Page 34 of Fatal Vision

“I will.” She squeezed Jaya’s hand. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Colton showed Jaya out and Shelby heard her mutter several threats at him, including one about rolling his eyes back a little farther in his head to find his brain, before she got in her van and pulled out.

Colton came back and served himself.

“How’s Connor?” Shelby asked, hoping to ease the tension Jaya had created. Connor had been Colton’s best friend since his earliest SEAL days. One of the few people who never got riled by Colton’s exacerbating personality. “I always thought he and Jaya would make a good pair.”

Colton look horrified and grabbed his chest, looking like her mother during an angina attack. “Oh, hell to the no. The Wicked Witch of Good Hope is not getting her claws in my friend. Connor is fine. Just spoke to him this morning and he sends his love.” He sat and grabbed a napkin. “He has a girlfriend, by the way. A slightly crazy one, but good crazy. She makes him incredibly happy.”

“That’s great. Who is she?”

“Just a lab tech.”

Shelby suspected from the way he wouldn’t look at her that Connor’s girlfriend was far more than that. As usual, talking about Colton’s job was off limits.

“These are damn good scrambled eggs,” Shelby said around a mouthful. “Your cooking has improved.”

He didn’t say anything, just gave her a quick smile and fiddled with the eggs on his plate. “Tell me about the case, Shelby.”

She took a piece of bacon, stalling. “I need my notes.”

He met her eyes. “Just give me the basics.”

I wish I could. A throbbing started behind her right eye. “Let’s finish our breakfast and then we can get the file and dig in.”

His gaze didn’t falter. “You can’t remember the details, can you?”

The throbbing increased along with her blood pressure. There was a hell of a lot she couldn’t remember. “It’s been months since I worked that case, Colton. A lot has happened in that time. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to want to review my notes before I speculate on anything.”

He gave her a nod, but his gaze went right through her. He could read her hesitation like he was reading her mind.

He knows.

But he didn’t call her out on it. Instead, he passed her the plate of toast and went back to his food without another word.

SHELBY LOOKED BETTERthis morning. The dark circles were nearly gone and Jaya had accented her already long lashes with mascara. She smiled at him over their breakfast, her cheeks showing a hint of pink. “Did you sleep okay in the guest room?”

Guest. Yep, that’s what he was in his own home. He moved some eggs around on his plate, the food tasting like cardboard even though he’d added hot sauce. “Sure.”

“Colton, I’m sorry about earlier.”

He glanced up and saw the smile was gone, her eyes serious. “About what?”

“You know.”

Yeah, he did, but denial was part of the game. He gave her a blank stare.

She huffed slightly. “I know you were outside the bedroom and heard Jaya and I discussing you.”

Shelby, always direct and to the point. One of the things he used to love about her. While he hid everything, he could count on her to always show her hand.

Loser. Jaya called it like she saw it too. Shoving his plate aside, he sat back in the chair, fingering his coffee cup. “I expected nothing less from your best friend, Shel.”

“Well, you should. It’s just…” She shook her head, whatever she was about to say crumpled up with her napkin. Her fingers twisted around her braid. “It must have been rough seeing me shot and lying in the hospital in a coma.”

He twirled the cup in circles on the table. “It was hell.”

“My parents didn’t make it any easier.”