In the spring, we picnicked. York would get jealous, when we didn’t invite him. And then be bored with the picnic, when we did. I missed those days so much it burned in my chest. Tiny ham and cheese sandwiches on Mom’s old patchwork quilts. Lavender lollipop sticks leaning in mason jars of blackberry lemonade. Hunter’s smiles and the softness of his voice as he would take the time to read to me.
Age meant nothing. Blood didn’t matter. Life was new worlds between pages and someone to share the magic with—to whisper with late at night, under the covers with only the moonlight as our witness.
He was my hero, my best friend.
“What are you thinking about?” Hunter studied my face, bringing me back to his hotel suite and out of nostalgic reminiscing.
I smiled. “I was thinking about when we used to read together as kids.”
“Those were good memories.”
I scanned his huge notebooks, bound in leather. Very expensive. High end paper.
“What’s this for?” I asked.
“It’s for notes.”
What notes do you write in there?
I checked out the room some more. Two large metal briefcases stood in the corner. I pointed over there. “What’s in those?”
“Guns.”
“Good.”
“I thought you hated guns,” he said.
“Not when I have a crazy person stalking me.”
He went over to the bar, took out two glasses, filled them with ice, and poured a brown liquor into them. “I figured you would need a drink.”
“I do.”
“York texted that your team will be over in less than twenty minutes.”
“Yes. It’s my team for makeup, clothing, and hairstyling.”
“You don’t need it.”
“But I look good with it.”
“You always do, no matter what.” He gave me an intense gaze. It was Hunter’s way. He looked through and inside, taking parts of me with his eyes.
I swallowed. “Again, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Good.” He left the bar, came my way, and handed the glass over to me. “Do you want to take a nap or something, before your team comes?”
“No way. I barely sleep as it is.”
“Not good.”
“I’ll work on it.”
Hunter’s gaze narrowed. “You will.”
Giving him a weak smile, I tipped back the glass and swallowed half of the hard liquid. When I finished, he appeared surprised I didn’t vomit it up. Granted, it burned my throat, but lately I’d been drinking more and building up a tolerance.
“I’m proud of you.”
Stunned, my words came out shaky. “Thank you.”
The smile that spread on his face was one I’d never seen before. It was spontaneous and unguarded. A tiny break in his armor. Soon, his lips curved deeper, making it more of an intimate smile, like a treasured old picture of a lover hidden in a gold locket stored far, far away.
Suddenly, I thought of the present I’d given him long ago. It must’ve been at least ten years since I’d bought it for him.
I leaned my head to the side. “Do you still have the locket I gave you? It’s okay if you don’t. It was so long ago that—”
“Of course, I do.” He pulled it out.
My heart warmed. A silly grin hit my face. I tried to stop myself but couldn’t.
His eyes narrowed in an utterly charming way. “I told you I wouldn’t lose it.”
“It looks shinier and a little bigger.”
“I had some modifications done.”
I grinned. “You would.”
“I had to make sure it stood the test of time.”
I laughed a little.
“Don’t laugh. I’m very serious about this locket.”
“I think it’s adorable that you’ve had it for all these years.”
“It’s the most special and important thing anyone has ever bought for me.”
Shock seized my chest. I didn’t know what to say.
“Zola,” he whispered.
I tensed, waiting desperately for him to say more. Why did he whisper? Why did he look so stressed? Was it the killer? Or had I brought up some hard feelings with the mention of the locket?
And more than anything, I wanted to reach out and touch those lips and ruffle that perfectly styled hair.
That burning intensity increased in his gaze as he studied me. We stood there in silence, watching the other with amused expressions on our faces. And then something sparked. At least, on my end. An immediate sexual tension rose. It always happened when we were near.
And I swore those blue eyes shifted from ice to fire as his gaze slid down my body, lingering on my legs. My pulse quickened. My nipples tightened and tingled. His gaze shifted to my mouth.
A few seconds later, he frowned and turned away.
Unsettled, I looked away too, unable to calm my erratically beating heart.
An odd quiet continued to fall on us.
After a few minutes, Hunter ended the silence. “What’s new, Zuzu?”
I shook my head at the nickname. “A lot.”
“Like?”
Should I even go there? The day has been pretty shitty already. And then…he looked at me…that way. Fuck. I want to know.
“Hmmm.” I finished my glass and headed over to the bar. “I missed you, for one.”