One to Take (One to Hold 8)

The phone cuts through my discomfort, and I reach out to touch the button for speakerphone. “Stuart Knight,” I say.

“Let me guess, you’re already searching for a reason to leave.” Derek’s voice is a good, familiar sound, and he’s exactly right about how I feel.

I have to laugh. “You got me.”

“At least knowing your ass this long has some perks. I confess I was surprised when you said you were coming back. I thought Montana had won this time. What happened?”

Exhaling, I drop into the soft leather chair. “Too much to go into here, brother. I’ll have to tell you another day.”

“Over scotch at Mediterra. I’ll drive up tomorrow.”

Derek relocated to North Carolina when he and Melissa got married. So did my little brother with his wife Elaine, who was already living there.

“Anything pressing you need me to handle?”

“Not really. Slayde does a great job handling our business in Princeton. I’ll go through my files and see if there’s anything that might interest you. We can chat about it all tomorrow evening.”

“Sounds good.” I hit the button to end our call. I take a moment to look over the files sitting out on the desk.

Alexander-Knight LLC specializes in online security for several of the largest banks in the country. It’s all about keeping the hackers out and maintaining online security. We get notices of threats pretty regularly, which we do our best to follow in the hopes of arresting minor criminals before they commit major crimes. It’s good work, but to me, it’s as boring as hell.

I flip through a few documents, open a few windows on the computer. From what I can tell, nothing is outstanding. Shutting the computer down, I collect my keys and head out the door.

* * *

Mariska

Back a month with no sign of an engagement ring is all the encouragement Pete needs to start leaving me little gifts again. The first was a beaded hemp bracelet wrapped in purple tissue.

Kenny had pulled it out of my cubby and tried it on her wrist. “Here we go again,” she muttered under her breath.

My eyes flashed out to the gym where my constant admirer was working with a retiree. “Stop, he’ll hear you.”

“He’s fifty feet away!”

“He’ll know you’re talking about him if you’re holding his gift.” She rolled her eyes and stuffed my gift back in my cubby.

Now, following my new haircut and new clothes, the gifts are preppier. Kenny leans on the counter looking at the latest addition, a slim phone case. It’s white with gold stripes and has my initials in a circle on the back.

“Can I b

e Pete’s forever love next?” she teases. “I need a new phone case.”

I straighten when he walks up beside her. “Hey, Mare.” He puts his hands on the counter and leans forward, flexing his triceps. “Would you mind mixing up a cinnamon bun smoothie for me?”

Blinking away, I dump dark green powder in the mixer and reach for the canister of protein. “It’ll be a second. I’m making Kenny’s Matcha tea, and I’ll need to wash everything so it doesn’t taste weird.”

“You’re the best.” He smiles and steps back dropping his chin and grinning up through his eyebrows. “Sorry for the extra work.”

Kenny exhales a groan. “She has to wash the blender anyway.”

Cutting my eyes at her, I empty half a cup of ice and hit the button. The loud whirr prevents any more discussion, but Pete gives me a wink. His eyes are bright blue, and when he grins that way, a dimple shows on his cheek. He’s actually a great guy. My heart’s just never been in it.

Releasing the button, I grab Kenny’s insulated cup and dump it in, passing the drink to her.

“Cinnamon bun…” I say flipping through my notebook, quickly passing the sketch that always shreds my insides.

“Thanks,” he says, waiting. Kenny is still with us sipping and watching. I can’t tell if he’s waiting for her to leave. I’m silently praying she stays.