Page 59 of Frosted and Sliced

Burke nodded. “The irony is that if Siggy hadn’t sent that guy for you, I would never have picked up on it. They got caught up in a net that had nothing to do with them.”

“So you let them go?”

“For tonight. I called some people I know who deal with international crimes of that nature, and they’re going to deal with it.”

“What if they run?” Georgie asked.

“Then the tracking devices I put on them will find them,” Burke said.

“Wow, is that what those circle device things were?”

“No, those were something else, my own little security invention, something new I’m testing calledSentinel.After the break in, I thought it would be a good time to set them up, and I’m glad I did. They sense an intruder and immobilize until help arrives.”

“How do they do that?” Georgette asked.

“They target the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the gut. It basically paralyzes all non-essential function with a series of electric impulses that overwhelms and confuses. It’s not exactly painful, but it’s not non-painful, if you know what I mean. I tested it on myself. I was glad to be done with it.”

“You’re not a hobo, are you.”

He shook his head.

“What are you?” she breathed.

“A guy who’s good with tech,” he said.

They stared at each other, the space between them feeling at once vast and insignificant. Georgette didn’t know how to proceed, and it occurred to her suddenly that neither did Burke. She had wanted the fantasy of a guy who said and did all the right things, but that was all it was: fantasy. In reality that person had turned out to be a lying, manipulative thief. This person, Burke, was real and flawed and possibly clueless. He hadtold her, in multiple ways and on multiple occasions, that he had no idea how to operate in normal relationships. And he had showed her, in numerous ways and on numerous occasions, that he cared. The ball was in her court and maybe always had been, and yet Georgette had hesitated, hoping and waiting for him to make a move.

She stood.

He stood

She took a step forward.

He took a step forward.

They were toe to toe, him staring down at her, her staring up at him.

She licked her lips.

He stared at them.

“Are you sure you’re not hungry? I could make you a sandwich,” she said, reaching for him. Her hand landed on his stomach and she stroked it gently.

Burke shook his head. His hand settled against her neck, cupping her face this time.

“Burke,” she said.

“What?” he asked.

“How do you know when someone loves you, if they never say the words?”

He touched his thumb to her lips. “Georgette, my mom always said the words, and they never counted. Because her actions were toxic, hurtful, and selfish. I swore to myself that I would be different, that I would do the opposite. That I would show up and try to do whatever necessary to show instead of tell.” He swallowed hard. “Have I not done that?”

“Sometimes I think so, but actions without context can be equally meaningless, and I don’t know what it means, Burke. I don’t know what any of it means. You’ve done so many sweet and kind and caring things for me, but you’ve never told mewhy, you’ve never explained any of it.” She blinked up at him, a heartbreaking amount of hope in her eyes.

“I don’t know how to explain, how to say the words.”

There was a part of her that wanted to retreat in disappointment, and maybe hurt, but she pressed on because this was bigger than her hurt feelings. Burke needed her, how could she refuse him? “Were you actually homeless when you moved in here?”

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