Page 21 of Another Girl Lost

Smiles always defused worries, so I found a wry grin. “Lost my truck for a second. Not used to all the vehicles.”

“Easy to get turned around.” He moved toward me, his stride confident and steady. “You bugged out quick.”

Absently, I threaded my keys through my fingers. “I did my due diligence. Time to jet.”

“Have any other volunteer projects on the table?”

“No, time to focus on the paying work. Got a little behind.” That wasn’t true. I was caught up because all I did was paint and work out.

“What do you do when you’re not painting or volunteering your time for the Judge?”

“Rock climbing is my latest challenge.”

“I work out at a gym on Lindsay Avenue. There’s a wall there.”

“That’s my wall.”

“I can’t picture you climbing.”

“Why?”

“You strike me as the cerebral type. I see you visiting art museums and exhibits.”

“I do, but that’s kind of like work. On the rocks, it’s just me, the crevices, and the present.”

“Keeps you focused.”

“Mind can’t wander.”

“Does it tend to wander?” he asked.

I’d said more than I’d intended. “You ask a lot of questions, Luke.”

A hand slid into his pocket as bulky shoulders folded in a fraction in quasi contrition. “Hazard of the business. And I’m interested in you.”

His awareness was part of the reason that I’d exited the party early. I’d been hoping to avoid this conversation. “That so?”

Luke stepped toward me until a few feet separated us. He made no move to touch me, but his energy pulsed against my skin.

I gripped the keys tighter.

“Would you like to grab a drink sometime?” he asked.

A drink. Easy if I kept it to one, which I would. A busy, public venue would ease my worries. And I would meet him. And then something would trigger me, I’d freak, and the date would go off the rails as they all did. But I’d spent too much time alone lately, so what the heck? Muscles puckered in my gut. “Where do you have in mind?”

“Pick a place close to your studio or apartment.”

“Lito’s?” It was a few blocks from my studio. Well-lit parking and several exits.

“Great choice. It’s close to my office. Saturday?”

“I’m working until about five, but I can be there by six.”

His lips curled into a smile. “You’ll have to tell me all about it. See you then, Scarlett.”

“Okay.” I pressed my key remote and my truck lights blinked. “This is me.”

“Excellent.”

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