Page 150 of Cautious Love

“No problem, I’ll follow you,” he says, and checks his watch before slipping his hands into his pockets.

“You don’t have to do that. Friends don’t need to follow each other home.”

“Well, friends who care about theirfriend’ssafety when there’s someone who could potentially hurt them do, especially when theirfriendwon’t listen and let theirfriendtake care of them.”

I bristle even though I have no right to be angry. But I’m trying so hard to do the right thing, and he’s not making this any easier.

“Plus, I can carry the still upstairs for you.”

I nibble my nail. “I don’t think I’m allowed to distill liquor in an apartment.”

“Keep it here then,” he says cooly, but it’s not nonchalant. The look on his face makes me think this was the goal the whole time.

I rub my nose to hide my smile. He’s sneakier than I gave him credit for. “Okay.”

The corner of his mouth twitches, and I know that made him happy. Unfortunately, for the time being, the still and that barrel are going to collect dust. I can’t be here.

“Thank you for the still. It means more than you know,” I rasp.

“No problem.”

We stand a foot apart, it’s a battle of wills. Who will break first?

Me.

I groan, leading the way to the laundry room.

“You should know by now if I say I’m going to do something. I do it.”

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and the heat of his chest radiates at my back. It wouldn’t take much to spin around and kiss him. Just a little taste. I’ve been thinking about our accidental kiss since he brought dinner to my apartment a few days ago.

“Yeah, I should know that,” I mutter getting my shoes on.

Ledger helps me into my jacket and helps me into the car.

As I drive away from the house, I keep glancing in my rearview mirror, and he’s there, watching me leave. He’s always there.

There’s a saying about how when you look for signs, they can be found in anything. I don’t know if it’s true, but I keep looking for hints that I’m doing the right thing, and all I see are the reasons it’s not.

Chapter 37

Ledger

It’searly,andthedog drags his paws as he follows me into the bullpen.

“Good morning, Dozey,” Daisy says, picking him up.

He licks her face as she hands me my cup of coffee.

“Thanks, Daisy,” I mumble.

She hums. “You seem tired, boss.”

I grunt and pull my computer up.

After getting a few things done on my long list, including reports for Kensington’s people, my phone rings.

Lawrence Beckett.