Page 16 of Praying Mantis

“Good. I promise to keep it unless I’m out of town, but I’m heading back to the office to put it on the calendar. I’m going to take the day off for you.”

“A whole day for me? Does it mean I might get dinner there too?” Now she’s teasing me.

“If you play your cards right, you just might.” We both laugh. “How is Texas?”

“Hot, but so much fun. Matthew and I went out dancing last night. He met a guy so I might not see him today. I’ll hang by the pool to drink and read. Since it’s a book signing, I figure I better know some authors. I went to a spa yesterday, and the rubdown was amazing.”

“I bet I can do a better job.”

“Challenge accepted,” she replies to me and I can’t help but chuckle. “I missed you the last couple of days.”

“I missed you too. I know my life is complicated right now with work, but I promise I’m going to make time for you. I like you a lot.”

“I like you too. I want to get to know you better. The text messages are hard to get to know someone because you can’t read the feelings or emotions behind them.” It’s like she’s reading my mind.

“I agree completely. I hope we can do more of these calls and maybe video calls as well.”

“I’d like that. You’re getting me to agree to a lot of things this morning. I don’t know if I like you calling this early.” She laughs. “Especially with no coffee in my system.”

“So, what you’re telling me is, when I want you to agree with me to call before you drink the nectar of the Gods? Duly noted, acushla.”

“Darling?”

“You speak Irish Gaelic?” I did not mean the surprise in my voice to come out.

“I speak many languages. My parents wanted me to travel and not worry about being lost in translation. They needed me to be independent of them.” Louisa’s voice sounds so sad when she talks about her parents. It’s the first time she even mentioned them. “But let’s not dampen this call with them. How is your day so far?”

“Had lunch with Mom and she wants you to come to family dinner on Sunday. She caught me smiling when you popped into my head.”

“I don’t want to meet the parents.” She laughs. “I don’t do well with parents.”

“I told her no. I’d like to go out on a date first.” I hear someone yell my name as I enter the FBI building. “Hey, acushla, I need to go. Work is calling for me. Text me later?”

“I will. Have a good afternoon and try not to work too hard.” We said our goodbyes, and I got lost in a new local case until the weekend when Tony and I were on our way to the Austin FBI field office with another body.

Louisa

It’s Friday night, and we went to have some dinner and drinks at the LandShark Bar & Grill here at the resort. I can feel the excitement vibrating off of Matthew as he looks around.

“What are you doing, Matthew?” I’m wondering if he will combust with excitement.

“I’m on author watch 2023 over here.” That catches me off guard and I laugh pretty hard. I’m trying to be as serious as I can be.

“Have you seen anyone you know?” I know a few authors and I’m excited to find new authors.

“Yes, but I don’t want to make a fool of myself.” For a moment, I see the confident mask Matthew wears slip. “Will you please try not to embarrass me when you see Sapphire Knight?”

This woman has written stories that have starred in several diddling Miss Daisy sessions, and just as if he can read my mind, he says, “Ms. Knight, if you’re nasty.” The biggest shit-eating grin covers his face, and I almost panic.

“Oh god, please don’t get us banished from this event, Matthew.”

“Moi? I’m slightly offended.” He clutches his fake pearls.

“Listen, all I am saying is I’m really looking forward to stopping by to see Sapphire Knight, Avelyn Paige, Cayce Poponea, and Gemma Weir. Plus, I was looking at the list of authors and there are so many unfamiliar names to me.” I have few things in my life that bring me joy, and reading is one of them. It’s a significant break from reality.

“I know Louisa, I’m just as excited as you. Did you see that GM Scherbert will be there, too?” A booming laugh cuts my retort off and I look up from the menu to see Matthew’s eyes about ready to pop out of his head.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

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