Page 42 of I'll Carry You
“Oh, um.” She laughed, suddenly acutely aware of her messy ponytail, hair net, and chef’s coat. “Watch it, buddy. You insult the cook, and you might live to regret it.”
“You know, you keep threatening that.” Jason’s eyes gleamed. Then he looked at the empty booth seat. “Where’s Colby?”
“At the counter waiting patiently for Travis to give him the playdough you all made.” She threw Colby a glance and smiled at the sight of his feet swinging. “And what can I say? I lean into stereotypes. They say writers kill off people they hate in their books, and people in food service take their revenge out on the food you eat. Just consider yourself lucky that I’m not a baker who likes to write.”
“I didn’t know you hated me.”
Jason’s arm still weighed against her shoulder, and the warmth of his body tempted her to lean in closer. Plus, he smelled likeOld Spiceand...mmm. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I’m more than happy to prove that I don’t.” She pulled back with a self-satisfied grin. “I gotta get back to work. Thanks for helping me out with Colby. I think I can handle him from here.”
Jason groaned softly. “You’re killing me, you know that?” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “What did that guy want, by the way?” He took a glance over his shoulder at the table Ned had scurried away to.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Says he’s a private investigator.” She motioned to the card he’d left on the table.
“Huh.” Jason ignored the card and reached for her hand. “What are you doing tonight?”
Everything about his touch made her want to delay going back to the kitchen. Her gaze darted to Colby. Travis had taken the playdough out and grabbed him some cookie cutters. Thank God for Travis.
“Colby and I are just hanging out at home. Why?”
“Can I take you out?” Gentle pressure from his fingertips shot sparks up her core. “I have something I want to run by you.”
“Uh...” His words were intriguing. And he was askingherout.
But Colby also hadn’t had a normal night at home for the last few days. Even if she was doing a shoddy job of it, she couldn’t deny Colby some stability for a date with Jason. She sighed. “I really can’t. Colby needs some time at home, I’m sorry. It can be a little hectic managing everything, so I like to make sure he gets the time he needs with me.”
His eyes flickered, something in his gaze unreadable. Then he nodded and squeezed her hand again. “What about tomorrow night?”
If she said no, would he ask for a different day? She didn’t want to take that risk, either. He could leave by then. And she had Travis’s offer on the table. “I’d have to find someone to watch Colby, but it should be okay. What time?”
“I can pick you up. My assistant is working on getting my car out of the impound lot. Where should I meet you?”
“I’ll text you my address.” This time, she really needed to go. Jason had a way of making her want to forget she had any responsibilities. She hurried back to the kitchen, her heart feeling remarkably light. One date. That would be enough, right?
ChapterFifteen
Jason waitedin the cabin's darkness, the hood of his sweatshirt over his head. The motherfucker was taking his time coming in through the door.
TJ had been happy to teach Jason how to pick the lock. He’d even reset the paperclip Ned had put in the doorjamb to tell if someone had been inside. Having TJ around in Brandywood had proven to be useful in more ways than one. They’d spent most of the day together, following Ned to see what he was up to.
And TJ had swept Jason’s cabin for surveillance equipment, which had been an unpleasant surprise.
The scraping of the key against the lock stopped, and Ned opened the door. The light flipped on, then he jumped, seeing Jason leaning against the wall of the front door with his arms crossed.
“What the hell, man?” Ned’s face reddened. He slammed the door behind him.
“You’re not the only one who can slip around locks.” Jason pulled a ziplock bag of electronic devices out from the pocket of his hoodie and tossed it at Ned’s feet. “I did a sweep of my cabin. Took plenty of photos to prove you’re trying to record me illegally, though. Which should be helpful.”
Ned lifted the bag, his face scrunching at the liquid inside the bag. “Is that water?”
“Water. Piss. Whatever I got out of my toilet.” Jason put his hands back into his front pockets. “I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing here in Brandywood, but it’s time for you to leave, Vickers.”
Ned dropped the bag of cameras with disgust on his face. He lifted his chin. “You know exactly what I’m doing here, so why don’t you cut the crap. And as soon as your dear old grandma comes back into town, we’ll sit and chat.”
His words were chilling. What else had he found out? Dan wasn’t the only person who remembered Kevin. If Ned asked enough people, he was bound to find someone who recognized a picture of Kevin. And if they knew about Kevin, they might know about Jen.
“You stay away from my grandmother, you hear? And my girlfriend.” Jason glared at him menacingly. “Or next time, I won’t just be breaking your toys.” TJ had been the one to suggest that Jason continue the girlfriend ruse for now. Ned probably wouldn’t immediately jump to the conclusion that Jen was his brother’s ex, especially since it made Jason look reckless.
Which he’d been.