Free Countdown by Heather Woodhaven

defensive. “And my friends...well, I think of my colleagues as friends, but really I don’t know anyone well enough that I’d feel comfortable crashing at their house.”
    James turned his eyes onto the microwave. “Really? That’s surprising.”
    She tilted her head. The tone of disbelief bothered her, but she wasn’t sure why.
    â€œYou seem like the type to have lots of friends,” he said.
    Did she? A roster of names instantly came to mind. She enjoyed attending movies, parties, concerts and church with them, but she never called them when she was upset or when she needed something. She furrowed her brow. Did that mean they were all shallow friendships?
    â€œI think Derrick is going to give us two options,” James said. “We’ll each get a protection detail, or he’ll send us to a safe house. I’m hoping for the first option so you have a chance to go somewhere you feel comfortable.”
    His words made sense, but something about the way he was attacking the situation bothered her. Her breathing sped up, but she couldn’t put a finger on what bothered her about it. “Like I said, I moved here a year ago. I’m not comfortable calling anyone for something like this,” she answered. “I wouldn’t want to put them in danger.”
    Her leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I can understand that. What about a hotel? Think a hotel would let me prepay without a credit card?”
    She didn’t need to owe him any favors so letting him pay for the hotel was not an option. Except, the last thing she needed was to be spending money not in her budget. “My first choice would be my salon,” she said. “I have a couch, computer and minifridge in my office. Everything a girl could need. Plus, it’s in a well-lit area of town. If they assign me protection, I’d be fine there.”
    â€œReally?” He narrowed his eyes. “But is your name associated with the salon? That’d be like a neon target.”
    â€œNo. It’s associated with a limited liability company. So...I think it’s safe. Besides,” she finally said, “the building I’m leasing has an alarm system, and there’s a twenty-four-hour dry cleaner right next to me. I think I’d be okay.”
    â€œYou’re not taking in account the power of an internet search. I could easily find out you set up the LLC. Your name has to be out there to build your clientele.” He inhaled deeply, pressing his shoulders back. “We’ll have to find another solution,” he said.
    She opened her mouth to argue that most people weren’t him, but he probably knew better the type of men they were up against so she nodded, hoping that put his personal questions at rest.
    He pulled out their food. “So absolutely no family?”
    Rachel’s shoulders sagged. She should’ve known he wouldn’t let it go. James was an analytical, efficient guy that never started anything he didn’t intend to finish...which reminded her. “Hey, why did you leave me high and dry this week?”
    His chin pulled back, as if surprised by the question.
    â€œWhen you went to church without me,” she clarified.
    â€œOh...that.” He split the heated calzones onto two plates. “People thought we were dating.”
    Heat flooded her cheeks. “What?”
    * * *
    James placed a calzone straight into his mouth—partly to buy himself some time to collect his thoughts—and he couldn’t wait any longer to eat something. The sauce was unfortunately at molten-lava temperature. He opened his mouth. “Hot.”
    His pain didn’t dissuade Rachel. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure you knew that would burn your mouth. Bad stall technique. Back to the dating?” Her hands were on her hips, her blue eyes wide and the chestnut hair from her ponytail draped lazily over her left shoulder.
    He shrugged.