Page 118 of Creeping Beautiful

I watch Donovan for a reaction. He meets my gaze and shrugs.

I grip Indie’s shoulders and push her back a little. “What was that for?”

“Just… you.” She glances at Donovan. “Both of you.” She looks back at me. “But I’ve hugged him already so it was your turn.”

Hugged him. Sure. “Is dinner ready?”

Donovan opens a cupboard, grabs four plates, and sets them down on the counter. “Just waiting on you. You wanna set the table, Indie?”

“My old job is still mine, I see.” But then she must count the plates because she lifts one of them up. “Are we expecting Adam?”

I say, “No,” just as Donovan says, “Maybe.”

“Which is it?”

I shake my head. “No. He texted me. He can’t make it.”

Indie makes a little pout face, something I have not seen her do in many years. “Well, that sucks.”

“I thought you wanted to kill him?”

“What? That’s crazy, McKay. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Donovan and I both glance at each other, eyebrows raised.

He breaks the silence first. “Go on, Indie. Set the table. We’ll bring out the food.”

“You guys just want to talk about me, don’t you?”

I ignore her and open the silverware drawer, grab enough for three people, and then close it with my hip and hand it all to Indie. “There you go.”

She smirks at me. “I can take a hint.” She leaves. I wait a second, then follow her to the front door and peek out to make sure she’s going to the pavilion.

Donovan is already behind me. “What did he say?”

“He said he’s not coming until she remembers what really happened that day.”

“How’s that gonna be helpful? We need him here when she remembers.”

“He knows that. He just doesn’t care.”

I turn to look at Donovan. He’s running his fingers through his dark hair. “Well, fuck. Now what?”

“I guess… I guess we lead her through it, Donovan. Have a session with her.”

“Hypnosis? Or just a regular one?”

I shrug. Because this isn’t my area. “Whatever you think is best.”

He lets out a long breath. And for a moment I get this sick feeling in my gut that he’s gonna refuse. That Donovan Couture has had just about enough of this little distraction called Indie, and he’s gonna wipe his hands and walk away.

I’m ready if he tries. I’m ready to block him. Talk sense into him.

But I don’t have to.

He nods. Sighs again. “OK. Then hypnosis. But we should eat first. Give me time to think about how to best handle this because it’s been a long time, McKay. I would never have called myself a PSYOPS expert, but it’s been a long time since I had to think about it.”

I am relieved and out of words so I say nothing. Just go back to the kitchen and start piling spaghetti into a large bowl while Donovan transfers marinara sauce and meatballs into another bowl.