hem. When she finished, Gwen got out of her dress, pulled on her clothes, and went downstairs. Will had settled in the armchair next to her Uncle Tim. He leaned forward, elbows on knees, listening to her uncle. Both men stood when she returned. Will smiled, looking a little relieved. “You ready?”

“Yup.” She hugged her uncle. Will went outside, but Uncle Tim held her back to give her a thumbs-up and whisper, “He’s a keeper.”

6

No black SUVs followed them. At least, not that Will could tell.

He pulled into a parking lot outside the neighborhood restaurant Gwen had suggested. The scent of French fries and grilled meat wafting from Bailey’s made him think of hamburgers, but if Gwen wanted the ice cream, he couldn’t see any reason why she shouldn’t have some. Maybe sitting inside would help her relax.

“I saw you studying the neighborhood when we left Leslie’s house.” Gwen stepped out of the car.

She’d pulled the elastic from her hair, and the soft strands fell around her face. For a second he couldn’t tear his gaze away. But she seemed to be waiting for a reply. He racked his brain for a moment before remembering. Will put a hand at her back. “You’re right. I was watching the street. Second nature, probably. Situational awareness.”

“Is that an intelligence operations word?”

“Military for being always aware of your surroundings. As a soldier in enemy territory, you always look for escape routes.” He locked his Jeep and led her across the crowded parking lot. Dinnertime had passed and they were well into the teenager Friday night dating scene.

“Well?” She stopped walking, her blue eyes wide. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

He smiled. “As far as I can tell, we’re still good.” He held Gwen back from the entryway while a group of giggling teenaged girls pushed outside.

“You’re very thorough.” She gave him one of her sweet smiles.

He held the door open for her. “That’s probably the only reason I’m still alive.”

She slipped her hand through his arm and leaned close. “I’m glad you managed.”

Warmth flooded down to his toes. She’d been judging his every action since he’d met her, but her suspicion had finally vanished. Whether or not that was because he’d talked easily with her family, he didn’t know, but he still appreciated that no end. “Are you?”

“You’ve been wonderful, and you know it.”

---