A narrow band of sunlight crawled across Georgia’s bed the next morning on its way toward Jimmy’s cheek. When it reached his eyes, he’d wake up. Meanwhile Georgia watched and listened. His slow, even breaths mingled with the sounds of a Saturday morning: the slam of a door, the catch of a car engine, the whoop from one of the kids across the street. A profound contentment spread through her. She was where she was supposed to be. She pulled the sheet up to cover her body; the morning chill was taking its toll. The rustling couldn’t have been much more than a whisper, but when she looked back at Jimmy, his eyes were open.
“Good morning.” He smiled and reached for her. She let herself be folded into his arms. He tightened his hold. She let out a breath. His hands moved up and down her back, lightly stroking her skin. She closed her eyes and concentrated on every sensation.
Over coffee and croissants at the coffee shop in Evanston, Georgia debated whether to tell him about Boris, the farm, and her plans. If she did, he’d go all cop on her again. He’d hook up with the Boone County Sheriff, the Harvard police, maybe bring in his own men. They’d take over. She couldn’t chance it. Then again, Jimmy would find out soon enough when the cops announced they had Nyquist, Coe, and Lotwin. He would be pissed she hadn’t trusted him enough to confide in—no—“communicate” with him.
She was between a rock and a hard place. If she told him, her part in the operation would be over; if she didn’t and he found out, their relationship would be over. She winced. Either way, she was aware that this one was on her. She was still keeping secrets, precisely what she’d just promised not to do.
Jimmy bit into his croissant. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve lost your best friend.”
She brushed her fingers across his cheek. “I want you to know something.”
“What’s that?”
“I never thought I could feel this way about a man. Thank you.”
He finished chewing. “Shouldn’t that be cause for celebration?”
She tried to smile brightly. “I hope so.”
“Assuming I feel the same way.”
She felt a rush of heat on her face. “I didn’t say it to trap you. Or make you say something you don’t want to.”
His eyes crinkled up at the corners, and he flashed her a grin. “Don’t you think I know that? You’re the least devious, Machiavellian person I know.”
She kept her mouth shut.
He glanced at his watch. “I need to get going. I’m working today.”
She nodded.
He stood up, leaned over, kissed her.
“We’ll continue this conversation tonight. You want to drive up?”