Page 28 of So Twisted

“At the risk of getting slapped, how areyouhandling the Allentown thing?”

“Why would I slap you for that?”

“I don’t know. You just get irritated anytime I ask you something you’re uncomfortable answering.”

“So do you.”

“Yes, but I’m a teddy bear.”

She chuckled softly. “You are a teddy bear,” she agreed. “I’m fine with Allentown. I don’t like the commute, but it is what it is. The killer hasn’t found me yet, or at least hasn’t killed anyone to get my attention since I moved. David sees me every Tuesday and Sunday, and I don’t mind that we’re not always around each other.”

He frowned a little. She gave him a warning glance. “Now you’re at the risk of getting slapped.”

“I know. But you’re my friend, and I need to say this. Please don’t string David along if you don’t want to live with him. It will only hurt you.”

She sighed. “Do we have to talk about this again?”

“No. I’m done. I said my piece.”

She sighed and rubbed her temples. “It’s just not that simple, Michael. I do love him. I just… Look, I’m not going to bring up old feelings again, but it matters to me that you’re the only person I can talk to about my job. I can’t go home to David feeling like… likethis, knowing that all I’ll get from him is sympathy. I mean, doesn’t it bother you that you and Ellie can’t talk about work?”

“No. I prefer to keep my work life and my personal life separate. If I’m stressed, she’ll massage me and make me a nice dinner or something, but we don’t talk about it.”

She rolled her eyes. “You were the wrong person to ask.”

“I was. But look, just tell him how you feel.”

“I don’t want to lose him, though. It’s… After we talked in Alaska, I was going to break up with him, but when I saw him and spent the night with him and talked to him, I realized that I don’t want to lose him. I still love him, and I want to spend my life with him. I just need my space. I don’t always need to be around someone else. David, though, he needs to be around me. Maybe not needs, but the whole moving in thing…”

“Has nothing to do with David being needy and everything to do with you being afraid to adjust your life to another person.”

She glared at him. “Gee, thanks, Dad.”

“Insult me all you want. But it’s true. And it’s valid. If you don’t want to do that, you don’t have to do that. You’re a grown adult, and if you’re happier not living with someone else, you have every right to live alone. Plenty of people do it and live very happy lives.”

“But David won’t.”

“And you need to decide if you’re going to let him go or if you’re going to keep him. There’s no such thing as a perfect life, Faith. If you are happier with David than without him, talk to him. Who knows? Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe David will understand and be happy keeping things at arms’ length.”

She bit her lip. “Do you really think so?”

“Honestly? No. I think he needs someone he can marry one day. But I don’t know him that well. We’ve only seen each other a few times. I could be wrong. And so could you. I know it almost never happens to the Great and Glorious Faith the Bold, but almost isn’t always.”

She chuckled softly. “Yeah. You’re right.” She sighed. “But what if he breaks up with me?”

“You can lure me out into the wilderness and beat me up for making you do this.”

She giggled at that. Turk stirred and opened one eye, and she suppressed her laughter and said, “Sorry, boy.”

Turk snorted and closed his eye again. Faith grinned at Michael. “I really will.” Her smile faded. “I just don’t want to lose the best relationship I’ve had. I just wish that we could both be happy with what we have now and never need anything more—why are you smiling?”

“Because you said that David is the best relationship you’ve had. Which means you’re not mooning over me anymore.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, good for you. Now you don’t have to worry about me fighting Ellie to the death for your hand in marriage.”

Michael grimaced. “And we will now change the subject. I’ve been thinking about the case. I’m thinking we might be looking at the wrong angle for our killer.”

“How do you mean?”

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