Steve picked up his fork without commenting. It was just a little too bizarre for him to believe. He continued eating in silence, dissecting her story several different ways. Every way he turned it in his mind, it always came back to the fact that she was somehow the center point of what was going on.

“Jen, if I showed you those pictures,” he began, without looking at her. He leaned back and pushed the almost empty plate away. Glancing at her, he walked out of the kitchen and onto the balcony.

Jennifer put the plate in the sink and followed him out. “Finish what you were going to say.”

Steve shook his head. “I don’t want to put you in the middle of this thing,” he said, looking out at the lake. “I want you as far away from it as possible.” He turned to her.

“I think I’m already in the middle somehow,” she said, echoing his thoughts.

“I don’t want you to be.”

She ran her hand up his arm and he covered it with his. “I’ll do whatever you need me to.”

Steve glanced over at her. “I’ve already used you enough.” He looked back out at the lake.

“What are you talking about?” Jennifer removed her hand stepping away.

Steve closed his eyes. “There you go again.” He shook his head slightly and began to laugh.

“How have you been using me?” The hurt in her voice made his eyes open.

He leveled with her. “You’ve kept me close to the primary suspect in our case.” Jennifer took another step away and Steve grabbed her arm. “I’m in love with you, Jen.” He didn’t release her arm. “That isn’t part of the job.”

She tried to yank herself away, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he stepped to her, wrapping his arms around her. Her furrowed brow and pouty lips along with that spark in her green eyes made him smile.

“You aren’t the primary suspect, babe. You just happen to be roommates with his girlfriend.”

Jennifer blinked. “Billy?”

Steve nodded. “Yes. And last night was just another indicator that I’m looking in the right place.”

“I can’t believe Billy is involved in this. I’ve known him for close to seven years now,” she balked. “He and Tom were friends in high school.”

“The majority of the missing persons list were rush candidates or pledges of Beta Theta Pi and Bill has been the fraternity president for the last two years.” He took a deep breath. “Before he became president, the run rate was one or two missing persons a year, which, technically for a college town like this, is normal; however, those were also related to the fraternity.”

He looked into her eyes. “That’s where I come in. I look young enough to be a dropout trying to get my shit together after what happened with Peg. I gain the sympathy of the fraternity president because he can relate—he lost his best friend a few years before in what looks like a legitimate car accident.” He shrugged. “Then the curve ball was thrown. Your name came across in the report.” He lifted his hand to her face and ran his fingers down the line of her jaw, stopping under her chin. “And my God, what a curve ball you are.”

He leaned over, tilting her face up, and kissed her. “Our little game was fun, but it put a strain on the friendship I had built with Bill over the summer. I was losing his trust and confidence.” He ran his thumb over her lips. “Little did I know putting an end to our game would blow up in my face?”

Jennifer tried to move away, but he kept her against him. “What do you mean blow up in your face?”

“Jenny, Bill wants you.”

Jennifer raised her eyebrows as a surprised laugh escaped. “He’s with Tracy.”

Steve tilted his head with a shrug. “He may be with her, but he wants you. And that scares the shit out of me.” He kept eye contact with her, his hand still on her face.

“Why does that scare you?”

He shook his head. Strong and pure emotions played in the depths of his heart. “I have no tangible reason, just a very uneasy feeling.” He ran his thumb over her lips again. “And that instinct has never been wrong.”

“You have nothing to be afraid of,” Jennifer said, as though she thought he was scared she had the same feelings for Bill as he had for her.

Steve smiled. She really was sweet and naïve sometimes. “I’m not afraid of losing you to him, I’m afraid he’s gonna hurt you.”

Jennifer laughed. “Billy would never hurt me,” she said pushing away gently.

Steve disagreed with her, but didn’t argue. He glanced at the hot tub. “Want to change and try that out?” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m already in swim trunks.”

Jennifer disappeared into the apartment. She came back a few minutes later in her bathing suit and helped take the cover off. They slipped in the hot bubbly water.

“I really need to learn to keep my pants on and my mouth shut around you,” Steve said. He shook his head and threw his arm around her shoulders.

Jennifer glanced at him, furrowing her eyebrows. “Why?”

Steve inhaled. “Because information just tumbles out when I’m with you and that really isn’t good. You’re not an agent with the bureau.” He stopped and sighed, leaning his head back on one of the cushy headrests. “I’m not supposed to discuss the case with anyone but my boss.” He tilted his head toward her. “By discussing it, I could compromise the case. What’s worse, it could put you in danger.”

“How so?”

Steve shook his head. “I never thought about the ramifications if you slip up.” He pulled his arm from her shoulders and studied his hands. He shrugged and looked at her. “I know you wouldn’t intentionally say anything, but…”

“Steve, I’m not going to say a word to anyone.”

“Not even Tracy?”

Jennifer shook her head. “No, not even to Tracy.”

Steve kept her gaze. “But you told her we slept together.”

Nodding, Jennifer said, “Yes, I did.”

Steve raised his eyebrows. “Why?”

“Because she’s my best friend and girls talk about that stuff.”

Steve grinned and looked away.

“She knew you wanted to get me in bed,” Jennifer smiled. “You weren’t very conspicuous about checking me out.”

“Yeah, well…” He shrugged.

The apartment door swung open. “Jen?”

“We’re out here,” Jennifer called.

Tracy and Bill stepped onto the balcony.

“Hey, I thought you had class,” Tracy said to Jennifer.

“I did. But I had an asthma attack.”

Tracy raised her eyebrows. “Another one?”

Jennifer shrugged; she hadn’t had one since Tom’s death. She looked over at Steve. “I called Steve and he knew what to do.”

Tracy shifted her gaze to Steve. “You’re certainly handy to have around.” She batted her eyelashes, bowing her back slightly to show off her frontal endowments. “What else can you do?”

“He can cook,” Jennifer said and smiled.

Steve felt the heat rush to his cheeks. He didn’t like this kind of attention.

“Mhm, at least I know you won’t starve to death.” Tracy glanced over at Bill. “I’m gonna change and join them.” She disappeared, leaving him looking after her.

Bill glanced at Steve and Jennifer and without a word; he headed inside to find Tracy.

“See,” Steve whispered in Jennifer’s ear, nodding toward the door.

“See what?”

Before he could explain, Tracy popped out onto the balcony. “Do you like to cook?” Tracy asked as she slid into the hot tub opposite Jennifer and Steve.

Steve nodded. “Yeah. You?”

Tracy nodded. “But I hate to bake.”

Steve chuckled and glanced at Jennifer. “I understand she’s pretty inept in the kitchen.”

Bill’s laughter reached them and he appeared in the doorway. “That’s an understatement,” he said, sliding into the water next to Tracy. “She once tried to cook for Tom and nearly set the kitchen on fire,” he explained. “What were you trying to make?”

“French fries,” Jennifer mumbled.

“Thank God your parents had that fire extinguisher in the kitchen,” Bill laughed. “She tried to put out the grease fire with water. What a mess. Tom grabbed the extinguisher and put the fire out before the entire kitchen went up in flames.”