“Even if you had, our approach would’ve remained as it was.”
“Do you think I’m in danger, Edge?”
He scrubbed his face with his hand.
“You aren’t answering.”
“Right. My answer for now is that I’m not certain. I intend to do some investigating on my own to determine whether or not I believe Mr. Lynch poses a threat.”
“Do you really think I should tell Tee-Tee about the apprenticeship?”
He looked at me and smiled. “You know the answer.”
“So you think I should?”
“For now, it’s an interview. I’ve no doubt you’ll be offered the position, but address that with her once you have.”
“Susan is at the courthouse.”
He smiled again. “I remember. I was thinking you might want to pick her up tomorrow.”
“Thank you for not making fun of me over naming my car, and yes, tomorrow would be easier. I’m sure Tee-Tee can give me a ride.”
“I’ll take you to get Susan.”
“Edge…”
He reached over and took my hand. “Until we’re certain that there’s no connection between the threat against you and your former public defender, please let me continue to ensure your safety.”
“Thank you,” I murmured as his thumb continued to stroke the back of my hand.
It was mid-afternoon before I had a chance to take a break. One of the other cooks had taken a sick day, so Tee-Tee and I were busier than normal. The interview I’d yet to schedule was on my mind constantly. Every time I tried to bring it up, either she or I were interrupted.
“Mija, where is your mind?” she asked when I went into the storeroom and came back without the one thing she’d asked me to fetch.
“I’m sorry, Tía.”
“Come and sit. Tell me what happened yesterday.”
“We don’t have time, dinner is—”
She sighed and folded her arms. “The way things are going with you, dinner won’t be ready until tomorrow anyway. Now, ¡siéntate!”
I pulled a chair up next to her desk and told her everything from my attorney thinking Edge wasn’t coming, to seeing my public defender, and finally, to seeing Steel at the restaurant in Austin. The one thing I didn’t tell her about was the conversation I’d had with their pastry chef.
She rested her hand on mine. “Something is troubling you. I can feel it. Is it the lawyer?”
I shrugged. “Partially. And Edge. He’s so good to me, Tía. I feel like such a bitch for leaving in the first place, but now that I have, I know it’s the right thing for me. I can’t just live with him, because the sex is off the charts. Ya know?”
As soon as I said the words, I realized what words I’d said. “I’m sorry, Tía. That was inappropriate.”
She sat back in her chair. “Do you think I don’t have sex?”
“Uh…no…I…um…”
“I…um,” she mimicked. “You aren’t the only one who had a hot date last night.”
I raised my eyebrows.