Page 70 of Evidence of a Folktale

“Upset me?” He squinted at her as if he had no clue what she was talking about.

“You couldn’t sleep,” she said. “I was intense and sloppy after all that vodka, but it wasn’t my intention to make you uncomfortable.”

“Oh, Isobel.” Eamon leaned over and kissed her so fiercely that she almost dropped her coffeein favor of repeatinglast night’s excitement on the kitchen table. “I couldn’t sleep because I was wired. You were… amazing.”

“My being drunk and needy didn’t bother you?”

“Detective, if I’m the first thing you want when you’re tipsy, I’m truly a lucky man.” Eamon grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms. “Inhibitions are lower when humans drink, which often leads to cheating. But you? You got drunk and wanted me… a lot. I was honestly so happy. That’s why I had trouble sleeping. We’ve worked through some difficult conversations these past few weeks, so knowing I’m still your choice when nothing’s holding you back felt amazing.”

“Ireallywanted you, didn’t I?” she laughed into his chest. “I can’t believe we did that on the side of the road. What if someone saw us?”

“We were closer to home than you realized.” Eamon kissed her hair. “The minute your hand grabbed my leg, I knew how the night would end, so I drove fast. I thought we’d make it here first, but we were on the winding road on my estate. Only people driving to my house use it, so no one was there.”

“Oh thank god.” She laughed again. “I wasn’t embarrassed in the least, though. I should’ve been, but I wasn’t.”

“It’s because you trust me enough not to put you in a weird position.”

“What are you talking about? You had me in a lot of weird positions last night?”

“Oh my god.” Eamon playfully spanked her.

“Okay, okay, I’m done.” Bel snagged the toast from the toaster and shoved it into her mouth. “I guess that’s why I was so free last night. I always feel safe and cared for with you. Speaking of taking care of me, why don’t I have a hangover?”

“It’s a little witch’s trick,” Eamon said. “It’sbasicallyAdvil with an extra kick. I made you take one with an entirebottle of waterbefore I put you to bed.”

“Thank you. For all of it. For picking me up, for being happy that my drunk self is obsessed with you,fornot letting me go to today’s signing with a headache. All those screaming fans.” She shuddered. “I would’ve been miserable. I hate that I drank so much, but Olivia’s indifference was depressing. It was like sitting next to a wall of ice.”

“I wish I could fix that for you. You did nothing wrong, but we have a different worldview. Everything blew up for her in a matter of seconds while she was mourning your death. I don’t think she hates you. She’s just hurt and scared.”

“I know, but I’m afraid we’ll never be the friends we were.”

“I’m sure you will.” Eamon put two more slices into the toaster since she’d helped herself to his. “At least I hope you do. I realize it isn’t the same, but even if she doesn’t forgive you, you have me. I’ll always be here for you.”

“I know, and I appreciate it.” She cupped his jaw, wanting to drown in the adoration coloring his death-black eyes. “But sometimes a girl needs her girlfriends. Especially when it concerns romantic advice… but I guess I have my sisters for that.”

“And Violet.”

“And Violet,” she agreed.

“I’m sorry I can’t be that for you, though.”

“Don’t be. I love you, and you truly are my best friend.” Bel seized his fresh toast and shoved it into her mouth, enjoyingthe wayhe frowned at her. She was starving, and around her, the man had a wonderful sense of humor that she enjoyed goading. “We’re going to fight. We’ll get mad and endure painful periods, but I want that. I’m glad we had our first argument. It proves we emerge together. Plus, I love making up.”

“Me too.” Eamon put yet another two pieces of bread into his toaster. “But can I please get some of this breakfast, or were you looking to have our second fight be over toast?”

“Hmmm, you can eat.” Bel raised onto her toes and kissed him, her heart light and her smile wide. They were happy. They were the couple who would make it until death parted them. “But only because I’m late and don’t have time to argue about bread.” She took off running, coffee clutched in her fist as she climbed the stairs. Romantic bliss had to wait. She needed to arrive at the hotel for the signing long before the fans started crowding Miss Monroe, and today was the day they’d put her plan to the test. Eamon had promised to hang back in the hopes it would prove Taron was the killer.

Bel’sromantic bliss was long goneby the timetheir lunch break arrived. The screaming fans, the crying women, the demanding ticket holders, the constant noise, the constant barrage of people hovering and shoving and complaining had her ready to lock herself in her cabin and never emerge. She’d lost count of how many times a fan had plowed into her to get to Taron, and Bel was thankful she’d asked Eamon to hang back. He was tracking her via her phone, so he hadn’t witnessed the horde trample her. One man had bumped into her so hard that she’d smacked the table and could already feel the bruise blooming on her hip. The discoloration would anger Eamon enough when he saw it later. It was better that his anger didn’t rear its head in the middle of this sardine-packed conference room.

Some fans were sweet. Some even asked if they could photograph her. They’d figured out she was the female detective Taron mentioned on social media, but Bel politely declined. She wasn’t stupid, though. She realized people had snapped photos of her from a distance, but one of Eamon’s contacts owed him a favor. A quick call, and he employed an algorithm to blur her face from any image that found its way onto the internet.

“I’ll be right back.” Taron stood abruptly, yanking Bel out of her thoughts. “Bathroom.” She pointed to the exit to her left.

“Want me to come with you?” The bathroom down that hall was reserved for the cast and crew, but off-limits meant nothing to obsessed fans.

“I’ll be fine,” Taron said. “I just have to peequickbefore we leave for lunch, so stay here and watch my seat.”

“Okay.” Bel nodded, understanding the woman’s need for solitude after their morning. “I’ll give you five minutes before I come looking for you.” She was half joking, but Taron flashed her a pale-faced expression before fleeing the conference room. With pinched eyebrows, Bel traced her movements until she disappeared down the private hallway. What was so unsavory about her comment? She’d be a lousy bodyguard if she let the actress disappear withoutso much asknocking on the bathroom door to check on her.

---