“Yeah.”His gaze flicks past me, casual, surveying.“You’re always in the thick of things.”Then his eyes swing back, slow and deliberate, pausing until I meet his.“Or wherever your subject is.”
The words land soft, and that’s what makes them dangerous.Despite the twist in my stomach, I register the tone.Not accusatory.Not yet.Just...observant, as if filing something away for later.Does he know about last night?
Then he casually moves on to work, timelines, reaffirming my impression he plans to be here for the long haul.Absolutely not.
While his questions are normal, they’re asked too carefully, each one with intention.Then his gaze slows, tracking movement behind me—Maddox.I’d recognize his scent anywhere.I don’t look as he passes through once, close enough I sense him, far enough that Blane can’t prove anything.
It’s almost as if he knows, or if not knows, senses something has shifted between Maddox and me.
When Percy cuts in, Blane smiles and drifts away like he got what he came for.I let out a slow breath even as dread settles low in my stomach.I have to do something.
Soon enough, we’re seated, giving thanks and passing plates.Somewhere in the middle of it all, I catch Zoe in the hallway, both of us headed for the bathroom.
Earlier today, I looked up her work.She’s good.Not Blane good, but far better than me, and I was the one originally assigned to do it all.She’s the perfect replacement for Blane.Now, here’s hoping she wants it.
“Hey, Zoe.”I lower my voice, scanning behind us.The last thing I need is Blane overhearing.
“Hey.”
“I wanted to ask if you’d have time—or interest—in helping with some of the art for the feature on Maddox.”I glance over my shoulder again, making sure we’re alone.“Photos, short videos, maybe a few graphics or charts.I’d give you direction, and we’d finalize everything together.”
Her eyes widen, bright with what I hope is excitement.“Oh my gosh, Grace—yes.I’d love to.”
Relief loosens the knot sitting heavy in my belly.
“Great.”I hand her my phone.“Give me your number, and I’ll reach out on...”I pause to figure out when is the best time to talk to Blane.“Say Tuesday.”
She taps in her details and hands it back, beaming.“You know, since you’ll be busy with the feature, I could probably work with Blane, too.I could learn a lot from him.”
“Um…” I hesitate because this is where it gets complicated.
It would be a great opportunity for Zoe, though Blane doesn’t play nice with other photographers.
I could soften it, but the truth is best.“Blane won’t be around much longer.”
Her brows lift.“Oh.”
“Yeah.Other assignments.”I tuck my phone away.“We should probably get back to the table.”
She nods and leads the way.
Dinner passes in a blur, and by the time the clean-up is done, football commands the family room.I hang back in the kitchen and find Eddie.
“Hey.”I step closer, lowering my voice.“I heard you used to work with Ray.”
“Uh-huh.”Eddie leans against the counter, his flannel shirt stretches across his broad shoulders.“Everything I know about vehicles, I learned from him.Ray was a mentor and good friend.I bought his garage when he passed.”He studies me.“Why?”
“With the memorial this weekend, I wanted to get a sense of the man—from people who knew him well.”I keep my tone easy.“I don’t know how much will make it into the feature, if anything, but I thought it was worth asking.”
His smile is warm but distant.“Tell you what, Grace.I’m speaking at the memorial.That might be all you need.If you want more after that, come find me.”
“Okay, thanks.”
He pushes off the counter and grabs a beer from the fridge.“You want one?”
“No, I’m good.”I lift my water.
“Game’s starting.You coming?”