Page 107 of His Reckoning

“Sometimes.”

He leans forward with interest. “I’d love to read one.”

Something about the way he says it makes me hesitate, not in a bad way.

Sawyer didn’t say it like that when he read my book. Sawyer choked on his drink and looked personally offended, which, in hindsight, was significantly more entertaining.

I finish my drink and glance at the clock on the wall.

It’s already past ten.

“Well,” I say, standing, “this was nice.”

Theo looks surprised. “So soon?”

“I have an early morning tomorrow.”

Although it’s a lie, it’s not a particularly harmful one.

Theo walks me out to the sidewalk a few minutes later. The night air is cool, the city still buzzing with energy.

“I had a great time,” he says.

“Me too.”

Another small lie, but again, harmless.

He hesitates like he might lean in for a kiss. My entire body immediately rejects the idea. Not because Theo is unpleasant, because he isn’t Sawyer, which is becoming a serious problem.

I step back slightly but then give him a quick hug. “Good night, Theo.”

He smiles politely. “Good night.”

Twenty minutes later, I step out of the elevator and walk down the hallway toward the apartment.

I expect the place to be dark and quiet with Sawyer maybe even asleep.

Instead, the door opens to a fully lit living room and Sawyer pacing back and forth across the floor like a man trying very hard not to lose his mind.

The second he sees me he stops moving entirely. I set my purse down slowly.

“You look normal,” I say.

Sawyer doesn’t answer immediately. He just watches me.

“Good date?” he asks finally, his voice controlled.

I shrug and kick off my shoes. “It was fine.”

He nods once. “Fine?”

“Painfully.”

Sawyer crosses his arms. “And you’re home early.”

“It’s eleven.”

“For a Friday night.”