Page 19

Chapter 19

NATE

“You can't keep being this fast," I say. “You're going to make the rest of us look incompetent.”

Madeline smiles and settles into her chair after setting a new record for how quickly she can sort through paperwork. It's barely halfway to lunch, and she's earned herself another free morning.

“Finishing work early gives me a chance to do what I actually want to do.” She goes to pick up her knitting supplies and gets started on it.

“Ah, and here I thought you were at this office because you wanted to be a lawyer.”

“That'll probably be on the side,” she jokes.

A small laugh escapes, one that hasn't been heard in a while. Since that night at Madeline's house, sadness lingers like a cloud over her head.

Another issue is that I see she's becoming more concerned about Cora. All I want is to make that cloud disappear completely.

I should do something nice for her.

The gears in my brain turn while I think of something Madeline will like, something to keep her spirits up. Suddenly, an idea occurs to me.

Madeline gets up with a sigh. “I'll be right back.”

“Take your time,” I reply, “you have a lot of it right now.”

Normally, I'd be more curious about where Madeline is going–and I still am–but I need her out of the office to start my plan.

She walks away, and I immediately rush to her bag of supplies, noting her scent getting further from the office.

I look through the bag and see a bunch of stuff, but I note that her yarn is running low. There's a business card at the bottom of the bag that I reach for and read.

“An address,” I muse. “It's probably the store where she gets her supplies.”

I put everything back in the bag, very pleased with what I've discovered. Then I head back to my chair with a smile on my face and the address in my head.

Madeline walks back into the office, almost breaking my concentration. I fix my eyes on the computer screen while she watches me suspiciously. I look back at her and realize she hasn't sat down yet.

“What's up?”

“What's up with you?” she inquires, narrowing her eyes.

“No clue what you're talking about.”

Thankfully, she drops it and returns to her knitting. I glance at the clock, seeing that I have just under two hours before lunch.

Now's the perfect time.

I clear my throat before pushing my chair back. “Um, I have to run out for a bit.”

“Where are you going?” she asks.

“I have to meet a potential client for an early lunch.”

Madeline raises an eyebrow at me. “You don't have any meetings lined up for today.”

“It just came up. I took the call just after you left.”

“Hmm.” I can tell she has questions, but she says nothing more.

I turn off my computer, still reciting the address of her yarn supply store in my head. When I get to the door, I pause to look back.

“If I'm not back for lunch, you don't need to wait for me.”

I leave the office before she can respond. My plan involves her not being in my office when I return.

I exit the building and head straight to my car, starting the ignition, listening to the engine purr producing a satisfying sound as I drive out of the parking lot.

The supply store is farther than I expected, located in a part of town I don't visit often. I park my car by the side of the road, get out, and look around. I reach the building door and open it.

The store is packed with arts and crafts supplies. There are so many it's almost overwhelming, especially for someone like me who knows nothing about knitting. Only three people are in the store: three women whose eyes lock on me as soon as I walk in.

I give an awkward wave and the three of them start sharing glances while I walk around the store. The sheer variety of inventory has me wandering around for more than ten minutes.

I had just planned to help Madeline replenish her yarn skeins, but there looked to be hundreds of different types to pick from.

“Hi there.” I turn to the woman who just walked up to me. “Looking for something?”

I can instantly tell she's a shifter. She doesn't look like she works here.

“Hey,” I mutter.

“We don't get a lot of guys at this store. Especially not shifters.”

“I guess you could say I'm doing special shopping.”

She plays with the ends of her hair. “That's nice. I'm not complaining though, you're pretty great to look at.” I brush off the compliment with a smile and a nod before going back to my search. “What are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”

“Just supplies for my girlfriend,” I reply, emphasizing the word.

“I see,” she says, clearly comfortable. “Maybe I can help them. I'm Hannah. Lucca over there owns the store.” Hannah points to the girl at the counter, talking to the other woman.

“I'm sure I'll be fine on my own,” I reply. “It's part of the experience.”

I'm just about to walk past her when I catch a whiff of something familiar. I turn immediately, scanning the area, in shock. Hannah seems a little stunned by my sudden movement, too, taking a step back.

“What's going on?” she asks.

“I smell gasoline.” I look at her and glance at her fingers. “Is that ring yours?”

Hannah cocks her head to the side and then it looks like she comes to a realization. “You're Nate, aren't you?”

It's my turn to be surprised. “Yes, how do you know that?”

She gives a small laugh. “Madeline talks about you all the time. I didn't think I would ever get to meet you, but here you are. She was also pretty worried about a trinket I got a few days ago. She had the same look you have now.”

“Did this ring come from the same person?”

“I don't know,” she confesses. “A lot of people come into the store, so there's no way of knowing.”

“Not many people smell like gasoline and gunpowder.”

“You’d be surprised by the types who come in here. But I can keep a nose out for you. If I catch a whiff of anything like that again, I'll let you or Madeline know.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

She answers with a smile. “No problem. Now, let's get you something for your girl.”

Hannah ends up doing most of the shopping while I swipe the card for payment. I load the new supplies into my car and head back to the office just in time for the lunch break.

When I return to the office, Madeline isn't in. I slip what I got her into the large supply bag and wait. Thirty minutes later, she comes back to the office. She sees me in the chair, a little startled.

“You're back,” she states.

“Did you miss me?”

“I should be asking you. How come you missed lunch? Have you eaten anything?”

“Yeah, early lunch, remember?”

“Oh yeah,” she says before going to her bag. Madeline gasps when she opens it. She looks at me with wide eyes. “Oh, Nate.”

I look up. “Yes?”

“What's this?”

“Just some things.”

“You got me knitting supplies?” Madeline asks, diving through everything.

“How are you so sure it's me? It could've been anyone.”

“Thank you so much,” Madeline says with a squeal. “How did you even—you went to my yarn store?”

“I did.”

“How'd you find it?”

I leaned back against my chair. “I have my ways.”

Madeline picks up one of the yarn balls and holds it close to her chest. “Thank you.”

Her genuine smile warms my heart. “It's nothing.”

“No, it's not,” she insists. “It's everything. I need to tell Olivia.”

She bolts out of the office and I'm left laughing. I catch myself, but it's far too late. I shake my head quickly.

I'm just being nice. It's not because I have feelings … right?