One to Keep (One to Hold 2)

Bacon spilled out of mine, which I immediately scooped up with my fingers into my mouth, getting a salty-tangy blast. Then I snagged a thick-cut French fry off my plate and shoved it in my mouth.

“Sorry,” he said. “I was answering emails.”

I nodded, chewing, waiting. “So spill it,” I finally said. “Why are you acting like you just robbed the hotel safe?”

Derek reached for the glass of water sitting on the glossy bar in front of him and took a long sip, not meeting my eyes. For a few moments he didn’t answer. Then he only said, “Something happened.”

“Something like what?” I asked between bites.

“I’ve crossed some pretty significant lines, and I’m not sure how to handle it.”

That stopped me. If I’d learned anything in the last month, it was Derek Alexander did not cross lines. I also noticed he wasn’t eating. Something major must’ve happened, but his tone didn’t match what he was saying. It didn’t add up. His words were serious, but his voice was… happy?

“What have you done?” I asked, preparing to troubleshoot.

“I can’t say. But I?

?m pretty sure it’s your fault somehow.” He actually smiled, and took a bite of his lunch then.

What the hell? I leaned back on the stool, frowning. “I’m not taking the blame for anything until I know what it is.”

He put the sandwich down and clapping me hard on the shoulder. “Just know it’s a good thing.” Then his voice dropped, and his eyes returned to his drink. “Once I figure it out, I think it’s going to be a very good thing.”

He seemed finished discussing his mysterious problem, and I took another bite, thinking about my not-so-mysterious problem. “So what’s happening back at the office?”

Derek took another sip of the water before answering. “Haven’t caught up with Susan yet,” he said. “I left a message for her to have our new secretary close up shop for the week. Told her we had a pretty big, unexpected case come up and not to worry about coming in. But we’d still pay her for the time.”

“Think that’ll work?”

“With no one there to train her or give her assignments, there’s no reason for her to go in. Try not to worry about it. As soon as I catch up with Sue, we’ll work out some plan for getting a replacement.”

I nodded. “At least the texts have stopped.”

“Hopefully this will just be a somewhat stressful learning experience for you.” He shocked me by smiling again, then he stood and put his napkin on the bar. “I’ve got to do some work. See you later.”

“At eight.” I stopped him. “I made dinner dates for us. Be back here at eight.”

“What?” I couldn’t figure this guy out. Now he seemed angry. Whatever. He’d get over it when he saw Melissa. She was pretty hot, if somewhat quiet.

“Two very lovely ladies I met before you came down are joining us for dinner. Trust me, you’ll like them.”

His lips pressed into a frown. “Are they here for the convention?”

“They’re here for the spa.”

Something flickered in his eyes, like vague disbelief. “The spa?” He nodded, saying, “I’ll be here,” before taking off again.

“At eight,” I repeated, my thoughts already skipping ahead to tonight and seeing Elaine again.

* * *

Dinner could not have gone better if I’d planned every second. Elaine and Melissa showed up just minutes after Derek and I’d taken our seats, and after some strange hesitation on Melissa’s part, we all were sitting and sharing glasses of cava. I wouldn’t have ordered the Spanish sparkling wine, but Derek’s choice turned out to be exactly right for the evening. Elaine’s eyes shone along with the crystal and the drinks. Everything about her was radiant and beautiful. She was amazing. Her lips parted, and I wanted to taste those lips. I wanted to hold her in my arms. I wanted her in my bed.

“So what do you do to be so buff?” She asked, touching my bicep.

“We’re private investigators,” I said, catching her hand and holding it. She didn’t pull away. “And we’ve done complete background checks on both of you lovely ladies.”

It was a joke, I didn’t even know her last name, which she was quick to point out.