Page 43 of Lost Truth
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The pizza was delivered a few minutes before Mina and El had arrived for dinner and the meeting, but Hayden wasn’t hungry after watching Mina’s video. The others seemed to share his feelings. In fact, the tangy scent of pepperoni filling the air turned his stomach. Or maybe it was seeing Cady broken again. He’d watched like a spectator with a quick touch here and there as she’d ridden a roller coaster of emotions since he’d found her breaking into Kai’s house. But figuring out these traffickers could seriously be the men who killed her father might be too much for her.
Could he remain hands off?
He bolted to his feet before he discovered the answer to his question was an emphatic no. “I’m gonna grab some pizza. Would you like some?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how you can eat after seeing such a horrible interview.”
“I don’t know that I can, but maybe it’ll keep my mind occupied, and I won’t be thinking about the women. Besides, we’ll be working late tonight, and we should eat something if we want to be effective.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She sighed. “Go ahead and bring a slice of sausage, and I’ll try to eat it.”
He charged across the room before he acted on the impulse to comfort her.
The table by the wall had been loaded with utensils, plates, and napkins, and bottled water rested in a tub of ice. Reece was doing something in the kitchen, and Abby was brewing coffee. The nutty scent took over the strong pepperoni smell. On the far end of the table, Reece’s famous two-layer chocolate cake waited on a glass serving plate. Usually, his mouth watered when he laid eyes on the fluffy chocolate frosting he knew would melt in his mouth and fire off all of his sweet taste buds, but not tonight.
“It’ll be hard to eat after that video, but I’m…” Abby looked up from the coffee maker. “Whoa, what’s up with you?”
“What do you mean?” He reached for a slice of sausage pizza dripping with cheese and managed to plate it without strands of gooeyness dangling behind.
“I get that you’re concerned for Kai, but your infamous intensity is even more intimidating than usual.”
He knew the look she meant, but he didn’t want to admit his feelings for Cady to anyone, so he didn’t answer. He took a plate to load three slices of pepperoni pizza for himself.
Abby clutched his arm. “You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?”
He glanced at his friend, striving to keep his tone even as he responded before she raised her voice, repeating the question loud enough for everyone else to hear. “You could be right.”
She tightened her grip. “Hah! Could be? Nah. You’re in. Hook, line, and sinker.”
Yeah, he was drowning, but what could he do about it?
She arched an eyebrow. “So you finally met someone who’s threatening the tight hold you have on life.”
He grabbed two bottles of water, relishing the coldness in his hands. “How do you always know what’s going on with us?”
“In this case, just looking at you is a dead giveaway. If that isn’t enough, we all know you’re Mr. Control Freak. Just add the fact that falling in love means you’re putting all your control in the other person’s hands, and I can figure it out.”
“Yeah, you nailed it, but I don’t know what I’m going to do about it.”
“Wish I could help. I really do.” She squeezed his arm. “Along with some serious talking to God, only you can figure that out.”
Thetalking to Godpart was the component he’d missed when it should’ve been the first thing he did, but as usual, he was trying to work his problem out himself. He’d had to fend for himself since his parents died. Or at least he thought depending on himself was the only option. So now, he believed he didn’t need anyone’s help. That sometimes meant God’s help either. To be honest, he often forgot to ask until he came to the end of his abilities. By then he’d exhausted himself in worry and struggling when he could’ve made his life easier simply by going to God on a more regular basis, and especially when a problem first arose.
He picked up Cady’s plate and carefully balanced everything. “Thanks. You’ve given me something to think about.”
“Hopefully more than think. Do.” She wrinkled her nose. “There might never be another woman who can break through your rigid control, so whatever you do, don’t let Cady get away.”
Abby was probably right. At least he’d never met a woman who tempted him to get involved in a long-term relationship. To that end, Cady was a miracle worker.
Back at the table, he placed the pizza and bottled water in front of her and took the next chair again. He didn’t speak, but attacked the first piece of pizza, which despite its oozing cheese and crispy pepperoni, still tasted like sawdust.
“Everyone have a seat, and let’s get started,” Nolan said from where he sat next to Mina at the far end of the table.
She wiped her mouth with a napkin and got up. “Does anyone have questions about the video?”
“No questions about that, but I do have questions about the crime scene,” Hayden said. “Who’ll be processing the forensics for the surf shop and cave?”
