Page 59 of My Beautiful Sin

“I think you look a lot cuter than Brandy does in that thing,” I tell him. He’s wearing the slacks he wore yesterday and a now-rumpled white button down. The office attire combined with the apron makes for an absolutely adorable picture. “By the way, is she here?” I never heard her come back last night, but it’s possible I was asleep when she did.

Devlin shakes his head. “If she is, she hasn’t emerged yet. Not Brandy. Not Christopher.”

I make a noise in the back of my throat. “Interesting...” I close the photo app and check my messages but there’s nothing from her. “She might’ve emailed, figuring I didn’t need to be disturbed by the pinging of a text.”

“And that’s the reason she’s your best friend.”

I laugh, having thought the same thing many times myself. Sure enough, there’s an email saying that she’s staying over at Christopher’s and not to worry. And that she’ll give me full details when she gets back—but that that isn’t happening and I should get my mind out of the gutter. The final is followed by a huge smiley face emoji. “Apparently it’s just you and me,” I tell Devlin.

“I’m happy for her. They make a cute couple.”

“But not as cute as us?”

“Oh, definitely not.”

I scoot around the bar and hook my arm around his waist so that we can take a selfie. But I end up making him do the hard work since his arms are longer, and I want the apron in the image alongside me posing to kiss his cheek. He protests, but takes the photo, and when I look at it, I can’t help but grin. It’s a little crooked, but totally cute.

“Too bad we didn’t realize last night that she wasn’t going to be here,” Devlin says. “We missed out on living room sex. This morning we could have started on the kitchen counters, hanging from the light fixtures. You know. Taking full advantage of her absence.”

I smirk. “Shut up and finish making me breakfast.”

“It’s great to see you smile,” he says as he finishes the eggs and moves the bacon to a plate.

“Yesterday was hard. You made it easier. And even though it makes me sad, I’m actually looking forward to working on the article.”

He looks at me, his expression dubious.

“Seriously. It’ll be good to work through my emotions. I think—I hope—that even though Peter knew the risk, he was arrogant enough to believe that The Wolf wouldn’t take my mom from him. But either way I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’ll never know the truth.” I shrug. “And that I’m a little bit like him.”

He studies me, slowly shaking his head. “You would never put anyone in that position.”

“No, but I flirt with danger all the time.”

“Ellie...”

“I do.” I tilt my head and offer him a smile. “I flirt with you, don’t I?”

He grins. “You do indeed.” He moves our plates to the bar. “So what else did you learn yesterday?”

“Nothing concrete,” I say, “but I may have a lead you can help me with.” He follows me as I move out of the kitchen and settle onto a stool at the bar. “Do you know if Peter was dating someone back then?”

He pauses, clearly not expecting that question. “Well, he went out occasionally, if that’s what you mean. He was single and only in his forties. But I don’t think he was ever serious about anyone.”

“Do you remember anyone specifically?”

He shakes his head slowly, as if trying to remember. “Not really. He was pretty intent on spending his free time with you, actually. Why are you asking?”

I tell him about the blonde. “Ortega said she was young. Like, really young. Like, he didn’t know if she could even drink young. Did you ever see him with anyone like that? I’m thinking that if I can track her down, I might be able to find out more.”

He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t look like he’s thinking, either. Instead, he looks shocked.

“What is it? Do you have an idea? Do you know who I’m talking about?”

He shakes his head. “No, no, no. I’m just—it doesn’t seem like Peter to date someone that young.” He frowns. “That would have put his girlfriend at about my age. I never thought Peter was the type. Do you know how long it went on?”

I shake my head. Then frown when I look at him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Sorry. I guess like you, I’m realizing I never really knew Peter either.” He stabs at his eggs but doesn’t take a bite. “Listen, I need to take care of some things at work today. Are you sure you’re okay?”