by Jaclyn Hardy
Dee rolled up the paper and dropped it in the recycle bin as she continued on her run. Just a couple of blocks away from her apartment, something felt . . . different. She slowed to a stop and stretched, grabbing a small bottle of mace from her sock. Yes, someone was here somewhere. Time to get out of there.
She was short, but she was fast, and while she didn't want to let on that she knew they were there, she wanted to get home. By the time she hit the front step, she couldn't breathe from the adrenaline running through her body and the burning of her lungs. She got inside her apartment and sunk to the floor, breathing hard.
“Oh, hey, I wondered where you went. Couldn't sleep, huh?” Dani opened the fridge and pulled out some orange juice.
“Nope. I talked to Carlie. She was the victim on the plane. She's supposedly fine, but I won't believe it until I see it.” Dee picked at a loose thread on her sweats.
Dani set her glass down. “Are you okay?”
“I just said our best friend was the TB victim on a plane. Of course not.” Dee leaned her head against the door behind her.
“That's not what I meant. You look freaked out.”
“It's nothing.” Dee took a deep breath and stood. “Just . . . don't go outside by yourself any time soon.”
Dani lifted an eyebrow. “Any reason why?”
“Someone was following me.” Dee got her own glass and poured some juice. “I don't get it, though.”
“I told you Hot Guy was a creeper.” Dani ducked out of the way of the towel Dee snapped at her.
“It wasn't him. I knew something was wrong when I was running. I didn't feel the same thing at the store last night.” Dee yawned. “Okay, I'd better shower and get to campus. See you later tonight.”
Dani dropped to the couch and turned on the TV. She looked up at Dee. “What?”
“I thought you were leaving.”
“You said not to go out by myself. Hurry up or I'll be late for work.” Dani flipped through the channels, and stopped on a news channel.
Dee took a quick shower and pulled her hair up into a pony tail. Her lack of sleep was catching up to her. Just a few more hours. She fought back a yawn and grabbed her backpack from her room.
Dani turned off the TV and grabbed her keys. “How are you getting home after?”
“I'll just curl up on a bench and sleep until you're done.” Dee followed Dani out to her VW Bug.
“Wouldn't be the first time.” Dani unlocked the car and looked around. “Think whoever it is left yet?”
Dee shrugged. “I didn't feel anything, but that doesn't mean anything. Besides, it was early in the morning. It was probably just my imagination.”
Dani frowned and turned onto the road. “I don't think so. You were pretty freaked out.”
“It's just this whole mess with Carlie. She keeps getting herself into trouble, and I'm stuck here waiting until she comes back. If she comes back.”
“She's fine. We'll go see her in a few days and everything will be fine.” Dani patted Dee's arm. “Now, relax before you get wrinkles. You have a date tonight, remember?”
Dee smiled. “Yes, I do.”
She would see Ben's gorgeous eyes and that smile again tonight. Giving him her number had been a split-second decision, but there was something about him . . .
“I have lunch around noon. If you're done with your final by then, I can run you home so you can get an actual nap.” Dani pulled up in front of the testing center.
“I'd better be done by noon. Thanks for the ride.” Dee climbed out and waved as Dee drove away.
The testing center loomed over her, daring her to enter. Dee searched for her ID as she walked up the steps and into the building. She took the stairs up to the third floor and joined the line of students waiting to take their tests.
Dee thanked the lady standing at the desk handing out the tests and went into the testing area to find a place to sit. Time to get this over with.
A large ninety-four stared up at Dee as she made her way out of the testing center. She'd done it and would never have to look at that textbook again. She checked her watch. There was another half an hour before Dani would be done, and the warm sun invited her to relax and enjoy the weather.
She sent a quick text letting Dani know she'd walk home, then crossed the street. The spring breeze felt good on her skin as she allowed herself to finally relax. She was done. And that meant a whole spring and summer for her to do whatever she wanted until school started again in the fall. The thought of staying there to finish up was tempting, but so was southern California and the beach. Maybe she could convince Dani to drive down there with her.
Buzzing came from her backpack. Dee stopped at a bench and pulled out her phone. “Carlie? Did you escape?”
“Yes, thankfully. Think you can make it to New York this weekend?”
“I wouldn't miss it. Send me the details and I'll be there.” Dee waved at a classmate as she continued down the sidewalk. “How are things there? Did you get the items where they needed to go?”
“Yep. The museum is itching to reopen the display. I had to pay them a tip to get them to wait until after your final.”
Dee laughed. “That's nice of you. I just finished it.”
“Wait, you're already done?” Muffled voices spoke and Dee waited for Carlie to come back on. This was a regular occurrence ever since Carlie and Braden had gotten married. “This is seriously Wednesday already?”
“That's what happens when you run off on treasure hunts.” Dee waited for the light to turn red, then crossed the street. “Hey, what happened with that Frank guy? Did you ever catch him?”
More muffled voiced. “We can't say much about it, but yes, he was caught.”
“Good.” Dee slowed down as she got to her apartment. Things seemed fine, but she couldn't help wondering if they'd tried to get in. It wouldn't have been the first time. “And no one thinks that you and I are roommates anymore, right?”
