Page 22 of Holding On

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“There’s some sort of conflict of interest with one of the clients.”

He stares me, which is killing me, so I rush on. “I can’t really talk about it. But I can’t stay here, because I work, you know, for her, for the judge, and it could compromise things.”

I hold my breath, but Travis seems to buy it. “That’s a bummer.”

“I know. So do you know of any place around here that I could rent?

“I guess clinic housing is out too?”

It takes me a minute to follow him. “Oh, you mean the clinic!”

He nods.

“Well, yes, because Finn and Claire are seeing each other.”

“It’s going to be tough.” He strokes his upper lip with a finger, and I watch his lips purse slightly.

I want to kiss those lips and feel those hands on my body.

“Bryce gave up his place in Portland, but Mateus still has his. But that would be an hour commute with traffic, at least. Summer rentals get booked around here nine months in advance.”

“I know. Judge Pratchett told me it might be hard.”

He offers a quick smile and a flash of teeth. “Oh, she knows. It’s not hard. It’s impossible.”

Lindy walks by, this time without the broom. “How’s the coffee?”

“I think I feel more hair growing on my chest,” says Travis.

She laughs. “You guys have some breakfast? We’ve got breakfast burritos—”

Travis mouths, “Small.”

We order three, figuring we’ll split the last one. When Lindy walks away to make the order, he turns back to me. “There’s nothing here. There’s gonna be nothing along the coast.”

“I do actually have a backup place to stay. It’s just unconventional, and I was hoping for an apartment.”

Travis quarter-turns his mug. “Where?”

“It’s up in Rockland.”

He’s shaking his head. “Don’t room above a storefront—it’s too busy and too noisy. You’d hate it.”

“You forget, I’m from LA. It’s not and I wouldn’t.” I cup the mug in my hands.

“Well, what makes it unconventional?”

“It’s a houseboat. Audrey knows the detective who owns it because she works on cases with him sometimes. He’s gonna let me stay in it and . . .” I trail off because Travis looks surprised.

“Is it Jack Carlson?”

“Yeah, I think so. He’s got a houseboat and a newly rebuilt barge, and I’ll be staying there.”

His face is serious—like he wants to say something.

“What?”