Page 83 of Karma

Surprised, he headed over to the table of women. At the sight of Liza, the constricting feeling that had been banding in his chest all evening, the one that made the condo units seem cold and empty, suddenly eased.

“Hey,” he said, unable to stop the smile that took hold.

“Hey yourself.” Liza looked from him to Cara. “Hi, Cara,” she murmured.

“Hi.” Cara nodded.

“Well, this is a surprise!” Faith rose from her seat and kissed Dare’s cheek.

“And good timing too, I might add,” Kelly said. “Liza was just saying she was ready to leave, which would have ended our party early since we’re her ride.”

A quick glance at Kelly told Dare she had a full drink in front of her and wasn’t ready to go home. Since Dare knew Nash was working on a big case and wasn’t waiting for her, he figured that explained that.

“I’ll be happy to take Liza home.” He glanced at Cara. “Do you mind hanging with them?” he asked.

“Of course not,” she said with a genuine smile.

Liza shook her head. “You don’t have to change your plans for me,” she said, looking from him to Cara. “I can call a cab.”

“Whoa. You’re not going anywhere alone.”

“It’s fine. I don’t want you to feel like you have to babysit me,” she said, not meeting his gaze.

He studied her, confused by her reactions. They’d agreed she needed protection until Brian was located or at least paid back the money he owed. And since when was Dare’s spending time with her about babysitting?

“Umm, Cara, why don’t you take Liza’s seat?” Kelly gestured to the empty chair at the table.

Dare, meanwhile, clasped Liza’s elbow and led her away. “What’s going on?” he asked, leading her to the door.

Silence reigned until they’d reached his car and settled inside.

“Well? Are you going to answer me?” he asked, turning on the engine. He didn’t plan on going anywhere until he had a reply. “Last time we were together, everything was fine. We had an understanding about how things were going to be.” They had more than that, Dare knew, but he sensed now wasn’t the time to bring up feelings she wouldn’t admit to.

Liza fidgeted in her seat. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t want to mess up your night with Cara,” she finally said, ducking her head as she spoke.

So that was it. Liza was jealous of Cara. Huh. Dare wasn’t sure if he was more relieved or pleased he could affect her emotions so strongly.

“Since you had the meeting, I agreed to go with Cara to check out condos in Easton.”

“I know. Kelly told me.” She bit down on her lower lip. “It’s just that you never mentioned it.”

In all the time he’d known her, this was the first time Dare had been privy to her insecurities, and his gut told him to tread lightly. “It was a last-minute decision after our shift ended, and I knew you wouldn’t be home yet. I did let Faith know.”

“Not that,” Liza murmured. “Well, not thatexactly. I didn’t even know you were looking to buy a place.”

She spoke as if she cared about his future plans, and Dare’s heart began a steady gallop in his chest. “I guess it just never came up.”

She nodded. “Because we’re always so wrapped up in my problems and my life. I never bothered to find out more about yours.”

He’d never felt slighted or neglected. “I would have told you tonight. Now that I saw the place.”

“But Cara knew you wanted to buy.”

Despite knowing better, he couldn’t stop the grin edging the corner of his mouth. Yeah, he took pleasure in Liza’s jealousy. So sue him and call him male. “Because I’m around her at work. We have lots of time to talk.”

***

“You’re around methe other half of the time,” Liza said in a sulky voice. She knew how petty and insecure she sounded and hated it. She’d never been either of those things in her life. Never felt possessive or jealous over a man before. More alarming was that she was responding to these unfamiliar feelings by acting like a bitch, and she felt helpless to improve her mood or soften her attitude.

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