I waited in the hall, watching her walk away. I had been so preoccupied with my dreams, I failed to realize Kim’s stories hadn’t added up, and I didn’t catch that she was using her sarcasm to hide something. But hide what? That was all I needed: Something new to obsess about.

Bex was waiting for me when I walked out to the parking lot, in the same spot the Escalade usually sat. I was still twenty feet away when Bex relieved me of my backpack, and escorted me the remainder of the way to the BMW. He watched me for a moment, with his big, blue eyes.

“Yes,” I said, opening the passenger door.

A large, boyish grin radiated from one side of his mouth to the other, and he enthusiastically commandeered the driver’s seat once more. “Jared called, but you were in class.”

“Convenient.”

“He wanted you to be updated the second you were finished. He hasn’t had much luck. A few leads, he’s carrying them out today, and he’ll be home tomorrow night as promised.”

“Why didn’t he call me himself?” I asked, unable to clear the venom from my voice. The anger stemmed from the pain of missing him. Ironically, letting an emotion slip now and then made it easier to control them.

Bex sighed. “He misses you. He was afraid hearing your voice would make it worse. He didn’t want you to talk him into coming home.”

One corner of my mouth turned up, but I quickly subdued it. “I’ve got to stop by the office for a sec.”

“Yep,” Bex nodded, turning in the direction of Titan.

The evening consisted of homework and dinner. Bex proved to be an accomplished cook, no doubt learning from Lillian as Jared did. He whipped up an amazing Pasta Chick Pea Salad, followed by Peppered Shrimp Alfredo. I was so full by the time he served dessert that I didn’t have enough room to fully appreciate the small slice of cheesecake he placed in front of me.

“You’re spoiling me,” I said, leaning back in my chair.

“I happened to know Jared cooks for you all the time. I’m just trying to continue the lifestyle in which you’ve become accustomed.”

“If you say so….” I teased.

“And I like to cook,” he smiled.

“It’s a wonder I haven’t gained fifty pounds living with Jared,” I said, taking my plate to the sink.

“I got these. Go rest,” Bex said, pulling the plate from my hands.

“Quit it. It’s fifty-fifty around here.”

“Yeah, but I can do them faster,” he smirked.

“True,” I said, yawning.