A Day in a Life

Chapter Twenty-One

Elijah

T HE NEXT DAY , I show up at Bayside Eatery shortly after it opens for the lunchtime rush. Sydni doesn’t notice me right away, but when she does, she does a double take and makes a beeline for my table.

She looks rested after a good night’s sleep. I doubt she’d let me give her a foot massage now. It was a temporary lapse of judgment caused by fatigue, that much was obvious. But the way she relaxed at my touch darn near killed me. She was practically purring like a kitten.

When her expression changed, I knew she was coming to her senses. I knew our moment was over before she did.

But the point is, we did have a moment. I know it, and so does she.

“You’re back,” Sydni says, slightly breathless.

“Sure am. Not much could keep my away.”

“Do you know how many restaurants there are in Key West?”

“As far as I’m concerned, just this one.” My eyes don’t leave hers.

“Oh.” Then she blushes. “I owe you an apology after last night. I don’t usually behave like that with a stranger.”

“Yeah, you shocked the heck out of me with your brazen behavior. I’m scandalized.” I wink, mainly because I’m not sure she’ll realize I’m joking.

“I’m not sure what came over me.”

Good thing I winked, even though it doesn’t seem to have helped. “Hey, your feet were hurting, and I helped you. End of story. And I’m not a stranger.”

“You’re right.” Then she pauses like she doesn’t know what to say. “What will you have?”

You, please. “I think I’ll take the sourdough sandwich again. I dreamed of it last night.”

“Good choice. It’s a bestseller.” She hesitates. “Uh…thank you for being such a gentleman last night. They’re hard to find—a dying breed. I…I felt safe with you.”

She’s gone in a flash to turn in my order. They’re busy today, and she’s swamped.

I had a hard time sleeping last night as I pondered my encounter with Sydni Greer—and the sourdough sandwich wasn’t in my dreams.

I’ve got to start calling her Saige in my thoughts, or I’m going to slip-up and accidentally call her Sydni.

That would be a huge Game Over.

My thoughts about Saige last night were complicated. I baited her a few times. Her reactions weren’t what I expected. When I flat out told her I was a PI investigating insurance fraud, her expression was as blank as an erased chalkboard. Few people can fake innocence when they’re guilty as sin.

However, when I told her about my ex-wife’s miscarriage, she couldn’t hide the emotion that overcame her. I thought she might burst into tears. I hated bringing back painful memories for her.

The thing that surprised me the most was the way she warmed up to me so quickly. At first, it was clear she wanted nothing to do with me. Her initial response was in keeping with her life experiences. As a general rule, women who have been through what she has don’t tend to jump into new relationships without extreme caution.

Then, when I massaged her feet, she practically melted into a puddle. She regretted it quickly, though.

She shocked me when she announced she was married and told me the truth about the state of her marriage. I feel like I learned two important things about her character last night. She’s truthful, and she has a conscience.

Those qualities don’t align with someone who has teamed up with her jerk of a husband to swindle an insurance company into giving them eight hundred grand.

As of right now, I don’t believe she’s involved at all. However, I need to spend more time with her to really figure her out. I still don’t understand exactly what happened that night when she went off the bridge.

My biggest problem, though, is that I could fall for this girl. Like marry her, have children with her, and promise her forever.

Which is downright stupid. I’ve known her for two seconds. She could possibly be a criminal. She could’ve made me the second she saw me, and now she’s playing the innocent act.

I don’t know what to think as of yet. But I’m sure as heck going to have fun finding out.

I hope I’m not disappointed. I want her to be what she seems to be, so much that I can taste the wedding cake she’ll squish against my mouth before she kisses it off my face.

I’m in trouble. Big trouble.

I received a text from Ry this morning. Ashcole hasn’t stepped foot in the state of Florida in the past seven years.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they haven’t met up somewhere else, a mutual meeting place.

I hope not, with every fiber of my being. I’m becoming biased. That’s a dangerous place for an investigator.

But as Syd…Saige walks toward me with my lunch, all rational thought leaves me.

I’m here until the bitter end. Let’s just hope there’s nothing bitter about the end of this case.