Page 74 of My Heart to Find

“Great,” I say, and I try to quieten my pounding heart.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Jana

“ISTILL CAN’T BELIEVEyou threw her out yesterday.” Lizzy stares at me with wide eyes. “River’s gonna be so mad.”

“Yeah well,” I say. “Someone had to do something.” I shiver a little and pull my jacket around my shoulders. It’s getting colder now, feels more like autumn. I watch several amber leaves as they dance through the air on their way down.

Lizzy makes a disbelieving sound as she leans against the tree trunk. “Still, she’s gonna bemad.”

I try to put River and her anger out of my head. Lizzy and I aren’t here for that. We’re here to meet Trevor. He’s spoken to his brother about our case, and asked if we could meet him.

“And where’s she even gonna live now?” Lizzy asks. “She hasn’t got family here now.”

“That’s not my problem,” I say.

“Really?” Lizzy raises her eyebrows. “She’s still your friend, Jana. She’s still—"

“Ah, look, there he is,” I say, grateful that I can see Trevor hurrying along. He’s dressed casually today, and I find myself admiring the way his jeans cling low to his hips.

The faintest stirrings ofsomethingawaken within me, the lightest bits of interest in him—sexual attraction—but then it disappears.

“Hello, sorry I’m late.” Trevor nods at each of us. “Shall we go and grab a coffee? Not fromThe Red Panda.” He laughs, but I can tell it’s forced.

My mouth dries a little. “Sure.” I say.

As the three of us walk into town, I can tell it’s bad news. Trevor would’ve been smiling or something by now if he had good news. Not walking quickly, hands in the kangaroo-pouch pocket of his hoody.

We take seats in the café on Main Street. It’s Sunday, and it’s only open for an hour more today.

“I’ll get these,” Trevor says, as Lizzy and I both order a mocha. I wince—another sign it’s bad news.

“Just get it over with,” I say. “We haven’t got a case, have we?”

Trevor exhales for a long moment, and as soon as the waitress has moved away, he turns soulful eyes on us. I hadn’t realized before just how expressive his eyes are, but now they hold no secrets.

---