“What?”
“You’re trying to distract me from my original question.”
The night was chilly but not too cold. He smelled firewood on the breeze. Wispy clouds slipped past the stars and over the moon.
Darius matched his steps to hers. “I really haven’t thought about the fundraiser.”
Peyton tilted her head. “From what I understand, there’s a real need to raise money for the community center.”
“Yes, there is.” The center’s roof leaked, and the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system needed repairs. It could also use new computers.
“Darius Knight! Is that you?”
Darius identified the female figure coming out of the shadows on the other side of the parking lot. “Evening, Ginny.”
Virginia Carp stepped into a pool of light right in front of the apartment building. She slid a look Peyton’s way. “Hello, Peyton.” Her greeting cooled.
“Hi, Ginny.” The professor sounded amused.
“Is she the reason you haven’t called me?” Ginny jerked her head toward Peyton.
“The restraining order is the reason I haven’t called you.” Darius had known Ginny since junior high school. Three years ago, he’d filed a restraining order against her.
Ginny snorted. “That’s in the past, Darius.”
“It’s a past I’d rather not repeat. Good night, Ginny.” Darius allowed Peyton to climb the ornate metal staircase ahead of him.
Peyton led him to her apartment. “Why did Ginny file a restraining order against you?”
“She didn’t. I filed one against her.”
Peyton’s wide caramel eyes met his as she closed and locked her door. “What happened?”
“Our relationship ended badly.”
Ginny had agreed to a casual relationship with Darius. Then she’d changed her mind.
“That sounds like an understatement.” Peyton leaned against her door and crossed her arms. “Who ended it?”
“I did.” Darius rubbed his eyes with his fingers. “Ginny responded by keying the word ‘jackass’ on the hood of my car and spray-painting it on the front door of my apartment. She also sent a computer virus to my laptop.”
Peyton gaped. “How do you know it was her?”
“She told me. Quincy convinced me to file the restraining order.” He shrugged off his discomfort. “Could we change the subject?”
“Of course. Let’s talk about the fundraiser.” Peyton held out her hand. “May I take your coat?”
Darius hesitated. “That wouldn’t be a good idea, Professor.” He watched a blush bloom across her cheeks.
Peyton dropped her arm to her side. “Oh, I didn’t—”
He changed the subject for both their sakes. “I don’t know anything about organizing a fundraiser.”
“I do.”
“Then why do you need me?”
“I don’t know Trinity Falls.” Peyton straightened from the door. Her confidence had returned. “Who should I recruit to help with the committee? What type of event would interest the town? When and where should we have it? You could help me with those decisions.”