Give Murder A Hand: Lizzie. Book 2 (The Westport Mysteries) by Beth Prentice Page B

morning.”
    “Thanks, Tom. No classes today?” It was unusual for him to be here
today as it was normally a busy day of lectures. What he was studying, I had
never actually found out. Every time I asked, he gave me a really complicated
response, which I didn’t understand and I always felt too stupid to enquire any
further.
    “Nope, it’s study week.”
    “Then why aren’t you home studying?” I smiled.
    “Because I’d miss you then, wouldn’t I?” He laughed. See, that’s
why he’s my favorite barista. “The usual?” he asked, looking between Riley and
myself. We both nodded. “Take a seat then and I’ll bring it out to you.”
    We wandered back outside and found a table under an umbrella that
looked out over the river. The rain yesterday had stirred the water up so it
wasn’t the same aqua blue it usually was, but it was still gorgeous just the
same. I looked at Riley as he pulled his sunglasses down over his eyes. Today
he’d chosen to wear his usual jeans, but he’d accompanied it with a button down
shirt that he’d left open at the collar. The sleeves were rolled to his elbows
and accentuated his perfectly toned arms, his skin tanned against the white of
his shirt. His hair was slightly longer than normal and curled sexily at his
collar. The realization that he was all mine brought a smile to my face.
    He caught me staring and smiled his mega-watt smile. I pulled my
own sunglasses down, dazzled by it. Sure, I should be immune to it by now, but
it still caused my heart to flutter. He reached out and took my hand.
    “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice deep and sexy.
    “Yep, I will be.” I smiled, squeezing his hand. “Thanks for being
there for me today.”
    “Lizzie, I’ll always be there for you,” he said, leaning forward
and gently kissing my lips. I felt the happiness surge the second his skin
touched mine.
    “Get a room, you two,” laughed Tom, putting our coffee on the
table.
    “You’re just jealous because my boyfriend is totally gorgeous,” I
laughed.
    “I bet I make better coffee than him though.” That was true, but
Riley had other skills that a girl only dreamed about. Tom looked at my grin,
shook his head and walked away.

 
    * * *

 
    It turned out that my counselor was actually a
psychiatrist. Humph.
    I looked around the room as I sat nervously waiting for my turn. The
waiting room was small with only two chairs for patients to wait. Thankfully it
appeared that Riley and I were the only people here. The reception desk was
tall and made of bleached pine. It had a computer, a phone and a bunch of sunny
flowers on it. I suppose their purpose was to make us happy and maybe it did.
    The sign on the desk announced that Allison was presently with a
patient and to please take a seat. I’d done as asked. Riley appeared much more
relaxed as he flicked his way through a fishing magazine from the side table
between us. My leg jiggled as I waited.
    After what felt like an eternity, the door finally slid open and
out stepped Allison, a male patient following her. As he wiped at his tears,
anxiety gripped my stomach. Allison however, seemed relaxed and in control.
    Recognition flashed. I just couldn’t pinpoint where I’d seen her
before. She looked younger than me even though I knew she was about my age, with
straight blonde hair cut in a bob that fell just below her ears, showing off
her sparkling diamond stud earrings perfectly. Her make-up was subtle yet
immaculate, and accentuated her massive grey eyes. She dressed in designer
pants, a fitted button-up shirt and her shoes were genuine Jimmy Choo’s. I only
knew that because Molly had the exact same pair. The smell of Victor Rolf’s
Flowerbomb floated towards me. I felt my earlier insecurity kick up a notch. When
she finished showing the man to the door, she turned her attention to us, and
her smile widened.
    “Oh my gosh,” she said, her white teeth flashing against the black
of her shirt. “Riley Thomas!”
    I looked