Death on a Deadline

probably not up to going out tonight, I was wondering if you might want some company.”
    “That would be nice,” I said, suddenly shy.
    A smile spread across his face. “Do you mind if I come over a little early and make us some supper?”
    Did I mind? What could be more decadent than reclining on the couch while a man cooked the meal? “Perfect.”
    “Okay, then, I’ll see you about five.” He leaned toward me and I held my breath. I kept my eyes open, though, in case he was just brushing a speck of lunch off my face. At least they’d taken the little heart rate thingy off my finger. Otherwise I was sure the nurses would be rushing in to see why my pulse had gone off the chart.
    In my limited experience, hugs over hospital bedrails are not usually life-changing. But as I returned Alex’s gentle embrace and breathed in the familiar scent of his soap, I felt so blessed with second chances. A second chance to live after last night. And after all these years, a second chance to love.
    “I’m glad you’re okay,” he whispered in my ear, then released me.
    I shivered.
    “Are you cold?”
    “No, um—” How embarrassing.
    His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Good.” He leaned in and brushed his lips to mine. “See you tonight.”
    I waved good-bye as he walked out the door.
    When Carly came in a few minutes later, I was still smiling.

Sixteen

    Even another run-in with the chief of police couldn’t ruin my mood. At least John hadn’t accused me of forcing myself off the road. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure that beneath his gruff questioning was concern for me. A concern my family shared. Carly took me home with strict orders from our parents not to leave me until Alex got there. She was going to come back when he left. Although I don’t know what they thought she’d do if someone came after me again.
    I pushed End on my cell phone. “I still can’t get Brendan to answer. I left him another message to call me.”
    Carly came out of my closet with a red T-shirt in her hand. “Here, try this one. If he knows who killed Hank, wonder why he doesn’t go to John?”
    “I don’t know.” I’d settled on jeans but finding the perfect top was proving a challenge. It was hard to find something that coordinated perfectly with the bandage on my forehead.
    As I tried on the shirt, Carly plopped down on the bed. “Does this remind you of when I used to get ready for dates with Travis? You’d watch me, ever ready to give your opinion.”
    “Yes, and even as a thirteen-year-old I had no sense of style.”
    “You didn’t need a sense of style. Still don’t. Anything looks good on you.”
    “Yeah, right.” I turned from the mirror to look at her. “Did I tell you I took a coffee quiz the other day online?”
    “A coffee quiz?” Carly looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
    “Yeah, to tell you what kind of coffee you are.” I smoothed down my red T-shirt over my jeans. “No big surprise I turned out to be a plain old cup of joe.”
    Carly nodded. “Well, you’re in luck. Think about it. Most men prefer a plain old cup of joe.”
    “Uh-oh.” I met her eyes in the mirror.
    “Uh-oh?” She pushed off the bed and walked over to stand beside me.
    I grinned at her reflection. “I took it for you, too. You’re a cappuccino.”
    “Then I’ll have to find a special man, won’t I?” She blushed and ran her hand through her short curls.
    “ Carly Elizabeth. What happened to my man-hater sister?”
    “I never hated men.” She picked up a denim vest from the pile of discarded outfits draped across my chair. “I couldn’t trust them. I’m still not sure I can. Put this on.”
    “But my shirt isn’t tucked in.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Just put it on.”
    I slipped into it and turned back to the mirror. The red T-shirt was three inches longer than the open vest. Even though I’d have never considered wearing it that way, it worked. “Perfect. Casual, but different. How do you do that?”
    The doorbell rang and my gaze flew to the clock. “It’s five already. He’s right on time.”
    “You look beautiful.”
    We started down the hallway and I stopped. “I can’t believe I’m this nervous. This is Alex, the boy who gave me a frog for my eighth birthday. What am I worried about?”
    Carly studied my face. “That you might go out there and find a stranger in his place?”
    “That’s it. What if it’s all been a schoolgirl fantasy and we don’t click