“What's going on?”
“Nothing. Maybe.” Dee wiggled the doorknob to her apartment and sighed in relief. Still locked.
More muffled sounds, then it was Braden's voice who spoke next. “Is everything okay?”
“I just thought someone was following me this morning, but I was probably imagining things. Hallucinating with my lack of sleep.” Dee unlocked the door. “You keep her out of trouble. Got it? I want to actually see her when I show up in New York.”
“I'll guard her with my life.” Braden's voice was completely serious, something Dee didn't hear often.
“Thanks. I'd love to chat, but my bed is calling me. Tell Carlie I said to stay out of trouble.” Dee hung up and dropped her backpack on the floor. After checking and double checking to make sure the apartment was locked, she dropped onto her bed and snuggled under the covers. This time sleep welcomed her.
Ben readjusted the collar on his shirt for the hundredth time. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been on a date and he had no idea what he should be wearing for his date that night. But the clock was ticking and he was supposed to be leaving any minute now to pick Deirdre up.
The flowers he'd picked up sat on the table. He'd debated getting chocolates but figured that was overkill. He gave up on the collar and brushed his teeth instead. His hair was its usual unruly self, but there wasn't much he could do about that.
Carlie and Braden were back at their rental apartment in New York City, his news article had been sent in just minutes before he started getting ready, and he was now ready for his date. Except that he wasn't. Nerves had him second guessing everything. It was time to leave or he would decide not to go through with it. And Deirdre was worth it.
He walked past his bike and climbed into his car. His guys had been over there throughout the day making sure it looked like a regular car and given it a new paint job. Apparently they thought he needed to go out as much as he had.
Deirdre's house was a few miles away, which shouldn't have taken long, but traffic was heavy. He tur
ned down a side road and used the GPS to find a different way there. He was a few minutes late, but there wasn't much he could do about it.
He picked up the flowers and checked himself in the mirror one more time before going up to her apartment. He made sure he had the right one, then knocked on the door. A moment later, a short blonde woman answered the door. Her eyes widened.
“Hey, I'm looking for Deirdre.” His voice shook, which made her smirk.
She moved out of the way so he could enter the apartment. “She's almost done getting ready. I'll let her know you're here. I'm Dani, by the way.”
Ben shook her hand. “I'm Ben. It's nice to meet you.”
Dani walked into a room and Ben could hear laughter. She poked her head out of the room. “She'll be right out. You can have a seat if you want.”
“Thanks.” Ben moved over to a couch and sat down, taking in the apartment. It looked like any other college apartment, but with homey touches. Pictures covered the walls, and the shelves by the TV were packed with CDs and movies. They loved their classics, along with some of the newer releases.
“Sorry, I'm late. I couldn't stop hitting the snooze button.” Deirdre stood in the doorway in a black dress, that made Ben's jaw drop.
“It—it's all good.” Ben stood and handed her the flowers. “I hope you like daffodils. They're my favorite, and I couldn't help getting them.”
Deirdre took them from him. “They're beautiful. And they happen to be my favorite flower as well.”
“Perfect.”
Dani rolled her eyes and took the flowers from Dee. “I'll take care of these. You two head off on your date.”
Deirdre took a wrap from off a coat hook and Ben helped put it around her shoulders. She turned to Dani. “Be back later. Don't get into any trouble.”
“I should say the same for you two.” Dani grinned as she filled a vase with water.
Ben opened the door and waited for Deirdre to go through before following after her. “Your roommate seems nice.”
“She's the best. We've roomed together since freshman. There were four of us all the way through, but the others have married and gone off to other adventures.” Deirdre climbed into his car.
Ben hurried around to the other side and climbed in as well. “How does Italian sound?”
“Sounds good to me.” Deirdre put on her seat belt.
Ben pulled out of the parking lot and headed for his favorite Italian restaurant. They'd barely make the reservations as long as traffic had calmed down in the few minutes he'd been at her apartment. “So how was your day?”
“Not bad. Aced my economics class and then slept for the rest of the day.”
“Good job on the test. Is that your major?” Ben stopped at a stoplight and looked over at her. He still couldn't believe she was sitting next to him. He'd thought she was beautiful before, but the dress and her makeup made her breathtaking.
She shook her head. “I'm almost done with my Anthropology major. I just had to finish the last general class. I put it off to the end.”
“Ah, I would too.” Ben laughed. “There's a reason I went into journalism instead of anything to do with economics or math.”
“Don't you need it for your pieces, though?”
“If I were working on those types of articles, sure. I know enough to get me through the articles about the arts or sports.” Ben was silent for a moment. “I guess I do more with economics than I thought I did.”
He pulled into the parking lot and stopped the car. “Here we are.”
Deirdre's eyes widened. “I've heard about this place. It's impossible to get into.”
“It isn't if you have the right connections.” Ben grinned and got out so he could open her door for her, but she'd already climbed out.
Soft music played in the background of the restaurant as they walked inside. A man stood at the desk and looked up when they walked in.
“Hello, sir. Can I get your name?”
