Page 121 of Mensa's Match

Mensa hadn’t thought it possible with all the blood Whitney had lost, but her skin had paled.

He dipped his chin. “I was inside the restaurant. There’s no way Rod knew that when he pulled into the parking lot. It seemed like he thought he could hide there or something, but the cops had been too close for him to lose them.”

“Hard to say what his reason was for that, but I don’t think he had any rational thoughts at that point,” Wyatt said, coming into the room and around to the other side of Whitney’s bed.

Mensa stood to give them some space.

Margo grabbed Mensa’s hand. “You aren’t going anywhere. Both of them need to get to know you better. This isn’t the ideal setting, but it’s a start.”

Mensa arched a brow. “I can see where Whitney gets it.”

“Gets what?” Margo asked.

“Her convincing nature.”

To his surprise, everyone in the room erupted into laughter.

Chapter 31

Gonna Last

Whitney

After forty-five minutes, Wyatttook my parents back to his place. Dad seemed to be softening toward Mensa, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up yet. If Wyatt still had reservations about Mensa (and being in law enforcement, he had reservations abouteveryone), then Dad would likely withhold any approval for a while.

Not that his approval mattered, but I loved my family and I wanted Mensa to feel accepted.

“Are you going to finish your food?” Mensa asked.

I shook my head. “My appetite hasn’t been normal lately. You can eat it.”

“I’ll pass. Are you tired? Do you want me to leave?”

“Yes. No. I mean, I’m tired, but I want you to stick around – unless you have somewhere to be.”

He grabbed my hand, leaned over, and kissed my cheek. “Whitney, I’ll be here until they kick me out, if that’s what you want. Only thing I need to do is call Har. I’d rather not text him about what went down today.”

I caught movement at the door and Riley bustled inside. “I’m so sorry it took me so long to come visit today! It’s been non-stop work at Har’s shop and normally I have that place running on auto-pilot.”

Mensa stood. “I’m gonna let you two chat and make a phone call.”

Riley gave Mensa a knowing look. “If it’s about Rod getting arrested, he already knows.”

“Thanks, but I’m gonna call him anyway,” Mensa said after a short nod.

Once he was gone, Riley sat in the chair next to my bed and leaned closer. “Now that he’s gone, how are you really feeling? I can’t even imagine how much pain you must be in.”

I shrugged my good shoulder. “The pain meds they’re giving me are working really well, though I’m probably due for another round.”

She looked around the room as if someone might be spying. “I’m sorry – well, not really – but I ran my mouth in front of your brother while you were in the ICU yesterday.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

An abashed look stole over Riley’s face. “Your brother was telling Mensa that you were too good for him. I got offended and prattled on about how he should have seen the two of you acting like you weren’t interested in each other.”

I dipped my chin, felt a pang of pain and straightened. “Well, we weren’t, Riley.”

Riley tilted her head. “Right. You can keep telling yourself that, but you’re wrong.”

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