Page 117 of Graves

I smile because I’m genuinely happy to see him. Judging by his face, the feeling isn’t mutual. It looks like all the blood just drained from his face.

“I was on my way home and saw you. Thought some fresh air might do me good.”

I stand next to the white SUV and see a brown-haired woman with shoulder-length hair in the passenger seat and a blond guy in a dark blue jacket behind the wheel. They both seem to be around thirty.

“Hi!” I say, giving a casual salute.

The guy greets me back easily while the woman realizes who I am and her mouth falls open.

“Fuck,” she barely manages.

“Aran,” Koh says, finally breaking the awkward silence. “These are Kathy and Luke. Guys, this is Aran Graves.”

Luke?

The Luke?

I raise my eyebrows, searching for confirmation from Koh, but he just smiles awkwardly and acts like everything is normal.

Normal that he’s standing on the street talking to his ex—the guy who manipulated and controlled him.

“Luke,” I say, less surprised than I meant to sound.

Clearly startled that I know who he is, Luke forces a smile. “And you two… know each other from…?”

“We’re roommates,” I answer before Koh can come up with a lie.

“Roommates? Koh!” Kathy exclaims. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

I notice the car is full of boxes and nod toward the ones on the back seat. “Someone moving?”

“I just moved,” Kathy answers awkwardly. “Right around the corner. Luke helped me a lot.”

My gaze shifts back to Luke, who’s watching me like a hawk while giving Kathy a distracted smile.

“Okay,” he says, a bit stiff. “We should get going. Otherwise, I’ll hit traffic.”

“Of course,” Kathy agrees and waves. “Nice seeing you again, Koh! Maybe we can grab a drink sometime.”

“Yeah. That would be nice.”

Koh sounds tense and visibly relieved when Luke starts the engine. They say goodbye, and Koh reins the dogs back from the street. I give a quick wave and watch the car drive off.

“That was your ex, right?” I ask bluntly.

“Please…” Koh sighs and brushes the damp hair from his forehead. “Can we not do this?”

“I’m just asking.”

“Yes, that was him,” he answers with difficulty and starts walking. After a few steps he stops and looks at me. “Why are you following me?”

“I’m walking with you.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“I have to bring the dogs back. That’ll take at least an hour.”