Page 14 of Delicate Escape

“Is it a crime to love what you do?” I asked, unable to disguise the hint of defensiveness in my tone.

Rhodes was quiet for a moment, her assessing stare penetrating. “Of course, not. But I can’t help but wonder what exactly you’re running from.”

“Maybe I’m not runningfromanything. Maybe I’m runningtoward it.” That’s what I’d always told myself. That I was chasing the buzz of creation. Rebuilding.

“Maybe.” Rhodes leaned the pitchfork against her wheelbarrow. “You doing okay with everything?”

Byeverything, she meant the fact thatDatelinehad run a full-episode exposé on Silas Arnett and his decades-long reign of terror last night. I swallowed the bile churning. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

Rhodes shrugged. “We could ask each other. Since we both care, and we’ve been through some shit.”

I hadn’t been through anything. Not compared to Rhodes. I didn’t deserve the check-ins and worry. But she did. Not only had she lost her entire family at thirteen, but the bastard had come back to finish the job. And he’d gotten close to her through me.

“I’m good. How areyou?” That was what I really wanted to know. No, it was what Ineededto know. Because maybe if I was sure Rhodes truly was all right, I could release some of the guilt that was eating me alive.

“Well, if I actually believed that lie about you being good, I would be good, as well. But since I don’t, I’m annoyed.”

A chuckle slipped free unbidden, and I wrapped an arm around Rhodes, giving her a noogie through her hat.

She twisted, batting at me with her good arm. “Stop it!” She turned, pinching my side,hard.

“Shit, Rho,” I grumbled, releasing her and rubbing my abused skin.

It was then that she really took me in. “What are you wearing?”

I glanced down, suddenly remembering I was still in theCupcake Cutieshirt from earlier. I’d gotten shit all morning from my crew. “Had a little incident at the bakery.”

Rhodes arched a brow. “Incident, huh?”

“Minor spill, that’s all.”

“Did Thea dump a cup of coffee over your head?”

I scowled at my sister. “You sound like you’d be proud of her if she did.”

One corner of her mouth kicked up. “I like that she keeps you on your toes. You’re too used to women falling at your feet.”

My scowl only deepened. “They don’t fall at my feet.”

Rhodes scoffed. “You’ve got that whole golden-boy thing. They love you a little too much. You need someone who isn’t putty in your hands.”

I didn’t feel very golden, especially not this past month.

“Oh, crud,” Rhodes said, glancing at her watch. “I forgot I was supposed to grab the newest kitten fosters for her.”

“For Thea?” I asked. God, I was pathetic. Desperate for the tiniest clue about the woman.

Rhodes nodded. “She’s officially on Nancy’s Wags & Whiskers roster now.”

Rhodes and our grandma, Lolli, had been involved with the animal rescue for years, but I hadn’t known that Thea had gotten plugged in. Somehow, it didn’t surprise me, and the knowledge had me opening my mouth before I could stop myself.

“I can drop them off at her place.”

A knowing smile spread across Rhodes’ face, but she didn’t give me a hard time. “You sure?”

“I’m done for the day.”

“All right. I’m texting you Thea’s address, and you have Nancy’s.”

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