Page 48 of Detectives in Love

Xavier lets out a loud sigh. “I do. Just not through her.” He says the last word like it leaves a bad taste.

I watch him, confused. “Why not?”

“I don’t trust her,” he says with a shrug. “She’ll run straight to Willand.”

“She won’t,” I say, but Xavier clearly isn’t in the mood to listen—he turns and heads to the kitchen like that’s the end of the conversation.

I get up and follow. He drops into a chair at the table, his gaze dark, unreadable.

“Alright,” I say. “Forget Katie. How are you planning to get in, then?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Xavier mutters, shaking his head. “Forget about it.”

Okay. So now he doesn’t want to talk.

I watch him for a few seconds, trying to decide if it’s worth pushing. I decide it’s not, and head for the counter. The power’s back, I realize, so I start the coffee maker, toss some frozen pancakes into a pan, and set a few eggs to boil.

This whole time, I can feel Xavier watching me, as if he’s on the verge of saying something. I don’t push. Just give him space to brood.

When the pancakes are ready, I plate them, then take the eggs off the stove and run them under cold water. I glance up and catch Xavier looking again—this time, our eyes meet.

“Have you eaten anything?” I ask, pretending not to notice the mood. By now I’ve learned that’s the best way to get him out of it.

“No,” he says.

I drop a couple slices of bread into the toaster, fully aware the pancakes are just for me—Xavier can’t stand sweet breakfasts. Not enough protein for the muscle guy. From the fridge, I grab cream cheese, avocados, and salmon. It takes fifteen minutes to put together two proper plates, and the entire time Xavier just sits there, radiating quiet fury like I personally offended him.

When I set the plates and two mugs of coffee on the table, I sit down and shoot him a quick glance.

“So,” I say, “what’s the plan? We’ve got the Rishetor case—and whatever theory you’re still keeping to yourself—and then there’s the Bridge case we haven’t even touched. So I was thinking, if we go to Rishetor today—”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Xavier cuts in, stabbing his egg like it personally offended him.

“Okay,” I say, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “But didn’t you want—”

“I changed my mind.”

I nod, letting it drop. Fine—if he’s mad at me for some reason, I’ll let it go. Just this once. We went through enough shit yesterday.

I eat my pancakes in silence, sip my coffee. A few long minutes pass.

“What about the Bridge case?” I ask eventually.

“I’m not in the mood,” Xavier says, quieter now—and I’m honestly surprised he admits it.

“Got it,” I say, not quite able to keep the sting out of my voice. “Then you stay in and chill. I’ve got some errands anyway, so I’ll leave you to—”

“No.” Xavier sets his fork down and looks at me.

Our eyes meet.

“Why not?” I ask, keeping my voice even as I take another sip of coffee.

“Because I need you.” Xavier pauses, then adds quickly, “Here. I need you here.” I swear his cheeks go a little pink. He takes a sip of his coffee, clearly trying to end the conversation.

“You need me here for what?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“For…things.”