Bodice of Evidence by Nancy J. Parra Read Free Book Online Page A

me.
    â€œWe didn’t. He went with me when I was apartment shopping. When he said this was his favorite of all that we looked at, I signed the lease. A week later I realized thereason he liked it so much was that it was so close to his favorite bar.”
    â€œDid you call him on it?” he asked as I locked up and we went out the front door.
    â€œI did. He said that he thought it was a great idea. With the bar so close we’d never have to drink and drive.”
    â€œWow,” Gage said flatly, then took my elbow and helped me down the steps and over to his car. “Bobby’s a real prince sometimes.”
    â€œI know, right?” I lifted a corner of my mouth into a half smile. “I’ve been here going on five years now. It sort of grows on you.”
    He opened my door for me. “Will it be hard for you to live so close to the bar now?”
    â€œIt’s better than living with my mom and dad.” I climbed into the car and was happy to see Gage smile when I flashed a little leg getting in. “Don’t you agree?”
    â€œYes.” He closed my door for me and went around the back to the driver’s side.
    The restaurant was an intimate little place that served gourmet local food. I took in the beautiful candles and the cozy atmosphere. “I didn’t know you were a foodie.”
    â€œIsn’t everyone in Chicago a foodie?” Gage asked. “We do have some of the best restaurants in the United States.”
    â€œBobby preferred beer gardens to gourmet. I don’t think he even knows what eating local means.”
    â€œAll you can eat from the grocery store salad bar?” Gage joined in the teasing.
    I took his hand. “Let’s not talk about Bobby anymore. Okay?”
    â€œOkay,” he agreed, his gaze soft. “I’ve been trying not to pry, but I have to know what happened this afternoon. Can you tell me or is it not dinner conversation?”
    â€œIt’s definitely not romantic dinner conversation,” I said, and placed my free elbow on the table and rested my chin in my hand.
    â€œThen I won’t make you talk about it.” He squeezed my hand and ran his thumb softly across my knuckles. It was a soothing gesture.
    â€œIt’s a little awkward, isn’t it?” I leaned toward him and asked.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDating you. I mean that in the best possible way. I’m so used to being around you that I want to tell you everything as if you were still my buddy.”
    â€œI am your buddy.” He winked at me.
    â€œNo,” I said low enough for his ears only. “No, I certainly don’t think about making out with my buddies.”
    â€œAnd you’re thinking about making out with me?”
    â€œOh, yes,” I said. His look had my heart beating fast and my voice sounding breathy.
    â€œGood.” He sat back, breaking the sudden tension. “Let’s think about that then.”
    â€œOkay.”
    The waiter came over, bringing the bottle of wine Gage had ordered and two wineglasses. The cork was pulled and Gage was asked to inspect it. At his okay, the waiterpoured a small amount of the red and offered the glass to Gage. He swirled it like a pro, sniffed it, and then took a small swig.
    I watched in fascination as he swished it around in his mouth a moment then swallowed.
    â€œVery good,” Gage said.
    The waiter nodded and poured a small amount in both glasses. “Enjoy!”
    â€œReally.” I leaned in to Gage so that my voice wouldn’t carry. “You know about wine tasting?”
    He smiled. “You really don’t know me as well as you thought you did. Do you?”
    â€œNo.” I shook my head and picked up my glass. “But I look forward to finding out.”
    â€œThat’s the spirit.” Gage lifted his glass. “Here’s to us. The most interesting people we know.”
    I laughed. “Hear, hear.” We touched