Page 19 of Summer Shivers
“No, everyone loved him.”
I cock my head at that answer. She ignores it.
“Why call me?” I frown. She told me what happened that night, and she told me she didn’t do it, but not once has she revealed why she reached out to me at all.
“I want you to help prove I didn’t do it. I know I have no right to ask you after I left the way I did—”
“Genevieve, you deserted me.”
“I didn’t feel like I had a choice. You were spinning up again, wouldn’t tell me why—” She stops mid-sentence biting her bottom lip in a way that makes me think about her mouth on my dick.
“There were things going on I couldn’t tell you. You know that.”
“There were always things going on you couldn’t tell me.”
“That’s how security clearance works, babe.”
“You should have trusted me!”
“That’s not how it works either!”
“You promised you wouldn’t leave.”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“You always—” She flings a hand in the air dismissing me. “You know what, let’s leave the past in the past for now. Obviously, we can’t agree on—forget it. Will you help me or not?”
There’s something she’s not sharing. Whether it’s about leaving me, or her husband dying I’m not sure.
But I’m going to find out.
nine
GENEVIEVE
He hasn't really saida word since I've told him what happened. Or at least the version of what happened that I plan to admit to.
I just can’t tell if he’s trying to work out whether to help me or not?
We’ve been sitting her now for almost five minutes, not saying anything. I know it got a little heated, but I didn’t expect him to just shut down.
I study him. It’s not like I forgot how ruggedly beautiful he is. But having him here, this close to me, is intoxicating. Like the reminder I never needed. I’m not sure I can handle him being around. But I know for certain I don’t want him to leave. Even if that would probably be for the best.
“I shouldn't have called. I’m sorry.” I stand to show him out, but Tyler stops me with a wave of his hand.
“I believe you.” He meets my gaze and holds it. For the first time since this started, I feel relief. No one else . . . not Grant, not the police at the station, not the neighbor I saw as I watched the sunset last night, has seemed to believe me.
“You need a criminal defense attorney?”
I sigh. “I know. Grant said he’d send me a list of five lawyers he recommended. I need to go through them to see if one will take my case.” I look to my hands in lap and pick at my peeling nail polish.
“Don’t work with an attorney referred by the attorney of the victim. I got a couple guys. Defense attorneys. Good ones. They won’t hesitate to take your case. One owes me. Let me give him a call and set something up.”
I don’t look up. I can’t yet. I’m not ready for the look on his face, whatever that may be. Tyler leans forward and snaps his fingers in front of me so I look at him. “Pay attention. I’ll find the truth.” His beautiful brown eyes stare back at me, and I can see he really does believe me.
This is all I needed . . . hope.
I give him a nod, because if I speak, I might cry. Finally, I have someone who is going to help prove I didn’t kill Harrison.
