How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod had been wiping down the silverware for Elodie when she suddenly slid into the seat beside him. His hand froze mid-motion, and he turned slowly, meeting her gaze. She looked at him calmly, her eyes giving nothing away, and yet, beneath that cool surface, he somehow sensed an invisible hook tugging at his heart, over and over, leaving ripples he couldn't suppress.

The feeling was intoxicating, stirring something deep inside. His eyes darkened a shade, and he set the spoon down, meeting her gaze head-on. "You always have to sit this close?"

Elodie picked up the spoon he'd just finished polishing, her arm brushing against his as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Is that a problem? Should I move back?"

She was already starting to rise as she spoke.

Without missing a beat, Jarrod chuckled and reached out, pulling her gently back beside him. "Ms. Thorne, not even a little leeway?"

Elodie arched a brow, glancing at him sidelong. "Why pretend you're innocent? Was all that really necessary?"

He didn't deny it he was being deliberately obtuse, but embarrassment was never his style. Drawing her a little closer, he said, "Well, this is a surprise. You were never this forward with me before. If I don't play coy, you might start thinking I'm easy."

Elodie rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “You really never stop, do you?"

at the corner of his mouth. "It's rare

and taking a sip to steady herself. “How did you find

phone sent me

notice? That area blocks most signals, but it's not foolproof-there must've been @brief gap. Watts is usually careful, but it would've made no

I had it." A flicker of relief crossed her face. If she hadn't dropped it under the seat in the car, she might never have had

lazily. "That explains

leaned into the curve of his arm, a gesture so natural she barely noticed the trust and intimacy

at her, the way she nestled in close, and an

the kid, didn't he? How did you handle that?" Elodie's mind was churning with questions. Ever since she'd overheard

Jarrod replied, absently twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers. "You've heard of the

in surprise. He'd

for a while now. The child is my only real weakness no matter the risk,

make backup plans.

facility is real, but I made it a smokescreen. Everything looks normal on the outside, but a while ago, I quietly moved the kid to