Page 88 of All Bets Are Off

“Trixie Belden,” I corrected automatically.

He leaned so I could see his face. “I don’t know who that is.”

“She was a detective in a set of books that were very similar to Nancy Drew,” I explained. “They were just lesser known … even though they shouldn’t have been. My mother had a set of the books in the house when I was growing up. She gave them to me because I loved them so much. I’m pretty sure they’re in the stuff you put in storage.”

His hands moved to my shoulders, and he began to rub. “Do you want me to get them for you?”

I laughed. “The books aren’t going to help me solve this. For a time, when I was about eleven or so, I thought I was going to grow up and be a private detective, though. My dad bought me some kit he found, and I walked around looking for fingerprints. I ran out of the powder they sent and started leaving my mom’s flour all over the house.”

“Oh, man. I can see that.”

“I learned at a young age that I can’t ignore a mystery. Now you’ve presented me with this mystery, and I won’t stop until I have answers for you.”

“I don’t want you killing yourself with this. If you can’t do it?—”

I bristled. “Who said I couldn’t do it?” That sounded like a challenge to me.

“Okay, Ms. Determined.” He held up his hands in supplication. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I just have to figure out another way to come at it.” I glared at the piles in turn. “I’m missing something. The answers will be there when I figure out what exactly I’m missing.”

“That seems reasonable enough.” He let loose a sigh. “I would suggest I take you out on the town so you can get a breather for your brain, but your brother surprised me with tickets to a boxing match.” He looked pained. “I wanted to tell him no, but…”

“But Rex won’t understand why you want to tell him no,” I surmised. “I get it. You don’t have to explain. He still doesn’t understand about the camping trip.”

“Yes, well, I feel he doesn’t want to understand.” Zach turned moody. “I mean … it’s right there in front of him. He just doesn’t want to see it.”

I’d come to that conclusion myself. The Rex situation was a whole other hurdle if I wanted this relationship to be real. It wassomething I couldn’t talk about with Zach, though. At least not yet.

“It’s fine that you’re going out with Rex,” I assured him. “I already have plans anyway.”

“What sort of plans?”

“Oh, don’t do that.” I wagged my finger at him. “I don’t like the sudden alphahole vibe. You’re not the boss of me.”

He caught my finger. “You say that a lot. I’m not trying to be the boss of you. I’m just…” He seemed to catch himself. “What are your plans, wife of mine?” he drawled.

I laughed. “Tallulah.” That was all I had to say.

“Ah. Are you going to the Purple Zebra?”

“No, she’s off and wants to hit a bar. I said no clubs because I want a low-key atmosphere. We’re going to the Cabinet of Curiosities.”

He made a face. “That’s a weird freaking bar.”

“Tallulah says she’s in the mood to pick up a weird dude.”

“Of course she is.” He shook his head. He was serious as he regarded me. “Listen, if Tallulah finds a guy, I want you to contact the limousine stand. I’ll talk to them on my way out. If you need a ride, call them and they’ll pick you up.”

“There’s no way I’m calling for a limo to pick me up.” I vehemently shook my head. “That’s just … too much.”

“Hey.” He refused to allow me to look anywhere but his face. “Promise me. I don’t want you getting stuck with no way home because Tallulah picks up some freak at that place. I need to know that you’re going to be okay. Otherwise, I’m canceling with your brother and going with you.”

“Um … it’s girl’s night. You’re not invited.”

“Then I’ll follow you like a total loser.”

It wasn’t hard to ascertain if he was serious. “Fine.” I blew out a sigh. “I’m going to ruin your next guy’s night with mybrother, though. I’m going to follow you to a sports bar and put doilies everywhere.”

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