Page 6 of Depraved Truths

“Take a breath, girl,” I laugh. “It’s great to see you, too. Especially away from the hospital.”

Is discussing Conrad something I want to do? Not at all. But I know we’ll circle back to it. Allie has a heart of gold, but she loves a good gossip session. She doesn’t always know when to keep her mouth shut, but she’s the only one in Lake Falls who knows what happened in Atlanta. And as far as I know, she’s kept it to herself.

“What do you think happened to Conrad? I can’t believe he’s dead,” Allie leans in, lowering her voice as she glances around before speaking again. “I bet his uncle hired a hitman to take him out. Everyone knows he did it.”

“You’ve been watching too many crime shows, Alls,” I state casually, glancing down at my light pink nail polish. “I’m sure it was just an accident, like the police said.” It’s a logical theory; I’ll give her that.

“So, how’s everything with you and Dalton?” I ask, desperate to change the topic as I sip my drink, the sweet aroma of coffee swirling around me. The buttery caramel floods my mouth, leaving a warm sweetness behind. Something about Dalton, Allie’s boyfriend of two years, doesn’t sit right with me. He’s good-looking, but his unpredictable mood swings often leave her in tears, and there’s a darkness about him that sets me on edge. She deserves better.

“Oh, everything’s great. I think Dalton may propose soon. I overheard him talking to his mom about his grandmother’s wedding set,” she whispers, practically glowing.

She fills me in on the latest happenings in her life and around town. Allie’s always involved in something, volunteering for this or that. She has a heart that won’t quit, and I love her like the sister I never had. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around, and no matter what’s happening, she manages to make everything feel brighter. I’ve always envied her bubbly, extroverted personality, the way she can walk into a room and instantly light it up. It’s something I’ve never been able to do.

She pauses for a beat, her face falling into something more serious. “This week was tough at work. There’s this little girl I’m worried about. Her mother brought her in after the school reported that she had been acting out in class, showing up unkempt and without money for lunch. While her mother insisted that everything was fine at home, I have a gut feeling that there is more to the story. I think the mother is on drugs.”

“God, that’s horrible. I know those cases are so hard to prove. Did you reach out to Child Protective Services?” I ask, concern threading my voice.

“Oh, definitely. The problem is, those cases take time. Sure, they have to respond within twenty-four hours, but I’m worried something will happen to her in the meantime.” Her eyes fill with unshed tears. She has the biggest heart.

“It’s going to be okay. I know that little girl is in good hands with you. You’ll help her. You were born to be a therapist,” I reassure her, patting her hand briefly.

I make a mental note to investigate the woman and her daughter later. Allie’s always careful about breaking confidentiality, but figuring out who she’s talking about won’t be difficult. We both work at the same hospital, and I have my connections.

We’re chatting about going to the lake when the front doorbell jingles. Allie looks up and freezes, her smile faltering. Turning my head, I meet a pair of vaguely familiar blue eyes—eyes that mirror the deep tumultuous blue of a stormy ocean.

He stares at me, and for a moment, I can’t tear my gaze away. Then I regain my composure enough to avert it. He walks toward us, flashing a casual grin at Allie as he stops to speak.

“Hi, Allie. How’s it going?”

Allie musters a smile. “I’m good, Eli. How’re you doing?”

“Doing good. Who’s your friend?” His gaze slides over me, lingering on my lips for a heartbeat before lifting back to meet my eyes. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

“Oh, this is Tessa. She moved here about a year ago. We’ve been friends since we were kids. We met at summer camp—” she pauses abruptly and clears her throat. “Tess, this is Elijah Huntington. Eli’s from a long line of families that have lived in Lake Falls for decades. He’s also my cousin.”

Cousin? When the hell did Allie get a cousin? Has she been hiding this guy from me?

After composing myself, I extend my hand. “Nice to meet you, Elijah.” His grip is firm, an electric shock tingling my skin. Startled, I glance down at our joined hands before meeting his gaze again.

“You can call me Eli.” A slow smile spreads across his face, making his eyes sparkle with warmth. His expression only enhances his already stunning features. He stands nearly six-foot-four, towering over me, his lean, sculpted frame highlighting well-defined muscles. Elijah Huntington is the epitome of rugged charm. His disheveled caramel-brown hair and chiseled jawline blend effortlessly with the deep blue hue of his eyes,and I could spend days memorizing every inch of him. His full lips, with a hint of a sly smile, pull my attention.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tessa,” he replies, his voice low and lazy. “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”

A flush spreads across my cheeks, and a pleasant warmth blooms in my stomach. My gaze follows him as he walks to the counter to collect his order. His eyes dart toward me as he hands over his money, the burning intensity of his stare making it clear that he’s interested.

Allie raises an eyebrow, sarcasm thick in her voice. “You’re drooling.”

I dart my eyes back to her. “No, I’m not.” Jesus. What’s wrong with me today? I’ve never felt an immediate connection like this with anyone before—if at all. Something deeper than attraction alone.

Just as we’re about to resume our conversation, Eli interrupts with a final, “Have a great day, ladies.”

As he exits the café, he shoots me a flirtatious wink and a lingering glance.

After he’s gone, I hiss at Allie, “What was that about?”

“What do you mean?”

“You looked at him like you’d seen a ghost—or like you were afraid of him. Is there something I need to know?” I demand, suspicion rising.

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