Fake Flame by Adele Buck

Author:Adele Buck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2024-02-15T22:05:36+00:00

* * *

Eva had to get off this topic. The more they talked about their imaginary relationship, the more charming Sean got. His curiosity was both compelling and endearing. And it was every flavor of ironic that her student was “shipping” an imaginary relationship. They actually might as well be characters on Madison’s television screen.

She finished her drink and placed the glass on the bar. “Anyway. We should probably call it a night.”

Sean just nodded and lifted a finger for the tab, waving her away when it came and placing a couple of bills on the bar. “Let’s get out of here.” He took her hand as they walked out and Eva’s stomach gave a little quiver of longing. Foolish stomach. Foolish quiver.

Foolish her for longing for more when Sean was just being an all-around fantastic guy. She should be grateful for what she had.

They drove back to the university in silence and Sean pulled in next to her car. She’d parked under a light in the faculty parking lot, but he still insisted on getting out and looking the car over. Then he stopped, rubbing his chin, looking at her passenger side front tire.

“You have a flat,” he told her.

“What?” She hurried around to look at it, but yes. The tire was a pancake, puddled under the rim. “Well, shit.”

“Can you pop the trunk so I can get the spare?” he asked.

She gave him a look that she hoped communicated the fact that she knew the spare was a dud and hadn’t done anything about it. He opened his mouth, but she held up a finger. “Don’t say it.” She pulled out her phone and called roadside assistance. The attendant told her that a tow truck would pick it up sometime that evening and she didn’t have to wait around.

“Can I bother you for a ride home?” Eva asked Sean as she tucked the phone back into her purse.

“Yeah. I think I want to make another walk-through of your house, too.”

“Um... Okay.” She wasn’t sure what to make of his serious demeanor, of the way he scanned the parking lot as he let her back into his truck. “It’s just a flat,” she said as he took another circuit of her car. “I probably picked up a nail or something on my way in.”

“Humor me,” he said, his jaw tight.

“Oh-kay...” A sort of sick tension was gathering in her gut. She wanted lighthearted, curious Sean back. This version, stern and suspicious, made her nervous. Not about him, but about what was making him act this way. “What do you think is going on?”

“You didn’t pick up a nail. There was a gash in your sidewall. Someone slashed that tire.”

“What?” How could this be happening? What even was going on? He placed a hand on her elbow, gently leading her back to his truck and letting her in. “Do we need to call the police?” she asked.

He shook his head as he pulled out. “No. They won’t really have anything to go on in terms of evidence, so it’s pointless.

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