Chapter 33

"This is either really bad," Mike said in a tone only half-joking, "or very good. Come on, Riley. Don't keep us in suspense."

"Okay, here's the bare bones of it. And the reasons why I think you should talk to her."

He told them about his lunch with Lia and the afternoon they'd spent together. Told them her reasons for wanting to meet Jamie and ask about the book. He gave them his assessment of her as a person and why he did not think she was a danger to them. As delicately as possible, he hinted at the connection they'd instantly made, hoping his friends wouldn't either laugh him out of the house or be pissed off that he was pursuing a relationship - and what a mild word that was for what he felt - with someone they found suspicious.

When he told them he'd brought her home to stay, they didn't seem to be nearly as shocked or angry as he'd expected.

"Why aren't you shouting at me?" he asked. "Or telling me I'm out of my mind?"