Page 81 of Midnight Secrets

“No.”

A beat of silence passed, then, “No way! You snagged the realtor, didn’t you?”

My lips flattened, not liking his wording. “We’re dating, yes.”

“I thought she was off-limits because of your case. What happened to that? Did you solve it?”

“No, it’s still ongoing and as frustrating as ever. Riggs just rearranged some aspects of it. Any formal contact about the case with her is going through him, and he made himself primary.”

“And you don’t mind that?” Ellis’s tone held a note of disbelief.

“I would, normally, you’re right, but he made a good point. We’re not exactly in a bustling metropolis, so chances at love and happiness don’t come along every day. I decided he was right.”

“Wait, love? You barely know this woman.”

“I know.” I rested my wrist over the steering wheel. “And I didn’t say I was there yet. But I can see myself getting to that point. Claire is amazing. Sometimes, the right one just comes along, you know?”

“Or the one you think is the right one.” Bitterness filled my brother’s voice. A pang of sorrow went through me. I hoped one day he could get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and find someone to banish the darkness from his heart.

“Don’t know if you don’t try,” I responded. “Anyway, I’m getting ready to go pick up dinner for us.” Indecision had me shifting in my seat. Ellis had called to hang out, which meant he was in the mood for company, and I felt bad for turning him down. I’d moved here to be closer to him. Not to find myself a woman and push him aside for her. “Would you like to join us? We’re having crab from Kellerman’s.”

Ellis laughed. “Are you serious? What woman wants her date to bring his brother?”

“She’s not exactly expecting me, so…”

“Even more reason for me to stay behind. Unannounced visits have a different expectation.”

It was my turn to snort. “It’s not like I haven’t stayed every night for the last several. I probably will tonight too. She won’t mind if you come eat with us.” He was starting to piss me off. Claire wasn’t the kind of woman to care if I occasionally invited my brother over for dinner. If she was, well, then I needed to rethink moving forward with this relationship. Ellis was part of my life. A big part.

I started the car and made the decision for him. “I’m buying extra. Get your ass to her house in thirty minutes.”

“Oz—”

I interrupted him and rattled off her address, then hung up. He might show up. He might not. If he didn’t, well, I guess we’d have cold crab for lunch tomorrow.

Twenty-five minutes later, I had a sack full of crab and was on my way to Claire’s.

The first flurries started to fall as I turned onto her street. Ellis’s truck was nowhere to be seen. I tried not to let disappointment take hold. I wanted him and Claire to get to know each other. Any relationship I had with a woman would need to include him.

Parking in the drive, I had a thought. It could be that Ellis wasn’t ready for the change.

With that in mind, I got out, snagging the bag of food. I wouldn’t push him. Eventually, I had faith, he’d come around.

My truck beeped as I locked the doors. Anticipation built in my veins as I faced the house and took my first steps toward it. Warm light glowed from the front windows.

She was in there. Probably cross-legged on the couch, head bent as she typed away on her computer. Yesterday, she told me she was determined to be caught up by the end of theweek. I didn’t doubt she would be. The majority of her business documents were stored online, so it was mostly a matter of restoring systems and reprinting things they needed hard copies of, as well as scanning client documents, like statements that hadn’t been digitized yet, that were lost in the fire.

But she also needed to take care of herself and eat. That’s why I was here. To make her take a break.

The sound of an engine drew my attention away from the house. I glanced back to see a black truck slow and pull up to the curb.

Ellis.

A genuine smile lit my face.

The truck shut off and he got out.

“Couldn’t pass up crab after all, huh?”

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