Bait. Samantha Keith

haven’t been in a while.”

      Jenny closed her hand around Riley’s bicep and gently squeezed. “I’m sure they understand. And it’s probably hard on them to visit you at Hanna’s place. I can’t imagine how they must feel seeing all of Hanna’s things.”

      Riley’s lips threatened to tremble but she clamped them into a firm line. It was a struggle every day, seeing Hanna’s clothes hanging in the closet, her shoes at the door…even her favorite air freshener still hung in the air.

      Jenny propped her hand on her hip. “I’m sure the police have already done a thorough look through her things, but I wonder if Hanna left any clues…maybe an email or threat from a stalker?” Jenny kept her voice low and the patrons paid them no mind, but still, the air in Riley’s lungs lay trapped. She hadn’t told anyone about the journal.

      Riley sucked in a breath and dropped her voice. “I found her journal the other day. I still have so much left of it to read, but I’m hoping something will jump out at me.” She hadn’t wanted to take the journal out of the house, somehow it felt wrong and invasive doing so. She’d gotten to read several entries already, but there was still a lot left to dissect.

      “If anyone will find something useful, it’ll be you.” Jenny winked at her. “I need to drop Lucas off at his soccer game. I’ll be back in a half hour or so. Will you be okay?” Her blue eyes filled with concern for the hundredth time today. It was Riley’s first shift since the break-in, and even though she’d been staying with Jenny for the last three nights, she still hovered over Riley like a concerned mother hen. Riley forced a smile, but the corners of her mouth wanted to crack. She took a quick survey of the room. Tables were beginning to clear and so far, everyone still sitting had received their food.

      “No problem, I’m fine.”

      The bell sounded above the entrance door. Jenny cocked her head around Riley’s shoulder. “Morning, Ethan,” Jenny called as she made her way to the front. Riley’s thundering blood drowned out their friendly exchange. She gulped. Ethan strode down the aisle, a snug light blue T-shirt outlined the muscles in his shoulders and biceps. Lightweight gray shorts tapered his waist.

      Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. He was easily a foot taller than she, even from the short distance between them she was dwarfed by him. Ethan pulled his dark aviator shades off and tucked them in the neck of his shirt. He didn’t smile at her like he normally did. His lips stayed tense, his jaw hard as he sat at the front counter. Her lungs tightened in her chest.

      She sucked her breath in as she rounded the long counter. Ethan’s elbows rested on the countertop, waiting. She picked up a clean mug, filled it, and slid it under his nose.

      “Thank you.” His eyes moved over her before landing on her face. “How are you?” His gaze focused on hers, staring through her soul, and reading her mind like an open book.

      She dug her fingers into the stainless steel carafe. Her eyes scanned around the restaurant, hoping someone would request her assistance. No one did. She met his gaze. “I’m great, thanks.” She cleared her throat. “Look, I don’t have time to chat, Jenny had to run out. Do you need anything else?” She kept her voice low.

      Ethan’s blue eyes flickered. Her breath caught in her throat. His eyes were too sharp, too knowing. When Ethan came around, she wasn’t herself. Something about him set her off. It was that look of his, that calculative, scrutinizing way about him that made her nerves sizzle. He was a distraction…one she couldn’t afford. Even if he had been her saving grace the other night. More than anything, that was reason enough for her to stay away.

      Slowly, he nodded. His face was freshly shaven, yet the dark hair showed beneath his skin. It matched the thick brown hair on his head. He picked up the small carafe of creamer and fixed his coffee. “I’ll tell you what. You give me five minutes of your time and I won’t come here anymore on the days you’re working.”

      She crossed her arms over her chest. Well darn it. She hadn’t meant for him to need to avoid the diner to please her. But she couldn’t think when he was around. A little less Ethan might do her some good. And Hanna…

      “Do we have a deal?”

      Curiosity piqued her interest. As much as she disliked his confident demeanor that bordered on cockiness, something pulled her to him. “And if I say no?”

      He smiled then. The slow, lazy smirk made her stomach twist. “I think you want to say yes.”

      She pursed her lips. “You’re not very good at reading people, are you?”

      “Actually, I’m an expert.”

      Her eyebrows rose. He leaned closer, and his warm, heady aftershave surrounded her. “Please?” His tone was soft and low, the gentle timber of his voice met her on a vibrational level.

      She exhaled sharply. “Fine. Five minutes. Meet me outside in an hour. That’s when I’ll be on break.”

      His eyes sparkled with satisfaction. She started away and then stopped. “Is that all you need?”

      He sipped his coffee. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll see you in an hour.” He winked and flashed a half-smile, giving her a glimpse of his bright, white teeth. She combed a few loose strands that had fallen from her ponytail. What the hell did he want to talk to her about? They’d hashed everything out the other night. She’d bitten his head off after the bar and maybe, just maybe, she’d been a little hasty.

      But he’d been pushy and egotistical. Thankfully, the lunch rush started a few minutes later and she didn’t have time to worry about Ethan. By the time she got the chance to look up, he was gone.

      Jenny hustled in as Riley cleared some dishes from the table nearest the door. “Sorry,” she mouthed as she slipped past her to get her apron from the back. They carried meals out quickly and before long the lunch rush died down. Riley met Jenny in the back room and glanced at the clock over Josh, the cook’s, head. What were the chances Ethan had given up and gone home? “Ethan was outside when I came in. Did he stay long?”

      Shit. Riley grimaced. “No, just came in for coffee. I’m going to take my break now.” She pulled her apron over her head and hung it on the hook, then snagged her purse. Jenny was right behind her.

      “Wait a minute. Is he waiting for you?”

      Riley tightened her hold on her purse. She’d avoided going into great detail about her encounter with Ethan the other night. As much as she loved Jenny, she was observant and would press her. If Jenny found out what she was up to, she’d never hear the end of it. She turned to face her. “It’s a long story, okay?”

      She gasped. “Oh my god.” Her hand covered her mouth. “Oh my god,” she hissed again, more dramatically. “You lucky little brat I knew you two had a thing for each other.” Then, in a whisper, “Did something happen after he was at your house the other night?”

      Riley dropped her head back to stare at the ceiling. She brought her eyes back down to her friend. “No. He just wants to see me for a minute. He probably wants to talk about the break-in. I’ll tell you more after work.”

      She turned on her heel and made her way through the restaurant. She pushed open the door and walked into the wall of heat. She plucked her black T-shirt away from her chest. Sweat had already collected beneath the material from the busy lunch hour, but now with the scorching sun on her it stuck to her like glue. Ethan waited, his hands shoved in his pockets, his eyes on the dirt beneath his feet. He looked cool and comfortable despite the raging temperatures. Why couldn’t he look like a bag of shit? That would make this so much easier.

      Her fingers curled into the strap of her purse. She stopped in front of him. “Can we make this quick? It’s disgustingly hot out here.”

      “Why don’t we chat in my truck? I have the AC running and it’s nice and cool.” He gestured to the truck idling in the parking lot. Her body temperature rose a degree from his presence. He led her to his vehicle, and then opened the passenger door.

      She