Page 19 of Into the Shadows

After I fill her in, she gives me an amused look. “What were you going to do when you got back to your house?”

I grimace. “I hadn't really thought about it.”

She snorts and then skillfully makes a U-turn on the deserted road. We get back to my truck and work together to get my groceries into the trunk of Lottie’s car. A few minutes later, we're back on the road, headed to my house. It's been a few weeks since Lottie came over, and in that time, I've settled into my new reality.

Living in Sonoma wasn't where I thought I'd end up. I hadn't decided what I would be doing when I got out, but I never imagined I’d be living in Grandad's old house.

Since I've been here, though, I can't say I hate it. The people in town are nosy, and it took a few dark stares to keep them from sticking their noses into my business, but it's more peaceful here than I ever imagined it to be. Life seems to move slowly, and while I'm working to find my new normal, I'm appreciating the slower pace.

I've also spent more time than I would care to admit wondering about Lottie. What has she been up to? How long has she lived in Sonoma? Last week, I broke and read all the emails she had sent me.

Not a single one described her dating life. Most of the time, they were just updates about things she was doing and what she was interested in at the time. I don't know if she has a boyfriend or is dating someone or hell, if she’s fucking married. And I won't lie and say I'm not curious. I'm dying to know if a man has finally snapped her up, and if not, what the fuck is wrong with the menin Sonoma?

The rain continues to pound against the windshield. The longer we’re out in this, the slower Lottie has to drive until she's clinging to the steering wheel with white knuckles.

By the time we get back to my house, I’m a ball of tension. There's no way I can let Lottie leave in this weather, but that also means she has to stay in my space for an extended period.

With resignation, I turned toward her. “Come inside. You're not going home in this weather.”

She bristles. “What do you mean? I can drive home. It’s just rain. I'll drive slow.”

“Over my dead body,” I retort. “You're not driving home in this. That would be asinine. I will come around and carry you into my house if you make me.” I get out of the car and walk around the hood to open Lottie's door.

She sits there for a moment, making me suffer in the cold rain, until she huffs and gets out of the car by herself. We grab the groceries from the trunk and race inside the house. I take off my wet jacket and hang it up on the hooks by the door, and Lottie follows suit.

I wave toward the measly furniture I have in the living room. “Make yourself at home. I’ll get you some dry clothes.”

I walk down the hallway and change my clothes as quickly as my balance allows. Once I’m dry again, I grab a towel, a T-shirt, and some sweatpants for Lottie. She’ll swim in them, but it’s all I have.

Chapter 12

Lottie

Teddy’s house is…bare.

The wallpaper is faded yellow and crumbling. What little furniture there is looks like it was bought in the eighties, and the wood floors are scuffed in multiple places. With a little bit of love, this place could be beautiful, but I can't imagine the grumpy, growly man that is Teddy would be willing to put in that kind of effort.

The clomp of Teddy’s boots signals his arrival. He's in a tight army green T-shirt that makes his biceps look huge and a pair of cargo pants that have more pockets than I would know what to do with.

“Here. This is the best I can do.” He holds out a stack of clothes.

I take them, fighting the urge to shove my nose in the material and sniff. “Thanks.”

“You want coffee or something?” he asks, walking through the living room into his open kitchen.

“Sure, that sounds good.” I step into the hallway where Teddy can no longer see me and change my clothes. They smell like clean laundry with just a hint of man. I have to rollthe sweatpants up three times before they’ll stay on my hips, and the T-shirt hangs down almost past my thighs, but there’s no way I’d ever pass up a chance to wear Teddy’s clothes.

I fold my arms across my chest as I walk back into the living room. I don't think I've ever been this uncomfortable in a situation. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. Teddy has made it abundantly clear that he doesn't want my company, yet he wouldn't let me leave, so now I'm the unwanted guest with zero idea of what to do about it.

Teddy bustles around the kitchen, coffee cups clinking as the water heats in the coffee maker. The silence between us is about to drive me crazy.

“Did you know it’s legal to have sex with a corpse in more than twenty states? Can you believe it’s not illegal in all of them?”

Teddy freezes and then looks over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow. “What? Why the fuck do you know that?”

I shrug. “Research from my job.”

“Ah, the podcast.”

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