40

She was folding and refolding her newly acquired stash of clothing for the hundredth time when Alaric appeared in the doorway. The moment her gaze connected with his, heat zinged across her cheeks and she felt silly for blushing so easily.

“Hungry?” he asked, expression impassive.

Her stomach rumbled in response. All she had eaten earlier was a bagel with cream cheese. “What do you have in mind?”

“Thought we could go out and grab something to eat.”

For some reason, her heart flopped over in her chest. “Go out and eat?”

Obviously mistaking her high-pitched response for fear, he softened his features. “I know this place. My partner and I go there all the time. It’ll be safe.”

It was better if he thought she was afraid instead of knowing the truth. Which was what? The sudden increase in her heart rate was due to excitement? But that was silly. This wasn’t a date. Calmly, she placed the folded shirt on the dresser. “I don’t have anything nice to wear.”

“What you’re wearing is fine,” he re