Page 102 of Call Back

I had to admit he was convincing, but then something unsettling occurred to me. “How did you know I had breakfast with Belinda yesterday?”

He gave me a sheepish grin. “I told you that you’re famous. One of the detectives I work with saw you there.”

I put my hands on my hips and squinted up at him. “And he just happened to mention it to you? Why would he tell you?”

“She knows you’re staying at my apartment. Gossip travels fast.”

The indignation bled out of me, and I dropped my hands to my sides. His explanation made sense, but it still made me uneasy, especially since he’d also known about my presence at the church dinner the other night. All the more reason to take a few steps back from our relationship.

“Brady . . .” I paused, realizing this was terrible timing, but then again, there probably wasn’t a right time. “I packed up my things this morning. I’m going to stay somewhere else tonight.”

His body went still. “Why?”

I took a breath and lifted a shaky hand to the base of my throat. “A million reasons. My life’s an utter mess, and I need to get it under control before I start a relationship. Also, there’s the fact that a killer might be after me.”

“All the more reason to stay with me!” he whisper-shouted.

“No,” I said, gaining more courage with every word. “It’s a terrible reason. I’m mistaking my need for protection for romantic feelings.”

“Are you saying you don’t have romantic feelings for me?”

I did, but not like I had for Colt. However, I was sure he wouldn’t appreciate the comparison. “You know I do, but I think it’s best if I rely on you less right now.”

Anger filled his eyes. “I knew we were moving too fast.”

“Maybe so, and I’m sorry if I hurt you,” I said, even though I couldn’t really regret sleeping together. He’d found my scar, and I’d discovered the serial killer connection. It had (hopefully) brought us one step closer to finding the murderer. But Brady was a good guy, and I did regret causing him pain. “Please try to understand.”

He was quiet for a moment, then gave me a soft smile. “I want what you want, Maggie. If you need to take a break, I understand.”

“Really? Brady . . . thank you.”

“I’ve told you before that I’m a patient man.” His face hardened a bit, as though preparing for a fight, then he pushed out a breath. “But I still need you to take me to that house tonight.”

“I’m sorry, but I still can’t go,” I insisted. “Belinda needs me.”

“Needs you? What does she need you for?”

While I understood why he was being short, I didn’t like his abrasive tone. “Why didn’t you answer my texts today?”

“I told you—I was busy.”

“You couldn’t have told me you were busy?”

He clenched his jaw, then turned to the side and looked out the back window into the parking lot. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

I’d expected him to come up with another excuse, so his apology caught me off guard. “I’m still not going tonight. Besides Belinda needing me, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be hiking in the woods after the rain last night, let alone in the dark.” I lifted my chin. “I can’t handle going out there at night. We have to do it during the day.”

His jaw tightened and irritation flashed in his eyes, but he said, “Okay. What’s your schedule like tomorrow?”

The tension in my shoulders eased slightly. “I work for the Belles tomorrow night, but I’m also supposed to work for Miss Ava,” I fibbed. I wanted to track down Rowena Rogers—or at least try—and I had no idea how long that would take. “But I’m going in later. Close to noon.”

Brady frowned. “That woman can’t make you pay off the debt for those damages, Magnolia. If that’s what’s going on, tell me right now and I’ll deal with it.”

“I told you. It’s for extra money. And if that were the case, I’d deal with it.”

After several moments of somewhat uncomfortable silence, he said, “I’m not sure I can get away tomorrow, but I’ll let you know.”

“Okay.”

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