Page 93 of One Touch

Her soft wrinkled hand gripped mine tightly. “What else did you find?”

My brows pinched together. “Not much else. Some papers and other things I can’t make much sense out of without context. This photograph is the best lead I’ve got about the history of the speakeasy.”

Releasing my hand, she took a slow, steadying breath before gently clearing her throat. “Bring what you have to the library, and I might be able to help you go through the archives.” She paused. “Come tomorrow after closing. We’ll have more privacy then and can go through it together.”

A tiny ripple of unease rolled through my belly at her startling reaction to the photograph. I tamped it down and smiled. “Thank you.”

Despite tiny warning bells telling me not to trust a King, I needed to know the secrets my family and that house were keeping.

* * *

“Doyou really think she recognized someone?” Beckett looked over the plate of Thai noodles we shared, his chopsticks resting gently in his fingers. My eyes appreciated the cut lines of his bare shoulders and torso as he sprawled across the rug in front of his fireplace.

I tilted my head back and wove a noodle into my mouth. I thought, chewing, and shrugged. “She was acting weird. Surprised, maybe?”

“If she knows more, maybe it has something to do with both families.” His eyes narrowed, considering. “Business deal gone bad?”

“Boring,” I offered with a sly smile. “Love triangle?”

“Betrayal and backstabbing. That’s fun,” he teased. “Maybe the woman was a witch and they were her henchmen.” His eyes danced with humor as we came up with more stories for the three friends in the photograph.

“Neighbors who bonded over a love of blueberries and bourbon.”

“Nudists who took one annual clothed photo.”

“Maybe,” I said, giggling. “Or maybe one guy was desperately in love with Helen but never said anything. He enlisted in the army, and when he came back, she was with the other guy.”

He rolled his eyes. “So a love triangle, like you said.”

I pushed a piece of steamed broccoli toward him, and he pinched it between his chopsticks before popping it into his mouth.

“Sure, a love triangle, but aheartbreakingone.” I placed my hand over my heart for dramatic emphasis.

He shrugged. “Maybe they were just friends ... before their families got in the way and started whatever bullshit feud has lasted all this time.”

I stared down at the picture, knowing the simplest answer was probably right. “Yeah, maybe. I just can’t help the nagging feeling that itmeanssomething, though. Someone cared enough about the photograph to keep it.”

Staring back at me from the photo was a woman who was free. You could almost hear the lightness of her laughter. She washappy.

I wanted that too.

I gathered up my courage and pushed my plate aside so I could settle in next to Beckett.

“So I’ve been kicking around an idea ...” I swallowed hard as my nerves threatened to get the best of me.

Beckett kissed my shoulder and pulled me closer. “Oh ... does it involve you getting naked again?” he teased.

“Not exactly. It’s a business idea. Well ...” I let out a gentle, nervous laugh. “Business and personal, I guess.”

He sat up, letting his forearms drape over his bent knees. Seriousness settled over his features as he positioned himself to listen. “Okay.”

I smoothed back my hair and pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders.

Shit. I really should have put on more clothes before having this conversation.

“People have been asking for weeks what our nextHome Againproject is. What if we, ya know ... did one?”

My heart tumbled as a frown pulled at his lips. “Another reno project? Together?”

---