The Darkest Corner (Gravediggers #1)(60)

Tess turned crimson.

"Hello." Miller turned to Tess inquiringly. "You left a lot of information out just now."

"I was getting to it," Tess growled.

He turned his attention to Miller. "I need to talk to Tess. It's important."

"If it's so important, why didn't you come earlier instead of going to the gym for a workout? You've been wasting all this time."

"Because we didn't want to deny you the opportunity to use your binoculars."

Tess snorted out a laugh and Miller pinched her lips together. "You left the blinds open."

"That's a Peeping Tom's favorite excuse," he said.

Tess laughed even harder at that and tears rolled down her cheeks. "That's what I said too."

"Remember what's in the emergency supply pack," Miller said, looking pointedly at Tess. "Maybe take it with you. Just in case. Though I think that box has been in the bag four years now. I'm not sure what the shelf life is."

"Hush," Tess hissed.

Deacon was pretty sure he was getting the gist of the conversation. "What's in the emergency supply pack?" he asked. "I thought we'd take the bike out for a ride. Bring it with you."

Miller broke into hysterical giggles, and Tess groaned.

"Y'all should go," Miller said. "I just remembered I have some errands to do."

"You just remembered?" Tess said. "How very convenient. You never do errands on the weekend because of the crowds." Then she turned to Deacon. "I've never been on a motorcycle."



       
         
       
        

"You'll love it. Nothing makes you feel freer than riding the open road."

She pushed her wineglass back, though it was half-full. "If I go with you, I'd like some explanations please."

"You'll get them," he promised. "As much as I can."

"This is super-awkward," Miller said. "I'm going to go now." Miller stood and started gathering dishes. She tossed the cookies into the trash and rinsed the wineglasses in the sink.

"Can you cook?" she asked Deacon.

"Yes. But mostly out of necessity."

She nodded. "That'll be good enough. I approve."

Tess sputtered. "You approve what? My life is not your next romance novel."

"This is what I like to call backstory," Miller said. "This is the part of your life where you do something wild and crazy and have the best sex of your life. This is the part of the story that has to happen so you can learn from your experiences and find your true happily ever after."

"She gets philosophical after a couple of glasses of wine," Tess said apologetically.

His lips twitched. "I'm okay with it. I like this story. Best sex of your life?" he asked, brows raised.

"Hmm . . ." Tess said for lack of anything better. "Maybe we should talk about my bathroom. It seems like safer ground."

"You'd think that," he said, "but I wouldn't bet money on it."

"Y'all stop talking about bathrooms and go have fun. Don't forget the emergency supply pack," Miller said, dropping it in Tess's lap. "My work here is done. Call me tomorrow if you're free. Just don't call before noon, because it's my morning to sleep late."

"It's always your morning to sleep late," Tess said. "Do you even know what before noon looks like?"

"Sure," Miller said. "I see it around six a.m. when I'm heading to bed." She grabbed her purse and blew Tess a kiss.

"Hold on, cowboy," Deacon said, stopping her in her tracks. "You've had about one glass of wine too many to drive home."

"I live three blocks from here," she said.

"Most accidents happen less than a mile from a person's home."

"You made that up," she said, hands on hips.

"I never make things up," he retorted.

"Well, I make up stuff for a living, so I can recognize a good bullshitter a mile away. But I'm happy to leave my car here and walk home since the rain has stopped. When Tess and I move to the city, we'll never have to worry about having too much wine because we can just take the train wherever we want to go." 

"Are you moving with me?" Tess asked.

"I just decided. Is that okay?" Miller asked. "I don't want to live with you though. I'll get my own place. Maybe next door. You know I don't like living with other people."

Deacon was starting to think maybe Miller had had more than two glasses of wine. She hadn't stopped talking since he walked in the door.

"No need to walk," he said. "Just a second."