Page 38 of The Night Shift

“And he’s also the one who broke into your home?”

“Yes.”

“To steal a…top?”

A pause. “And jeans.”

Cami nods. “Right, so he’s opening a boutique.”

“Okay fine, when you put it like that, it sounds kinda —”

“Dumb,” Cami cuts me off. “It sounds dumb, Holly. The first text had a picture of me bartending. Theo doesn’t even know we’re friends. If he was the one who broke into your apartment, why would he steal your clothes out of all things? On top of all that, your apartment has a number lock. How would he know the code?Idon't even know the code.”

I give her a slow nod. “I guess that makes sense.” But if that makes sense, then I’m back to square one. Because who else has motive enough to torment me like this? Not to mention, I have no idea what the fuck his motive might be other than getting on my last nerve till I explode due to anger, but…still. This whole thing of not turning me in despite knowing what I’ve done — what Ido— it’s…it’s sick. Twisted. Diabolical and evil. It has Theo Carter written all over it. I mean, why else would he taunt me and ask me how it felt tokillsomeone on a random Thursday night? That’s not what normal people ask other normal people. There was a lilt in his voice. A certain touch of mischief in the way he phrased that question. Like he already knew the answer. Hemustknow something, right?

My whole body ignites with frustration. I hate this! I hate not knowing!

“You really think it’s him, don’t you?” Cami asks.

“I don’t know. Who else could it be?”

She leans forward to rest her elbows against the bar top and lowers her voice just a smidge. “You know there’s a very simple solution to all of this.”

“What?”

She smiles, her eyes gleaming with a familiar insanity.

“No. I’m not killing him.”

“Why not? If he really is the one sending you these messages, then he absolutely deserves to be six feet in the ground. And if he’s not, you hate the guy. Either way, it’s a win-win.”

An odd sensation twists my gut, rolling and heaving, fresh and new. “Yeah. Win-win.”

“You don’t sound very sure.”

“No, I am. It’s just…” The sensation moves up to my chest and I lift my hand to rub the spot. “He’s going to be the best man at April’s wedding in less than a week. If I kill him now, then I will basically ruin her wedding.”

Amusement dances across Cami’s features and I can’t help but feel a surge of annoyance. What the hell is so funny? “What?” I demand, my tone edged with irritation.

Her response only fuels my frustration. “You absolutely do not hate that man.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re into him.”

“What?!” I’m pretty sure my entire face cringes. “Just because my first impulse isn’t to kill him, doesn’t mean I amintohim. I’m just trying to be smart about this.”

“Your first impulse to anything is to kill him. You're either extremely into this man I have never heard of until today, or you're going soft, Holly. Both are equally embarrassing scenarios.”

Even though her words grate on my nerves, I suppress the urge to snap back. The suggestion that I'm going soft is absurd.Absolutelynot. I am not going soft! Especially not for Theo fucking Carter. Sick.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a woman entering the bar. She walks behind me, heading towards an empty booth at the other end of the bar. Maintaining eye contact with Cami, I subtly extend my leg, and a shocked yelp escapes the woman’s mouth as she stumbles and crashes to the floor.

“Oops.” My tone is nonchalant, and my gaze is still fixed on Cami, who’s too busy gaping at the sight. Behind me, I hear some groaning and scuffling. I rise from my seat to lend a hand to the poor woman.

I grab her hand and gently help her to her feet, offering a reassuring smile. “Down the hallway to the right,” I say in a calm voice, guiding her towards the washroom. “You have some blood on your lip.”

She goes on staring at me, mute and with a horrified expression. I lean in closer to wipe away some blood from her bottom lip, then lick it off my thumb. “Sorry. I'm just so clumsy today.” I try my best to offer a comforting smile, even though I’m sure I look like a deranged toddler.