Page 50

Heat spreads higher across my cheeks, and I turn an air vent toward myself. “The car feels warm to me.”

Birdie reaches toward the dashboard and taps the temperature display with one finger. “It’s sixty-four degrees in here.”

I resist the urge to turn the air even colder. “You said you were hot when we left.”

“I was wearing a jacket, which I removed six miles ago.” She waits until I glance at her, and her green eyes narrow with delighted suspicion. “This is about Andrei.”

“I’m attracted to him,” I admit, letting the words escape with a frustrated breath. “I know that creates a serious inconvenience.”

“Inconvenient is wanting coffee after the café closes. This is being attracted to a possible criminal who owns several thousand acres, carries secrets like normal people carry wallets, and can order a security detail without looking up from dinner.” Birdie pauses, then adds, “He’s also unfairly handsome, which makes the whole situation worse.”

I give her a pointed look, then return my attention to the road. “Thank you for understanding.”

“I understand your eyes.” She pulls the pins from her hair and gathers the auburn waves over one shoulder. “They followed him around that pavilion as if he had tied a string to them.”

I lift one shoulder, unable to hide the small smile pulling at my mouth. “His eyes followed me too.”

The answer comes out more pleased than I mean it to, and Birdie groans as she drops her head against the seat. “That isn’t evidence in his favor, Cass.”

“I didn’t say it was.” My thumb moves back and forth over the steering wheel. “He showed us his calls to Connor and explained the loans instead of having Drew remove us.”

Birdie turns her head to look at me again. “He also admitted sending a man into Connor’s apartment.”

My smile fades. “I certainly haven’t forgotten that.”

“You sound as if part of you wants to.” Birdie’s voice loses its teasing edge. “I saw the way you looked when you were with him. You were angry, but you were rattled too. What happened before Drew brought me into the office?”

I tell her the truth, beginning with Drew finding me beside the wastebasket and ending with Andrei surrounding me against the wall. I leave out how badly I wanted him to kiss me because Birdie already has enough reason to question my judgment.

Her fingers close around the edge of her seat. “Did he frighten you in there?”

I take a slow breath before answering. “Yes, but not because I thought he planned to hurt me. He wanted the truth, and I kept lying to him.”

Birdie’s mouth tightens. “He could have done that from across the room.”

“I already know he could have.” I adjust my grip on the steering wheel and keep my eyes fixed on the road.

“Do you want me to dislike him for you?” Birdie asks. “I can do that until Connor comes home, then reevaluate his muscles under safer conditions.”

A laugh slips out before I can stop it, easing a tight place in my chest. “I want you to keep reminding me that we don’t know enough about him.”

Birdie settles back against her seat and gives me a knowing look. “That I can do. Being attracted to him doesn’t mean you trust him. It only means your judgment and your hormones are having separate meetings.”

The sedan turns away one block before the bookstore, where the late hour has emptied the sidewalks. The Book Corner waits beneath its green awning. Connor should be inside, explaining why every choice I made was statistically foolish.

I park in the alley, and Birdie follows me toward the rear door while I search through my purse for the keys. The lock turns easily, and Murphy appears from between the shelves before I have fully opened the door. He gives one sharp complaint, then patrols the nearest aisles as if our absence has left him responsible for the entire store.

Warm air smelling of paper and old wood meets us inside. By the time Birdie closes the door, Murphy has completed his inspection. He jumps onto the counter and fixes me with an accusatory stare before glancing at his empty dish.

“Yes, I know we’re late,” I tell him as I fill his dish. “You’ve suffered terribly.”

Birdie slips off her shoes and carries them by the straps. “You should stay at my house tonight.”

“Andrei’s man watched us reach the door.”

“That sentence is not as reassuring as you think.” She looks toward the dark staircase leading to my apartment. “I don’t like the idea of you sleeping here alone.”

“You worry about me too much.” I pick up my overnight bag and Connor’s planner. “Go sleep in your own bed. We have plans tomorrow, and you’ll need enough patience for both of us.”