Page 56 of Lethal Seduction

I stand and toss my napkin on the table.

“No,” Michael says, holding up his hand toward me trying to get me to stop. “It’s not what you think. I’ve...”

“Save it,” I say. “I should have known this was too good to be true. People like you and me… it never works out.” I grab the water glass on the table, toss it in the intruder’s face, and walk away.

As I leave, I hear Michael say, “Blake. We are not together. What the hell are...”

I pick up the pace and leave before I can hear any more. What’s the point? Clearly, they had a thing and Michael is trying to keep it a secret. Weirder scenarios have happened, why am I so shocked by this one?

As I walk down the sidewalk, I book a ride-share to pick me up at the next stoplight. By the time I arrive, it’s there waiting for me. After opening the door, I look back toward the restaurant, half expecting Michael to be running down the street to stop me from leaving.

Nothing but streetlights and car headlights zooming past. I get into the vehicle and shut the door. Another chapter in my lifenow closed as well. Fuck my life. I really thought this was going to be something.

24

MICHAEL

My home feels more like a prison than it does my sanctuary. Pacing back and forth in the kitchen stopped being therapeutic thirty minutes ago, and I’ve upgraded to walking into the living room. This is ridiculous. Why hasn’t Patrick texted me back? Not even to say, "Fuck off, Michael." Nothing bothers me more than the cold shoulder. Nothing.

Talk about bad timing. Blake showing up at the same restaurant we decided to go to on the same night. How could that loser have even afforded to get inside? No doubt, hooking up with someone twice his age and ten times his annual salary. After our one date ended with me going to the crime scene, we never even spoke again. There was no point, and we both knew it. Or at least I thought he understood that too.

I could strangle him for pretending to be in a relationship with me. I guess he wants revenge for not hearing back from me, but we have absolutely nothing in common. Crossing my arms, I plop down on the sofa like a child having a temper tantrum. It’s not a good look, and I know it. Thank goodness I’m alone, or I’d be embarrassed about it later.

It’s been more than twenty-four hours without a peep from Patrick. I need to do something, so I grab my keys and rush out the door. Tempted to put the removable police light on my car and bust through traffic, I stop myself and take control of my emotions. No sense in working myself up too much until we’ve had a chance to sit down and talk about this.

After all, it’s a silly misunderstanding. Right? It takes longer than I want to reach the Seas the Day Country Club, but as I walk to the entrance, I scan the lot for Patrick’s car. It isn’t there.

I step through the doors and am immediately accosted by Devon. He’s wearing the same tight, white, Daisy Duke shorts and company t-shirt. His eyes light up like fireworks on Independence Day. I know I’m in for a show.

“Well, well, well,” Devon says as he saunters over to me. He puts his hand on my chest and sucks air through his teeth. “What do I owe this pleasure? Did you want my phone number? Oh, I know.” He puts his hands out in front of him, wrists touching each other. “Come to handcuff me? Lock me up and throw away the key, handsome?”

“Cool it,” I say. “I’m not here for you.”

Devon wrinkles his nose. “What do you want then?”

“Have you seen Patrick today? Is he here?”

“That old slag?” Devon’s face pinches together like he’s smelled a garbage pail of rotting fish. “He was a no-show, actually. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets his ass fired for it too.”

“Doesn’t sound like Patrick to risk so much to have a day off. Has he done this before?”

He shakes his head. “No, but there’s a first time for everything.”

“Is Tina here?”

Cocking his head to the side, Devon narrows his eyes. “What’s with the third degree? Are they involved in something?”

“Please, Devon,” I say. “Have you seen Tina?”

“Fine, she came in for her shift, but when Patrick didn’t show up, she freaked out. Said something about him not being at his house when she checked on him this morning. Told our boss she was sick—something about her monthly cycle. Once she said that, the boss wanted to hear nothing else. Sent her home.”

“Do you have her phone number?”

“I can’t just give you her phone number.”

“I’m the police, and this is important. I need to get in touch with her immediately.”

We have a stare-off. I can see the wheels turning in Devon’s head. He doesn’t have any kind of loyalty to Tina, but he’s probably calculating how far he can push me or what he can get out of me before he hands it over.

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