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But what then? If Alex could figure out the truth simply by
watching her, then it was possible for someone else to figure it
out, too. And maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t be like Alex.
Behind her, she heard the door squeak open again. Alex stepped
onto the porch, joining her at the railing. He set the glass in front
of her.
“Did you figure it out yet?”
“Figure what out?”
“Whether you’re going to take off to parts unknown as soon as
you can?”
She turned to him, her face registering shock.
He held open his hands. “What else would you be thinking? But
just so you know, I’m curious only because I’m kind of hungry. I’d
hate for you to leave before we eat.”
It took her a moment to realize he was teasing, and though she
wouldn’t have believed it possible considering the last few
minutes, she found herself smiling in relief.
“We’ll have dinner,” she said.
“And tomorrow?”
Instead of answering, she reached for her wine. “I want to know
how you knew.”
“It wasn’t one thing,” he said. He mentioned a few of the things
he’d noticed before finally shaking his head. “Most people
wouldn’t have put it all together.”
She studied the depths of her glass. “But you did.”
“I couldn’t help it. It’s kind of ingrained.”