Page 23 of Hard Evidence
“Where are you planning to sleep?”
“So the guy who owns the house I thought I was supposed to be moving into took pity on me and said I could use his guest room.”
“Jessalyn Morrow Packer—wait, are you going to drop the ‘Packer’ now?”
“Probably?”I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Jessalyn Morrow, have you lost your mind?You and your terrible judgment have moved into a complete stranger’s home?”
“‘Moved into’ is an exaggeration.I’ll only be here for one night, and I’ll send you the address in case he turns out to be a serial killer.”
“Does the bedroom door have a lock?”
“No, but I have Shiro with me.”
“Sweetie, if Shiro didn’t rip Ridge’s face off during the past three years, he isn’t going to save you now.Is there any furniture you can push against the door?”
“Maybe a dresser?It looks pretty heavy.”
“Okay, drag it into place.Then text me before you fall asleep and again when you wake up in the morning.”
“I will, I promise.”
“Good.”Saylor paused for a moment.“Jessie, I’m really proud of you for finally getting the hell out of there.”
Aww.My eyes began prickling.“I’m really proud of me too.”
I was contemplating the best way to sneak out to my car for a cup of dog food and a granola bar when a soft knock at the door startled me.If I weren’t on the second floor, I might have tried climbing out the window, but knowing my luck, I’d land awkwardly and break an ankle.And the dresser was either solid wood or secured to the wall because it wasn’t going anywhere, even with all the drawers empty.
“What kind of food do you like?”Justin called through the door.“I’m going to order takeout.”
“Oh, I’m fine.My budget doesn’t run to takeout.”
“I wasn’t asking you to pay for it.”
“Don’t worry about me; I have plenty of snacks in the car.”
“I’m ordering food for myself anyway.It’s been a long day, and I don’t feel like cooking.”
“I can cook if you want.I love cooking.”
Ugh.I smacked my own head because what the heck was I saying?I’d promised Saylor that I’d hide away until morning.
“I was supposed to visit the grocery store on Saturday.Then Sunday, then Monday, then Tuesday.Pickings are slim.”
I glanced around the bedroom again.This home was beautiful and obviously expensive—Justin’s wallet probably wouldn’t notice if he ordered every item on the menu.If I just grabbed a dish to eat in my room, that would be safe enough, right?
“In that case, thank you.I’ll eat anything.Literally anything.”
“That’s good to hear.”He sounded as if he was smiling.“Chinese?”
“Chinese is great,” I said, and my stomach grumbled just from the thought of kung pao chicken and egg fried rice.Ridge hadn’t been a fan of Chinese food.He said the Chinese were stealing American jobs, although I wasn’t sure how boycotting a local restaurant helped with that.
“Is that bathroom stocked?”Justin asked.“Towels, shower gel?”
He didn’t know what was in his own bathroom?
“Uh, I’m not sure.”
