I’d asked Tommy if he knew the name Terrance Malden. His response had been, “I know faces, not names.” After I’d described Terrance as blond with hazel eyes and a big belly, Tommy had laughed. “You know how many men in this city fit that description?”
I yawned as Dillon braked at a stoplight. The last two days had been hectic. I’d moved out of the hostel and into Dillon’s house. For some reason, I felt like I belonged there. Bee and Allie were so excited, as was Dillon. Even though he didn’t express his feelings like the girls did, he did smile every time I entered a room. I didn’t pry anymore into his business about his sister. The girls had mentioned he continually searched for her. I wanted to help him but wasn’t sure how. Maybe when I got my life back in order I could do something for him. For sure, I would somehow repay him for all his help and hospitality.
“Any word from Pilkington?” Dillon asked.
“No. He’s tied up in some big trial. I asked his secretary if she could send me the documents, but she had to get his approval.” I’d have jumped on a plane to Florida, but my intuition told me I would have better luck staying close to Zach. And money was tight.
“What about Kelton? Has he talked to Zach?” Dillon gave his Camaro some gas.
“He said we’d talk when he saw me later.” Kelton’s other task was to contact an attorney he knew for some advice. Maybe that lawyer could help me with Mr. Pilkington. After all, a call from a lawyer might have more clout than one from me. “Can you drop me off at Rumors?”
His eyes wrinkled around the edges. “Isn’t Kelton in school?”
“Yeah, but I’m not going there for Kelton. I need a job. I think the manager has an opening for a waitress.” I’d called Peyton that morning to ask if her mom had any catering jobs on the horizon. Since she didn’t, I’d remembered something Lacey had said when I was in line for the bathroom at Rumors. Kade had been going through résumés for a waitress.
“You know the manager is Kade Maxwell?” Dillon shifted his attention from the road to me. “And if I’m not mistaken, you don’t want to get involved with the family.”
“True, but I can’t live at your place for free.” My insides were twisted over seeing the Maxwells. But I wasn’t worried so much about the brothers as I was about their parents. Anyway, since Kade knew me, maybe he would hire me. “You know, I recall that when we first met, you didn’t want anything to do with the Maxwells because of the mob. What changed your mind?”
“Kade gave me the lowdown that the Maxwells are not involved with the mob or any of their business. And my gut tells me they’re good people.” After several more stoplights and turns, Dillon parked in the lot behind Rumors. “I’ll go in with you.”
“Afraid Kade and I might rumble?” I was having second thoughts as we walked up to the back door.
“You don’t have to work,” Dillon said. “Or are you here to confront your past?” The light breeze blew his shoulder-length hair over his eyes.
“Maybe I want to see what Kade thinks of me after all these years.” I believed Kelton didn’t blame Gracie or anyone in my family for what had happened. Deep down a small part of me wanted to see if Kade or any of the other Maxwells did.
Dillon pushed his hair out of his face. “Why do you care what Kade thinks?”
“Because I care about Kelton.” And Kelton was all about family. If his family didn’t welcome me, then a relationship between Kelton and me would never work. Oh my God. I was getting so far ahead of myself. I didn’t even know if Kelton wanted a relationship. Boy, that one kiss— slow, wet, tentative, and amazing—had screwed me up. “You’re right. Let’s go. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
I was headed back to the Camaro when I heard the click of the door.
“Dillon, man. What are you doing here? Kelton bothering you again?” a deep male voice asked.
“Nah, Kade,” Dillon replied.
I almost laughed that Dillon had told on Kelton. I should’ve thought about that angle. Yeah, that wouldn’t have prevented Kelton from finding me or talking to me. I pivoted and met a sparkling pair of copper eyes.
“Lizzie?” Kade kept his gaze riveted on me. “Is that you?”
Damn. I feigned a smile as I sized up a tall and broad-chested Maxwell.
Kade’s expression was soft. “I’m sorry to hear about the deaths in your family.”
Dillon cleared his throat. “Lizzie and I—”
“I came here because I heard you had a job opening,” I blurted out.
Kade rubbed a hand along his jaw. “Forgive me, but there are a ton of places in Boston to get a waitressing job. Why here?”
“It was a bad idea.” I glanced at Dillon. “I’ll walk to BU from here.” I needed to be alone for a while.