Aftermath by Rachel Trautmiller Read Free Book Online Page B

watch your words, Nettles. “I’ll hide instead.”
    “That won’t be weird at all.”
    Nope. Not in this universe. “Do you want some tea?”
    When she would have passed him, on her way to the fridge, he grabbed her wrist. A jolt of electricity shot across her skin.
    Intensity blasted from every pore of his body. All of it aimed in her direction. His nostrils flared. “You can’t say something like that and walk away. Offer a drink as if nothing about this encounter is strange.”
    It was unfair, for sure. She leaned as close to him as she dared without being sucked in by the Robinson magnet. Kept her voice low. “What’s the matter? Super Spy can’t handle it?”
    Shopping bags came through the door first as McKenna shoved her way inside. “I’m sorry it took me forever. The store—” Her gaze landed on Amanda and Robinson. Zeroed in on the masculine hand still holding her wrist. A small smile lit her friend’s face.
    So much for staving off ideas.
    “Hey, guys. Am I interrupting something?”
    “Nope.” Amanda tried to jerk herself free.
    At the same time Robinson said, “Yes.” His thumb rubbed a pattern across the inside of her wrist. If things were different, she could stay right here. Sit on his lap and smile at him. Ask if he wanted to grab lunch and talk about his case some more. Or talk about anything, really. It wouldn’t matter.
    Amanda blinked back the image. Apparently, she was into torture, because none of it could happen. Wouldn’t matter if the conversation was easy, the smiles genuine and physical contact throwing sparks. At the end of the day, the problem wasn’t something they could fix.
    McKenna hauled her bags to the recessed counter in front of them. “Which is it?”
    Amanda freed herself from Robinson’s grasp. “See,” she said slowly. “Ideas.”
    “I’m more interested in yours.” He turned to McKenna, now unloading a box of crackers and a twenty ounce bottle of Sprite from her bags. A package of diapers and wipes already sat next to the coffee maker.
    “McKenna, did you notice the ring on Amanda’s finger?”
    Amanda sucked a breath inward. Sent a glare his way. What didn’t he understand about giving McKenna ammunition? She’d run straight to Jordan and they’d have double the handful.
    Robinson braced both elbows on the counter and clasped his hands in front of his face. At ease, as if he’d asked what his agent’s plans for the weekend were.
    Fine. She could follow his lead. Tucked both hands in her pockets. And barely resisted smacking him upside the head.
    The other woman had paused, a box of Cheerios mid-air. “What?” Her all-knowing gaze bounced between them as if they were teenagers she was trying to understand how best to punish.
    Amanda resisted the urge to squirm. Eyed the door while calculating the best escape route. Too bad she was the worst kind of moron. Always running toward a problem, instead of away.
    For the most part.
    “Are you...?” Her best friend’s gaze flicked to her, bounced to Robinson and then came back. “Is it...? Let me see it.” She held her hand out as if Amanda would show the evidence upon request.
    Fat chance.
    The man beside her had seriousness blanketed across his features, one fisted palm cupped over his unsmiling mouth, as if he really had no idea. As if he actually thought she might find another guy and agree to marry him less than six months after their disastrous non-wedding.
    She should kick him. Or...kiss that stupid expression growing on his face. The one that said, check-mate.
    Infuriating G-man always had her scrambled. Always backing her into a corner. Anticipating a little battle of wills, where no one ever got hurt. Usually.
    The prospect sent excitement through her veins.
    She needed therapy. And maybe heavy anti-Robinson medication.
    “So?” McKenna put the Cheerios aside and wadded up a shopping bag. “Let’s see it.”
    “There’s nothing to see. No boyfriend. No ring. Pretty simple.”
    Her