Page 32 of Exposé

"What about the men arrested the other night? Can I talk to them?"

He shrugged. "I don't see why not. Although, they probably won't talk to you."

"Because I'm a reporter'?"

"Because they've been conditioned to not say a word to anyone."

I sucked in a slow breath and leaned back on the stone bench, nodding. "Okay. It's worth a shot."

A bicycle bell dinged a fair distance away, filling the silence between us. The scent of fresh-cut grass lingered on the slight breeze, cooling my sun-kissed skin.

"Well, I better get back to work; otherwise, you'll be solving my murder." I laughed.

"I was thinking. If you ever want to relax, we could go out for a bite sometime."

Fiddling with the ends of my hair, I stood and Liam followed.

He leaned into me, placed his hand on my waist, and pressed a light kiss to my cheek. "No pressure. It was just a thought."

I gave him a tight-lipped smile, my stomach swirling as my chest tightened. "Yeah. I'll think about it. There isn't much time for leisure right now."

His hand fell away from my waist, and I cleared my throat, my heart quivering as though it might leap through my chest and whack him in the face.

"I'll see you later, Ava. Stay safe, will you?"

"You too."

I tucked my hands into my pockets, my matching cream-colored blazer tucking behind my arms.

Why did you have to go and make things awkward, Liam?

He moved towards his unmarked car, leaving me with a knot in my gut.

I couldn't date Liam. He was like a best friend intermingled with a brother who'd been around forever and never picked on me.

And besides, you never mix business with pleasure…ever.

7

Ava

Islugged my tired body out ofThe Riverfield Chronicleoffice building, my eyelids sliding shut as though someone had glued weights to my lashes.

Aria walked along beside me, her bag slung over her narrow shoulders.

"Planning on doing anything this weekend?"

I shook my head. "Maybe get some sleep? I have the FOIA to follow up on, and maybe a pizza and a movie."

"Sounds like a lonely blast. Mind if I join?" She looped her arm in mine, our heels clicking on the stained cement.

"Henry won't mind?"

She shrugged as we paused at her car. "He knows I have my own life, too." A sigh broke free, her shoulders falling down. "He's clingy right now, so I'm trying to stay away from it until he simmers down."

"Need a place to stay?"

I thought they were perfect?

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