Code of Silence by Heather Woodhaven Page A

or...uh...boyfriend?” The question slipped out before he could stop himself. Luke grabbed another granola bar. Who was stress eating now?
    â€œNo. Sad, right? I’m a strong introvert, you know.”
    He grinned. “I remember. It always struck me funny how you knew you wanted to teach—standing in front of all those students—yet hated to go out to big events.”
    She shrugged. “It’s the introvert’s way. Teaching or speaking is totally different than interacting with other people...especially strangers.” She broke off another hunk of the granola bar with her fingers. “What about you? An extrovert like yourself should have lots of people expecting you.”
    He could see the anticipation in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, not expecting she’d volley the question back at him. Too bad his answer would only disappoint her. “I had a chili cook-off at the church I planned to attend, but no one is going to blink if I don’t show up.”
    She leaned forward, her mouth parted, her eyes wide. “What about your receptionist? Won’t she expect you to check back in?”
    He groaned. “She’s a temp. So no, I told her to leave as soon as she was done...as I imagine she did quite a while ago.”
    â€œDrives me crazy we don’t have any way to judge what time it is.” Gabriella jumped up to standing and paced back and forth. “I wish he’d stop drilling. I can’t think straight knowing he’s so determined.” She halted her step. “No girlfriend?”
    He fought to keep a smile off his face. “No.”
    She shrugged nonchalantly. “Have you, uh...dated since you and Rose broke up?” She scrunched up her nose. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said her name like that.”
    â€œBecause she hurt you,” he said. Rose had stolen her fiancé, and it’s what Gabriella would remember every time she set her eyes on Luke. He should’ve known.
    â€œAnd you .”
    â€œYes, but it’s been a long time. It stung a lot, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. I’m pretty sure they got married and divorced soon after.”
    â€œCheaters never win,” she muttered.
    He raised an eyebrow. “But I think Thad remarried soon after.”
    She cocked her head and shook her hand in the air. “I don’t care. I wouldn’t be interested in him anyway. I’m just thankful I saw his true colors before I sent out wedding invitations.”
    Luke hated how relieved that little statement made him feel.
    Gabriella resumed her pacing. “What about your family? You have like a ton of brothers, right?”
    Luke gulped. For a split second, he thought she was thinking about marrying one of his brothers. Why did women change subjects so fast? She no doubt was referring to who would notice he was missing. “Yeah, but none of them live around here. They’re all in California and Oregon. I’ve been trying to talk Matt into moving here once he’s done with school.”
    He held out his palms. He could tell he’d disappointed her. “I’m afraid no one is going to be looking for me.” The words hit him in the gut. It was true. No one would notice. In college he’d been all about developing close friendships, but ever since he started his own business, he felt he had something to prove. Work was his highest priority.
    Home was his office. He slept in whatever furnished, model home was most current in order to be close to the subdivision process. He needed to make sure they stayed on schedule and supervise the foreman, which triggered a memory. “Believe it or not, my brother David and my sister-in-law, Aria, faced the mafia last year. The Russian mafia, in fact.” He shook his head. “Wish we could call him now.”
    Gabriella’s mouth dropped. “How’d they fare?”
    He almost bragged on his brother’s ingenuity