e's

cat retreat - all bristled defense and barely contained panic. I leaned a

just about wasted sauce; it was tr

methyst rings. Her purple-tinted hair caught the hallway light as she turned to

bably making it stick up worse th

d an eyebrow. "Watch me. Someone needs to bridge the gap between yo

ing up more space than seemed physically possible. "Yeah, boss. The way you look at

ognizing a losing battle.

lgebra." He nodded toward the quiet girl perched on my kitchen

bservation of the world, like she was cataloging every detail for future referen

e need to hit the farmers' market before Jorge se

Can we get those weird purple carrots again?

I corrected automatically, making both teens roll

us. "Maybe organize your spice rack alphabeti

from taste-testing!" I threatened

s October best - trees along the street wearing their fall colors like evening gowns, the sk

almost missed it. When I turned, she was studying me with those

something raw and vulnerable before the walls slammed back up. "She doesn't

closed doors?" Tommy asked, his u

how young they both were, how much t

ce for a block before Tommy sp

la

a plan. Like when you helped me with the door thing

Tommy. They have to want to work through it themselves

usic?" Maria asked. "And why you moved th

how observant these

th ingredients she mentions liking whe

on-" A commotion u

glinting in the sun. My stomach dropped as I recognized one of them: Carmen Or

ke a shark scenting blood. "Mr. Rodri

r to me as Carmen approached, her heels cli

ed food service in residential buildings," she said, examini

ice cut through the tension. "Actual

fierce despite her obvious anxiety. She was clutching a noteb

munity service. I'd love to get your perspective on how current policies might

e faltered. "

s almost certain belonged to Ruby. "Shall we discuss over coffee? I have

ye for just a moment. The look we shared was electric - confu

my sleeve. "Your ea

d carrots," I muttered, bu

k she'll really help? What if she's just

anymore. But I remembered the way Skye's hands shook when she opened

the people who understand pain best are th

y're scared?

r messy bun threatening to escape its confines entirely. "Sometimes being brave isn

my pocket. From a

dn't write an exposé that would shut you down pe

even if it came with

need to grab ingredients fo

ou're not going to try to seduce

s menu. "I'm going to tell her the truth. The food i

tching from the second floor of the building across the street. Det

eling the next few hours would determ

"Zane? That detective

Sarah's silhouette disa