Page 171 of A Matter of Time

“What would have been the point?”

He shrugged. “You’re probably right.”

I cleared my throat. “Listen, I’m freezing, so I’m gonna go back in. It was good to see you, and I really appreciate you finding me to tell me all this. I’ll be careful.”

“Good.”

I pressed my lips together tight and stepped around him, nervous for whatever reason.

“Who was that guy I saw talking to you in the booth?”

I turned around to look at him.

“Jory?”

“What guy?”

“Earlier. There was a guy… Who was he?”

“Oh…nobody.”

“Nobody? He was sittin’ awful close.”

I made a face. “Some guy lookin’ to get laid. I sent him on his way.” I wondered how long he had been watching me before he came over to talk.

“You’re not interested in gettin’ laid?”

“I’m not interested in a one-night stand,” I told him. “It ain’t me.”

“No?”

I grinned lazily. “It used to be me, I’ll give you that, but not anymore.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

“Were your holidays good?” I asked, walking backward, still facing him.

“They were. My folks are crazy about Maggie, and her family’s great.”

“Great,” I said lamely, pivoting around.

“Jory.”

I didn’t stop walking but looked at him over my shoulder.

“Take care.”

“Yessir, Detective Kage,” I murmured, opening the door, feeling the warm air envelop me as I went back inside the restaurant. I was so proud of myself for not breaking down, but I was exhausted from all the effort it took. Who knew pretending to be nonchalant could be so draining?

I insisted that Dylan and Chris stay and eat and drink. They could turn the evening into a date night. For me it was a bust, between Ray being a jerk and Sam having become a stranger. And even though it was freezing out, I decided to walk home to clear my head. I was surprised when my phone rang.

“What?” I asked irritably, reading the number on my display before I answered.

“I just got off the phone with Ray,” Nick began. “He accused me of making you turn him down to get back at him. I told him I didn’t have that kind of power over you.”

“And you don’t.”

“I know I don’t,” he volleyed quickly. “Like I said, that’s what I told him.”