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“Any hints?”

“Just this one.” He leans across the distance between us and kisses me. His lips are soft and teasing, then rough and firm. And with this kiss, I know.

I know exactly what he’s hiding from me.

Chapter 2

Amelia

“It’shisdad!”

Maddie and Connor both stare at me, dumbfounded. I can almost hear the sound of their confused blinking like they are cartoon characters. They are sitting on the couch across from me while I’m flanked on each side by my dogs, who paw lazily at the rip in my jeans.

“His secret is…his dad? The criminal?” Maddie asks slowly.

“Yes.” Why aren’t they keeping up? This is a no-brainer. “Caleb clearly wants me to meet him and is just begging me to find him and fix their shattered relationship.” He’s never said as much out loud but that’s what makes it asecret.He’s made progress proving he’s not like his dad, but I think he needs to confront his past before he’s ready to face the future. Why else hasn’t he proposed? We’ve been together for six months already.

Maddie and Connor are silent as they share a look. Connor turns his attention back to me. “I really don’t think he wants a relationship with his dad.”

Connor and Caleb have become good friends—no, wait, that’s not strong enough. They are the classic Sean and Gus bromance, dancing down the beach with tacos. Except they don’t dance, but the taco thing I’ve seen myself and it’s irritating.

“No offense, but I think I know my boyfriend better than you do.” I scoff, sliding a hand up and down Shawn’s smooth fur coat. I’ve seen how torn up Caleb gets talking about his dad and I don’t want him to suffer anymore. I want everything good and wonderful for him.

“Really?” Connor asks. “Then how do you not know that—”

Maddie smacks Connor and his mouth snaps shut. “We can’t tell her.”

I turn on Maddie slowly. “Wait? You know?”

That changes things. A good P.I. is resourceful. It’s not cheating, it’s simply gathering theories.

“No.” Maddie holds up her hand. “But we have our own idea as to what it might be.”

My chest deflates. They don’t know either. “I’m right,” I say. At least the dogs are still on my side. If only literally. Something squeaks in the house, and both Shawn and Gus leap from my side, abandoning me like the helpless nuisances they are.

“Fine.” Connor shrugs. “How are you going to find his dad?”

I grin, still living on my high from last night. I went home and researched for hours. And when none of that panned out, I called in a favor from Liam. He found me everything I needed to know.

Name: Thane Harris.

Age: fifty-five.

Current location: Las Vegas.

Allergies: human connection. I figured that one out myself.

“I already did.” I grin. “Who’s up for a road trip to Las Vegas?”

Maddie and Connor look at each other again. I wish they’d let me in on the secrets they are passing with their eyes. It’s rude to exclude people like this.

“You’re going to Vegas?” Connor finally speaks.

I frown at the two of them. I thought they’d be more excited for me. I finally found what I want to do with my life; why aren’t they supporting me? “Well, we couldallgo to Vegas if you would stop being weird and go with me.”

“You know we can’t. The volleyball team is headed to state next week, and I’ve got a huge trial coming up,” Connor says.

“What a bunch of party-poopers. Can you at least babysit my dogs?”