Page 50 of Cold Case Murder Mystery

“They could be.”

Brooke didn’t know what she was doing. She didn’t know whattheywere doing. Why either of them thought now was the time or that this conversation was a good idea. It would only make working together uncomfortable.

And she couldn’t blame him becauseshehad gone to his room last night. She’d done that, and on purpose. She had gotten the exact result she’d wanted last night.

She’d woken up... with none of the expected regrets she thought she should feel. It had been too... wonderful to be back in his arms, back in his bed. Relive all the things they could give each other.

It hadn’t been a distraction. It had been like coming home. Roots.

They could be yours.

But, without regret, she had to focus on reality. On keeping her feet and expectations grounded. They’d been down this road before. He’d ridden out the chemistry, and she’d let herself believe it was love.

She couldn’t make the same stupid mistake again.

Even if he was standing there saying all the right things. All the right things she wished he’d said four years ago.

She hadn’t expected this. She didn’t know how to weather it. Not with everything else going on.

She pushed herself out of the chair. “I have to get ready. I want to get an early start at the cave. Detective Delaney-Carson is picking me up soon.”

He didn’t argue with her, didn’t push the point of their relationship... whatever it was. He nodded, his dark eyes never leaving her face. “I could drive you down to the cave.”

“I know, but I’m going to ask you for an even bigger favor.”

He studied her like he couldn’t possibly think of one, so he didn’t fully believe her. But it was a huge favor for her, and it required trusting him the only way she knew how.

To protect someone she loved.

“Watch Royal for me. I just need to know there’s someone here who’ll stop him from flying off the handle, given the chance. I think... I think he wants to do the right thing, but I wouldn’t put it past him to do the wrong one, thinking it was right.”

“I guess I know a little about that.”

Her mouth curved in spite of the riot of feelings inside her. Zeke did indeed.

Could she really believe he’d changed? She knew he was different. There was a... stillness to him he hadn’t had four years ago. Still tense, still serious, stillveryprotective. But not quite so... pumping with unleashed energy. Not so desperate toact.

Did that equal change? She wasn’t sure she could come to a conclusion on that and believe in it. It required her to be... certain and sure. With everything else going on? How could she be sure ofanything?

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Zeke promised. “And look, we can pretend last night didn’t happen. We can do whatever you want, Brooke, and I mean that. Because I care about you. I never stopped thinking about you. I made a mistake, a lot of mistakes.”

She didn’t know what to say. Maybe nothing. Especially when he kept talking.

“I don’t make the same mistakes twice.”

He said it like a promise, like a vow. And she wanted to be stronger than the woman who fell for that line, but look at him. All serious. All... perfect. He’d always been just what she wanted.

Remember how hard it was to get over that?

The Zeke of old had never made a promise that didn’t have to do with her physical safety. He was right the other day when he’d told her he’d never said he hadn’t loved her back then, because he’d never used the wordlove.

And he still wasn’t saying it. He was saying a lot of sweet, important things. But not the main one.

“I don’t know what I want, Zeke. Except to solve this case. To figure out who’s after me or Royal or whatever this is. Maybe after that... I can figure out what we are.”

He nodded, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

She’d expected an argument. Or did she want one? Because an argument would solidify her feelings, but him agreeing with her just left her even more confused.

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