Page 12 of Rescuing Alix

“Sure, shoot.”

“Do you really think somebody did this to me out of spite?”

He’d expected that question from her. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what he’d been thinking since last night. Things just didn’t add up and it all looked too easy. He might have to do some inspecting on his own later. He didn’t really want her to know that though.

“Well…” he hesitated a few seconds too long.

“Please be honest with me, this really has me freaked out.”

“I know it does and I’m sorry about that. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you Alix. The truth sucks but yes, I do think this fire was done on purpose, I just haven’t figured out what that purpose is yet.”

“Sounds like a ‘but’ there?”

“Did anyone ever tell you you’re too observant?”

“Yep, many times, now spill. What are you up to?”

Kody could only laugh. Looks like anything that he did from here on out, he’d have a partner in crime. Apparently, she had no intention of letting him go off on his own to figure anything out.

“No sense in hiding anything from you huh? Okay, I thought maybe I’d just do a little investigating on my own. Now before you even ask, I’d rather you not come with me when I do but I’m afraid you aren’t going to give me that option, are you?”

“Nope. So, since this is your day off and I obviously don’t have to work, do you want to splash around on the beach awhile, maybe make our way down to the Driftwood Inn? We can talk more about how we’re going to look for more clues or whatever you had in mind and get some dinner?”

“Partner, I like the way you think.”

Chapter Nine

They waited for the traffic to clear and the light to change for pedestrians and made their way past the fire station out onto the beach.

The Driftwood Inn was a couple miles down the beach so in the midst of splashing each other with water a couple times, walking slow with a whole lot of talking, it took them over two hours to reach the popular out door restaurant attached to the Inn. It was late afternoon but not quite time for the evening crowd so they had their pick of the patio.

“I’ve always wanted to come here.”

“Wait, you suggested it but you’ve never been?” Kody had assumed she’d been there before since she gave the idea.

“Yeah, silly I know. It just never worked out I guess. I haven’t been one for going out on too many dates these last few years.”

“Well then I think we need to officially call this our second date.”

“Wow we’ve eaten food from each other’s houses and I even spent the night at yours, doesn’t feel like we shouldonlybe on our second date. I definitely think it’s well deserved but I must insist you let me pay; it was my idea to come here after all.”

Hold the phone…that’s where he had to draw the line. No way on this green earth would he ever let a woman pay for a date. Call him old fashioned but it wasn’t right. Besides, he’d be the laughing stock of the whole station.

“Alix, I can’t let you do that but it’s a nice thought.” When she meant to protest again he cut her off. “Can we just agree to disagree on this particular subject? When we are on a date, I pay. Please? It’s a guy thing okay?”

“Why are men so stubborn…okay fine, since it seems I don’t have any other choice? Thank you.”

Things went smoothly after Alix’s concession. They both ordered different things so they could try each other’s and got an appetizer to share and even an adult beverage since they were walking home. The rest of dinner went by in a blur as they talked more about themselves and things they liked. Before they knew it, hours had passed and it was time to start back.

Once outside the restaurant, holding hands seemed natural as they started walking in the direction of Alix’s apartment. Her steps slowed.

“Where are we heading now?”

“Well I thought maybe I’d walk you home then retire myself…gotta work early tomorrow.” He didn’t want her to know what he’d really planned on doing.

“Oh no you don’t mister. I know exactly what you were thinking. I know I’ve only known you for a few days…”

“Three to be exact.”

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