Free The Matchmakers by Jennifer Colgan Page B

lookout and you ´ `No.´ He
took her arm at the elbow and pulled her away from Diane’s car. `This is
unbelievable. I’m not going to help you do this. What happened to the idea
about locking them in the storeroom? Not that it’s a better idea, but I thought
that was your big plan.Śhe gave a long-suffering sigh. `You’re right about
cell phones and besides, an arthritic pixie could break down that door. They’d
be out in no time.Śhe shook her head in disgust, and it was Nick’s turn to
sigh. The crunch of gravel caught his attention again, and he slid his gaze
over his right shoulder, careful not to move too quickly. A black and white
patrol car was just turning into the parking lot, hitting one of the PD’s
regular stops on their Friday night beat. Instinctively, Nick shielded Callie
from the arc of brilliant headlights as the patrol car made a lazy circle around
the lot and eased back onto the road. Thanks to the dumpster fire, Farley had
arranged to have regular drive bys on the weekends. `What if that cop had seen
you crawling around by the tires?´ When he turned around, Nick’s demand fell on
empty air, but Callie’s cheerful voice reached him through the ether.
      `Seen what?´ `Fine. Fine. Are we
done here? I mean, are you done
here?Śhe reappeared. `Yes.´ `Then let’s go.´ `Go where?´ `Home.´ `Your
place?´ Her hopeful tone made his last drink settle in the pit of his stomach
like a rock. `How about your place?´ `I don’t actually have a place. Being
temporarily banished and all.Śhe looked downcast for a moment. `So where
do you go when you µpop’?´ `Somewhere else.´ `Where else?´ `Anywhere. Sometimes
I just turn invisible, but I’m still around. Like today at the construction
site.´ Nick raised his eyes heavenward. He didn’t like the direction the
conversation was taking. `You mean you don’t have an apartment or anything?´ `Nope.
I don’t usually need one.´ `Where do you sleep?Śhe shrugged. `I don’t.
Usually. Contrary to popular belief, faeries don’t spend all their time
lounging around in flowerbeds and napping on toadstools you know. We’re usually
too busy to sleep.´ `Right. Where did you go last night?´ Why did he ask when
he didn’t want to know the answer? `Your place. After you fell asleep. I
watched the Food Channel most of the night.Śhe began ticking off titles on
her fingers. `The History of Garlic, The Idaho Potato Festival, Great Chefs of
the Ukraine«´ `You spent the night on my couch?´ `I’m not allowed back in the
Faerie realm until I’ve finished my task. What? You have that look again.´ `What
look?´ He tried not to glare but found it damn near impossible. `Like you have
something caught in your throat. Your eyes are bugging out a little.´ Nick
chewed the inside of his cheek in an effort to stay calm. It felt more like his
throat was caught in something, like a noose. A small, sarcastic part of his
brain suggested taking her back to his place, but his more logical self
recognized the inherent badness of that idea. At the very least, it wouldn’t
look good on the police report. Yes,
Officer, I invited her to stay with
me   despite my overwhelming suspicion that she was completely insane . `Come
on,´ he said, whirling around toward the driver’s side of his truck. She clapped
her hands and hurried to the passenger door. `Great! Now we can brainstorm all
night.Ćhapter Nine Nick said little as they pulled out of Farley’s parking
lot and headed back into town. He kept his eyes on the road and tapped his
fingers impatiently on the steering wheel at every red light. `Okay, maybe not
all night,Ćallie offered after ten miles of awkward silence. He hadn’t
even turned on the radio this time. When he didn’t respond, she peered sidelong
at him. `I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I stayed at your place last night. I
promise I didn’t snoop around.´ `No problem,´ he said finally. The set of his
jaw said otherwise. A muscle twitched just below his