Page 20 of The Cartographer

“Oh, really?” I should scold her for her impudent manner, but it’s been a while since she’s sounded quite so delighted and I can’t bring myself to quash that.

“He’s…” What can I say about Allie? “I met him at a bar. He makes the world’s worst Manhattan, but has the potential to give the best head this side of the Rockies. He’s exceedingly handsome, and I’d like to fuck him into next week. And the week after that.”

“But?” Ah yes, my little one heard the silentbut.

“But he’s got some other stuff going on and I don’t think he trusts me.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know you.” What faith she has in me. I like to think I’ve earned it.

“Be that as it may—and I appreciate that you think so—I can’t force him.” My head floods with all the things I’d like to “force” Allie to do, and hell do I need to get those things out of my brain, otherwise I might crash the car. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

“He’ll come around.” India’s confidence is bracing, and the corner of my mouth curls. She’s protective of me in the way a younger sister would be if some bullies tried to gang up on her older brother in the schoolyard. My feisty little thing. “If he’s smart.”

That earns her a snort, and I’m glad I wasn’t drinking anything. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s made liquid come out my nose. “Anyway, how are things with you?”

“Less than ideal.”

The sudden sadness in her tone tugs at my heart. “Yeah, I know.”

“It’s…it’s really fucking hard, Rey.”

It’s times like these I want to wrap her up in a blanket, sit her on my lap, and hug her. I’m one of the few people on earth she’d accept that from, and it’s my job to give it to her. And one of the few other people who has earned the privilege is in no shape to do so right now. Maybe I should’ve stayed in Kona longer. Maybe I should go back. For her and for Cris. “I know. Mal was a good man, and it’s not fair he’s gone. It’s okay to grieve for him.”

“But I—”

“Yes, you need to be there for Cris because that’s his father, but I know how close you’d grown to Mal too. It’s okay to be sad for your own sake. Would it be helpful if I came out there again? I need a few more days here, but—”

I’ve already started searching my mental schedule for when I might be able to make the flight again. There’s a soft whistle as I suck air through my teeth because, if I’m honest with myself, it’s going to be another week at least until I could go with a clear conscience. If India needs me, though, truly needs me, I’ll be there with bells on and the hounds of guilt nipping at my heels.

“No, we’ll be okay. I’ll be back in San Diego in a week, though, and if you wanted to come stay for a night, I wouldn’t say no.”

“It’s a deal.”

*

When I arrivehome, I find Matthew hard at work. I should be as well because I’ve got clients coming in an hour and I should prepare for them. Before I do…

“Matthew, could you do something for me?”

“Of course.”

I don’t even need to ask, but I do like to treat Matthew with respect. He’s wonderful, and I never want him to feel taken for granted. God help me if he ever leaves. I’d be fucked. “My guest last night…”

“Yes, sir?”

“Could you do a background check on him, please?”

Since it seems he’s going to be more than a one-off in an alley—a guy can dream at any rate—probably best to get an idea of who I’m dealing with. I’m generally a pretty keen judge of character, but not always. Allie seems like a fundamentally decent human being, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things about him I should be aware of. Most people wouldn’t think of a background check as being romantic, and this isn’t, per se, but it is an indication of intimacy, commitment.

I give Matthew all the information I have about Allie: his full name; the make, model, and license plate of his truck; his sister’s name; the fact that I suspect he’s former military and he’s recently worked construction. That should be plenty for him to work with.

“Sooner rather than later, please.” I turn back to my monitor and review the notes on the woman I’m seeing this afternoon before another session with Tom and Julie. Anna’s a darling, just starting to figure out what she’s looking for, and my time with her is usually a delight.

“Yes, sir.”

*

“No.”

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