“Ben Thompson.”
The man looked down the list before nodding and picking up two menus. “Right this way.”
They walked past several other tables before they stopped in front of a table. “Will this do?”
His usual table. Ben smiled. “It's perfect, thank you.”
He helped Deirdre into her seat, then pulled out his own chair. The waiter handed them their menus, then bowed and walked away.
“Wow, this is fancy.” Deirdre picked up her menu. “Do you have any suggestions?”
“The carbonara is my favorite. And I highly recommend their bread.” Ben set his menu down. He had the thing memorized anyway.
“Sounds perfect. How are their Italian sodas?” Deirdre folded her menu and set it on the table. The green in her eyes was accented by the green of her eye shadow, pulling Ben into their depths.
Ben cleared his throat. “Uh . . . I actually don't know. I usually just get a Coke.”
“You really are a man after my own heart. I'll have the same thing.” She smiled up at the waiter as he came by.
The waiter pulled out his notebook. “Have you decided what you're going to order?”
“We'll both have the carbonara and some of your garlic bread. Oh, and two Cokes, please.”
“Oh, and could I get a squeeze of lemon in mine?” Deirdre batted her eyelashes.
Ben wondered if she had any idea what effect she had on the guys around her. The waiter seemed as smitten as Ben was.
“Of course. I'll have those right out to you.” He took the menus and turned to leave.
“A squeeze of lemon?” Ben raised an eyebrow.
Deirdre shrugged. “It just gives it that extra kick.”
“Nice.” He folded his arms on the table. “So how much school do you have left?”
“Not much. I'm thinking of doubling up next semester so I can get done faster.” Deirdre took a slice of bread from the tray the waiter brought. She took a bite and closed her eyes. “Oh man. You weren't kidding.”
Ben laughed. “I told you it was good.”
She finished chewing and pulled another piece off. “What about you? How long have you worked for the paper?”
Ben thought back. “Let's see. It'll be three years this June. I started as a junior in college and have moved up a few times since.”
“That's amazing. I'd love to write, but I can barely survive my research papers.”
“I've written since I was five. I just wouldn't let anyone read what I wrote until college.” Ben laughed. “But really, I find it easier than the research papers I wrote in college. I still have to check facts and make sure everything is accurate, but all of this is real life. It's happening right now, and I get to make sure the world knows about it. I love it.”
Deidre nodded. “I can see that. I can't wait to get out of school so I can actually apply what I've learned.”
Ben's phone buzzed, but he ignored it. Thoughts of Carlie being in trouble crossed his mind, but he was on a date and he didn't want Deirdre knowing of that part of his life.
“Aren't you going to get that?” Deirdre asked.
“I . . . it's probably work. I can call them later tonight.” Ben cringed when the phone went off again.
Deirdre leaned forward. “Look, you just told me how much you want to change the world with your stories. What if there's a breaking news story? You don't want to miss it do you?”
“Good point. I'll be back.” Ben grabbed his phone and hurried out into the lobby. “What's up, Carlie?”
“You know that emerald that was sold at the auction last year?” Excitement was evident in her voice, and Ben knew he was in for another adventure before she even said the words.
“Yeah?”
“Braden just tracked it down. We think we can get to it.”
Ben sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You're not even out of trouble from your last trip. You really want to get into this?”
There was murmuring on the other end before she answered again. “We are out for the summer, whi
ch means no class. It's the perfect time. Besides, if we don't move quick, we'll lose our chance to grab it.”
“And the show?”
“We'll leave after that.”
Ben poked his head around the corner to see Deirdre checking her own cell phone. “Fine. Send me the details. I'm going back to my date.”
He knew it was a mistake before the words were completely out of his mouth. The squeal on the other side of the phone confirmed it.
“You're on a date? Finally. You're going to have to spill as soon as I get back.”
“Not if I can help it.” He hung up and turned toward the dining room when he got a text from his boss. His breath caught.
Deirdre looked up with a smile, but it dropped to a frown. “What's going on?”
Ben slid the phone across the table. “Recognize that park?”
She gasped. “That's right by my house.”
“That's what I thought. They're waiting for the guy to make his move right now.” A man had been seen over the last few days trying to lure women back to his house.
She picked up his phone and scanned the text. “I knew it. Something was off this morning.”
Ben frowned. “You felt him there?”
“I felt someone watching me. I didn't stick around to find out what was going on.”
“It's a good thing you didn't.” Ben picked up his fork and took a bite of his food before realizing that Deirdre was staring at him. “You want to go see if we can catch him?”
Deirdre hesitated. “If that's okay with you?”
“Are you kidding? I never pass up a good stakeout. Let's go.” He flagged down a waiter for two cartons. This wasn't exactly how he'd wanted his date to go, but if it meant her safety, he'd do whatever it took.
Deirdre took her food out of the bag and handed Ben his carton. “You just sit here until something happens?”
“Yep. He may not show, though. There are a few extra cars here than there usually are, and he may suspect something.” He opened his carton and took a bite of the carbonara. “Mmm. Just as good as if we were eating it at the restaurant.”
