Page 61 of The Witness

The three of us walked up to the front door. It swung open before we touched the handle. Simon had a new lock in one hand and a screwdriver in the other.

“Steel, drop that bag right there and I’ll bring it in for Sabrina later.” Simon barely looked up from his task.

“Sure.” I hesitated but set the bag in the shade on the front step and shoved my empty hands deep in my pockets. I took a couple of steps back, not sure what the fuck I was doing. But any thoughts of kissing her, sweeping her into my arms, and ravishing her seemed impossible. This was worse than the parking lot at the office.

“Well, I guess that’s everything.” Sabrina stood next to her duffle bag, shifting her weight from foot to foot. The way she nibbled her lower lip made my brain half shut down, overwhelmed with longing to bite that lovely lower lip myself.

“Ah, yeah.” I extended my hand. And instantly wanted to use it to smack myself in the face. A handshake… really? What the hell was I thinking?

She leaned forward like she’d expected a hug, and I ended up effectively karate chopping her in the stomach. I was pretty sure I heard Derek smoother a laugh. Asshole.

I jerked my hand back and clasped them both behind my back before I did something worse like give her a black eye.

“Promise me you’ll stay here.”

“What?” She wrinkled her forehead and tilted her head, considering my request.

“Stay here. The team hasn’t had time to put any security measures in place at Viande. You deserve time to relax; it’s midafternoon. You can’t do much over there today but stress out.”

“How did you know what I was planning?”

“I’ve not known you long, but I’m not an idiot.”

Another snort laugh from Derek.

I turned. “Dude, go whack a bush.”

He held up his hands in defeat and slunk off, reducing our audience to Simon working on the door and Minerva in the car. Better.

“It’s killing me to not have been there already.” She rubbed her forehead like she was getting a headache.

“I know Gunter’s contact said you weren’t on anyone’s radar, but please, be smart. Wait until tomorrow morning. I’ll take you over bright and early.” I’d be fully armed and have called ahead for a police drive-by, just in case.

She bit her lip again and sighed. “Fine.”

“Excellent. Tonight, take care of you. Relax. Pop a bottle of wine. Get in a bubble bath and read a romance novel. It might be your last chance to relax before you throw yourself into the repairs.”

She laughed. “That’s not how I self-care. Other than the wine.”

“Okay, what’s your prescription?” I waved a hand, encouraging her to tell all.

“My favorite 80s music, a stack of old cookbooks, and as much homemade carbonara as I can eat while I lie on the couch ina mound of pillows.” She counted off the indulgences on her fingers.

“I’m up for pasta!” Simon added from behind the half-closed front door.

I groaned. This was a disaster.

She shrugged and tossed up her hands like such is life.

“You do all that, and I’ll see you first thing tomorrow morning.” I leaned in for a quick peck on her cheek, and before I could mess anything else up, I jogged back to The Tank without looking back.

Worst kiss in history.

All I wanted to do was make Derek drive Minerva home, kick Simon and his team out, and help her make that massive bowl of carbonara. Then hold her in my arms while she read her cookbooks. Then kiss her like I meant it, like I had in Cuba.

I pulled open the driver’s side door and heaved myself into the seat. I wasn’t looking forward to the traffic on I-95.

“You’re going to have to do better.” Minerva caught my eye in the rear-view mirror.

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