Brie Careful What You Wish For by Linda Reilly

Author:Linda Reilly [Reilly, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mysteries & Thrillers
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Published: 2024-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

By the time Carly arrived home, Ari had set the table for wine and pizza. The sight of his dark brown gaze and jaunty smile gave her heart the flutter it always did. Tonight, however, she needed something more to lift her spirits—if that was possible after the afternoon she’d had.

She hugged him hard, drinking in the fresh scent of the botanical soap he used. For whatever reason, it made her feel safe. As if nothing bad could happen in the world as long as they were together.

Ari stood back and touched her cheek, his face creased with concern. “Honey, is everything okay? Did something happen?”

“I’m just happy to be home,” she said wearily. “Truth be told, I had kind of a crappy afternoon. Valerie’s ticked at me, and Ross says he’s quitting if the police don’t find the killer by Monday. It feels like everything’s falling apart around me.” She let her tote slide off her shoulder and onto the floor.

Ari scooped it up and set it on the hallway table.

Havarti trotted out from the kitchen and leaped at Carly’s knees. “Hey, I wondered what happened to my faithful companion,” she teased. “You didn’t come to the door to greet me.” She lifted the dog into her arms and kissed his snout.

“That was my fault.” Ari chuckled. “I just gave him his favorite food—the chicken chunks in gravy—so I think he was torn.”

Or he was sensing my gloomy mood? Carly wondered. She set Havarti on the floor and said, “Did you order the pizza yet?”

“Not yet. I waited to see what you were in the mood for. Do you want to talk first? I can pour us some wine and you can tell me what happened.”

Despite the way her workday had ended, her stomach felt stirrings of hunger. The last thing she’d eaten was the sticky cotton candy. Not exactly a meal to be proud of.

“Sounds good to me. Are you okay with a margherita pizza? Maybe we can order it for an hour from now.”

She settled on the sofa while Ari poured the wine and called for pizza delivery.

“All set,” he said. “It’ll be here by eight thirty.”

Wineglass in hand, Ari snuggled next to Carly on the sofa. Havarti tried to squeeze in, but eventually opted to curl up on Carly’s lap.

Ari listened in silence as Carly recounted the events of her day. When she was through, he set down his wineglass and took her hand in his.

“Honey, I feel terrible that your day ended on such a sour note,” he said. “I want to help you, but I don’t know where to begin. I’m definitely not happy with the way Holloway’s been treating you. I get that he’s worried about your safety, but he’s usually not so harsh.”

Carly nodded. “I know. The thing is, he and Val have such a nice relationship, but Val is my friend, too. I feel as if I’m coming between them, and that’s the last thing I want.”

“Let’s think about this,” he offered.

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