Eve shifted her bag into a more comfortable position. All she could do was leave Meg with a standing invitation. “I have to shower too. ASAP. If you ever want to join me again for a session, let me know.”

“Thanks, I will.” Meg picked up the small tote that held her shorts, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. “See you at the station on Friday.”

“I’ll be there.”

As Meg walked away, Eve’s ringtone gave a muffled rendition of her signature song from inside her bag.

She pulled it out, read the name on the screen—and her heart missed a beat.

Brent was calling her!

Now she wouldn’t have to manufacture an excuse to call him.

“Hi.” She put the phone to her ear and claimed a quiet corner of the locker room.

He returned her greeting. “Am I interrupting anything?”

“No. I finished a spinning class about ten minutes ago.”

“Are you going home from there?”

“That was the plan. Why?”

“I have an update I’d like to share—in person.”

“On the case?”

“Yes.”

She bit back the question that sprang to her lips. If she asked too much on the phone, he could end up relaying all his news—eliminating the need for a visit.

Patience would be a virtue in this situation.

“I could be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Give me thirty. I have to wrap up a few loose ends at the office.”

Perfect. She’d have a chance to jump in the shower once she got home.

“That’s fine. I was going to pick up a salad at Panera. If you don’t already have dinner plans, I’d be happy to order food for you too.”

Silence on the line.

Well, shoot. She’d been too forward. Again.

If this kept up, she was going to scare this man away before—

“I don’t have any plans. Or I didn’t, until now. But let me get the food.”

He wanted to buy their dinner? Like this was a sort of . . . date?

Don’t get your hopes up, Eve. Assume he’s just being polite and wants to save you a stop.

“That would be great, if you don’t mind. I’ll reimburse you later.”

“Don’t worry about it. Consider this repayment for two pieces of fabulous carrot cake. What would you like me to order for you?”

He didn’t want to be reimbursed.

That could be a positive sign—but it would be safer to withhold judgment until he arrived and she appraised the situation up close and personal.

Once she gave him her order and hung up, she zoomed home as fast as she could without incurring the wrath of any patrol officers eager to hand out speeding tickets.

In twenty minutes flat, she was out of the shower and pacing the hall, waiting for him.