Page 37 of Into the Shadows

“How long have you been here?” I ask, sitting next to Teddy.

Noah reaches across the table to squeeze my arm in greeting. “A little while. We saw you interviewing that slimy asshole but didn’t want to interrupt. When I saw you end the recording, I knew it was time to swoop in before he could make a move.”

“Please tell me you got some information from him,” Teddy says.

“A little bit. Not as much as I was hoping for, though.”

“Noah had to hold me back from charging over there like a raging bull.”

I snort. “I think I would’ve enjoyed that.”

“No, you would’ve been annoyed that he interrupted,” Noah calls me out.

“Yeah, probably.” I laugh. “Well, I’ll let you finish your lunch. Thank you for the rescue.” I smack a quick kiss on Teddy’s cheek, then start to pull away, but he pulls me back in for a lingering kiss to my mouth. He nods as if he’s satisfied now. With a blush heating my face, I say goodbye to Noah.

He winks at me. “See you later, Lottie.”

I scan Main Street as I walk to my car, watching the shoppers lining the sidewalks. Something snags my attention out of the corner of my eye. I stand at my open car door, trying to find what it is, but all I see are people moving in and out of stores.

I know I saw something. But was it an innocent movement that caught me off guard or something more nefarious?

Chapter 22

Teddy

Driving away from Lottie's house was one of the hardest things I've done in a while. Something changed in the past couple of weeks. I’m no longer wallowing in the grief of what I thought my life would look like. I’ve finally accepted my reality, and with Lottie by my side, I have a feeling it could be pretty great.

Part of me still doesn't believe that what’s happening between us will last. But a much bigger part hopes that it will. I’m walking to my front door when a small sound catches my attention. I freeze for a moment, trying to listen again, and then I hear it.

Meow.

A tiny grey puffball saunters out from under the porch. I stand there, watching it come toward me, full of bravery and curiosity. When it rubs up against my leg, I squat. “Hello there. Where did you come from?” I give it a scratch behind its ears, then look around to see if I can find its mom.

The kitten purrs under my palm while we wait. I give it another moment before I pick up the little guy and carry him inside. He fits perfectly in my palm. His fur is dirty but stilldowny soft, and his green eyes are as bright as a forest on a summer day.

“What am I going to do with you, eh?”

All I get is a squeak in response.

“I tookyou more for a dog person than a cat person.”

I look up from the cat toys in my hand to find Noah smirking at me. I huff out a laugh. “I would’ve said the same thing a few hours ago.”

“Ah, so the cat adopted you, then?”

“Definitely.” I throw both toys into the cart instead of choosing one. “A kitten found its way to my house. I figured I didn’t have much of a choice.”

“Not in the slightest. We have three cats for the same reason. Plus, I can’t say no to my girls.”

I push my cart down the aisle of the Mango Mart. The small grocery store surprised me with its options for pet supplies. I’d expected the bare minimum of items, but there were plenty of things to choose from for dogs and cats.

“You doing anything right now?” Noah asks, following me up to the checkout lanes.

I purse my lips and shake my head. “Nope.” I should be finding a job. My medical retirement pay only covers so much. But I have no idea what I want to do with my life, so I’ll keep putting it off until I have no choice.

“Let’s go get lunch. The girls kicked me out of the house for their spa day, and I have nothing else to do.”

I grin. “That’s why you’re roaming around a grocery store without buying anything?”

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