Page 70 of Little Bitter Truths
We stepped out of the car, and I grabbed her bag, the porch light clicking on as we made our way to the front door.The second I opened it, Luka came charging toward us from somewhere inside the house, his paws skidding across the hardwood floor when he reached the entryway and saw Coco.
The dogs circled each other for a moment, and then Mia crouched down and opened her arms to him.“Well, aren’t you sweet?”
Luka responded to the compliment by wagging his tail.
Giovanni came around the corner dressed in dark lounge pants and a charcoal-gray T-shirt.He looked at Mia, then at me, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern.
“Mia,” he said.“It’s good to see you again.”
She stood and pointed at him with the kind of exaggerated seriousness only a person who’d been drinking could manage.
“You,” she said.
Giovanni raised a brow.“Me?”
“Georgiana told me a story about the two of you tonight.She said you’re the man she’s been in love with since college, or maybe she said it was even before college.Sorry, I’ve had a few drinks, and the night is a bit of a blur.”
Giovanni seemed amused to hear he’d been the topic of conversation.
“I’ll explain later,” I said.
“I look forward to it,” he replied.
Mia tried to take a step forward, and she stumbled.Giovanni reached out, grabbing her so she wouldn’t fall.
“Again, I’m sorry,” she said.“I had wine, and then more wine, and then tequila, which I don’t even like, so I suppose that says a lot about my state of mind right now.”
“I’m sure you’re tired,” I said.“Let me show you to your room, and you can get settled.”
“I suppose it would be a good idea to go to bed before I say anything else I might regret.”
I led her down the hallway to the guest room, Luka and Coco trailing close behind like furry escorts.
I switched on the lamp beside the bed, setting her bag on a folded blanket at the end of it.The room was simple but warm, with cream-colored walls, floral bedding in earth tones, and an oversized window overlooking the backyard.
She moved a hand to her hip and looked around.“This is nice.”
“I’m glad you like it.You have an en suite bath, and there are towels in the cabinet under the sink.”
She nodded, taking it all in.
I walked to the door and paused, turning back.“Is there anything else you need?”
“I don’t think so.I’m exhausted.I’m going to try and get some sleep.Goodnight.”
I left the room, and when I checked on her a half hour later, she was already asleep, sprawled across the top of the bed over the covers with Coco at her side.I grabbed a blanket out of the closet and laid it over her, hoping the sleep would do her some good.
The second I stepped back into the hallway, my phone buzzed.
It was Whitlock.
Just wantedto give you a heads up.Mia’s mystery guy has been questioned and released.
The message was vague.Too vague for my liking.I decided I should speak to him before I made any assumptions.I dialed his number and walked toward the den, settling on the couch.
When he answered, I said, “What happened with Jeremy?”
Whitlock sighed.“Despite his questionable life choices of late and his decision to impersonate a fictional businessman, we don’t have any evidence that he’s involved in Wren’s murder.Not yet.”
