Page 55 of Mann Hunt
“Look, I’m new at this…romance thing. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
“That’s obvious. We’ll just have to make sure he doesn’t find that out,” she said. “You have to assess your strengths. You’re smart. You’re cute as a button—”
“You’re my grandmother. You have to say stuff like that.”
“You’re kind and considerate, and you have the greatest smile I have ever seen. In the end, the best advice I can give is—just be the best you that you can be, and you’ll be just fine.”
Charlie shifted on the floor and looked at his grandmother. “How do I know who I am?”
“Only you can figure that out.”
Charlie raised himself onto his knees and gave her a hug. “Thanks, Gran.”
“I’m here for you whenever you need confusing advice.”
Charlie headed down to his room in the basement. He flopped onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling…Tomorrow, I’ll make him notice me.
* * * *
Declan’s phone chirped. It was a text from Luke.
Can I come over? We should talk.
Declan responded.
I’m home now. I’ll leave the doors open.
This was going to be an interesting meeting.
Be there in ten,Luke replied.
In exactly ten minutes, Declan heard someone coming up the stairs. Luke walked in. He was dressed in a well-fitting pale blue shirt and tight Levi’s 501s. He carried a gym bag.
All prepped for fun, Declan thought.
“Hey there,” Declan said. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise.”
“Can I…get you a drink?” Declan offered.
“That’d be nice.” Luke dropped his gym bag on the floor. “I didn’t notice how nice this place was last time I was here. You must be doing well.”
Declan passed him a tumbler of Scotch. “I get by. One case at a time.”
“You own, or rent?”
“Rent. The owner runs the pastry shop downstairs.”
Declan sat on the edge of the desk. Luke moved in a little closer. “I should stop in there sometime.”
“You hardly seem the type to indulge in sweets,” Declan commented, touching Luke’s waist, where he found no trace of fat.
“Just for coffee.” Luke stared at him in awkward silence. “So…the Mann case. I’ve got to admit, it was a bit of a surprise to find you there.”
“Yeah… Katherine approached me yesterday. She was afraid one of the cops that interviewed her wasn’t going to give her a fair shake. I wondered if it might have been the case you told me about the other day, but didn’t know for sure until she mentioned McKeckran by name.”
“Technically, we shouldn’t talk about the case,” Luke said as he moved in closer.
