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Malia smiled. Solucky that he’s staying next door!
Then, as she gathered up the remains of their meal and divided the trash between the recycling, compost, and garbage bins, doubts began creeping in.
What the hell am I doing, fooling around with one of Travis Bickham’s buddies? Even if Lucas isn’t really a lowlife, he’s certainly keeping the wrong kind of company.
She winced at the memory of Gage’s expression when he’d caught her kissing Lucas. She hoped he wouldn’t tell anyone else in the pack that she was having a fling with an out-of-towner.
And then there was that strange moment when it seemed like Lucas and Gage recognized each other.
Then again, Gage regularly manned roadside checkpoints to inspect hunters’ kills and fishermen’s catches, and to verify that people had the correct permits and tags. Had he stopped Lucas?
That would account for the surprise on both sides.
But something about the whole incident earlier tonight bugged her.
Or maybe she was just irritated at the possibility that her pack members were checking up on her private life.
And Lucas rushing away after their encounter bothered her, too. He’d seemed totally into her while they’d been making out. Then, boom! He’d raced out the door almost as soon as he’d gotten off.
Don’t be jealous of his kids, she chided with herself.It’s admirable that he cares so much about them. He was just being a good dad.
* * *
Text message from Tringstad, Gage:What the hell was going on with you and Malia? Are you nuts?
Text message from Winter, Lucas:Dammit, Gage, why didn’t you warn me that she’s my neighbor? And yes, I was momentarily deranged.
Text message from Tringstad, Gage:Wasn’t expecting you to make a move on her. Seriously, L. What the actual hell? She’s way too young for you.
Text message from Winter, Lucas:I know. Sorry. Won’t happen again. I swear. No idea what came over me.
Text message from Tringstad, Gage:Glad to hear it. If fooling around with her is part of your grand plan to catch B and S, I’m warning you to leave her the hell out of it. I don’t want her getting hurt.
* * *
Tuesday, August 10
All throughout the next morning, Malia couldn’t stop thinking about the way that Lucas had kissed and touched her.
Apparently, she was really bad at hiding her thoughts, because when Malia clocked in for her shift, Mom commented about her being in a such good mood.
Oops.
Malia hoped she managed to dodge the question without betraying herself. But it was a relief to be on solo patrol again today. No uncomfortable questions to field from a partner.
Malia’s friends were another matter.
“What’s got you looking sweeter than stolen honey?” asked Maggie during Malia’s lunch break, when she stopped in at Cinnamon + Sugar to pick up a sandwich and iced tea.
Maggie was working the register and helping Ellie with barista duties.
“Nothing,” Malia protested. Her face immediately heated, as if broadcasting her lie.Smooth. Real smooth.“I mean, um, I just talked to Rob. He’s healing up well and might be able to go home tomorrow.”
Her brother had been bored and cranky about being confined to the hospital now that the majority of his minor injuries were healed. He had pressed her about the status of the investigation, and she’d been forced to admit that she didn’t have any news for him. She was still waiting on the results of the ballistics tests from the state’s crime lab, and so far, she hadn’t been able to tie Bickham and Silvers to the shooting in any other way.
No witnesses, no confessions. No evidence.Yet.
“Don’t give me that,” Maggie said, grinning at her. She pointed and continued in what sounded like a Mom Voice, “Elizabeth Malia Jacobsen-Swanson, you’reglowing. So, fess up.”
