Too Many Secrets

EIGHT

Brittany leaned against the kitchen counter as she waited for her toast to pop up in the toaster. Yawning, she drummed her fingernails on the counter. She hadn't slept very well last night, and Austin had everything to do with it. She growled. That man disturbs her in her sleep just as much as he does when she's awake.

A hard knock came on the door, and she jumped. Who could be visiting in the morning? It must be someone who didn't know she worked for a living.

She moved to the door and looked through the peephole. The face on the other side surprised her. What was Kurt doing here? Curious, she hurried and opened the door. Her partner smiled at her.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," she replied hesitantly.

"I'm glad you're not still in bed." He walked into her apartment and she shut the door.

"You should know me by now. I'm an early bird."

He chuckled. "That's true, you are. It usually takes me two cups of Joe before I'm awake."

"Would you like me to make you some?" Kurt knew she didn't drink coffee, but her father did, as well as some of her friends, so she always had ground beans and a coffee maker on hand for when the occasion called for it.

"No, I'm good. I've already had some this morning. I needed to think on my way here."

"Kurt? Why are you here?"

He laughed loudly. "You act as if I don't ever come to your apartment."

"Kurt, you don't usually come in the morning."

He shrugged. "I thought we should discuss our plan for contacting Mr. Reeder today."

Inwardly, she groaned. Wasn't it enough that she hadn't been able to get him off her mind since meeting him? Why did Kurt have to bring attention to the playboy when she wanted him out of her mind?

"Do we have to discuss it?" She rubbed the dull ache quickly forming in her forehead. She moved into the living room before plopping down on the loveseat.

Kurt joined her on the sofa and tapped his hand against her knee. "Yes. It's necessary to talk this out. We can't allow our plans to become messed up."

"I understand." She nodded, taking in a deep breath. "So how do you think I should meet him?"

"I was thinking," Kurt sat back against the sofa and draped his arm behind Brittany, "that because you left so abruptly during your first meeting, you should return to his hotel, and—"

"Bad idea!" She shook her head as her heart pounded frantically. "I was quite insulted that he thought I was a call girl, and I don't think—"

"But you need to earn his trust," he cut in. "You won't be able to earn his trust if you happen to run into him on the street and strike up a conversation, you know."

Brittany gnashed her teeth. She hated when he was right. His hazel gaze stayed on her for a few awkward silent moments. It was almost as if he waited for her to agree with him. She blew out a rushed breath. "Fine. I'll go to his hotel, but what will my excuse be for seeing him again?"

Kurt's energetic smile widened. "Oh, you're going to like this one." He winked. "You're going to tell him you think you left your purse there."

"Nope. It won't work. He knows I had it with me. I never put it down since it had my glock and badge in it."

Kurt muttered a cuss. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure. He was trying to stop me, remember?"

"Hmm..." he rubbed his trimmed goatee. "Maybe you could say you had come back to get paid—"

Gasping, she slugged him in the arm. "You've got to be kidding! I'm not going to do that. Not after the way I ran out of there as if the devil was nipping at my heels."

He groaned and rested his head back against the couch. When he closed his eyes, silence stretched between them. She couldn't stop from running her gaze over him. From the first day she'd met him, she thought he was one good looking man, but even back then, she knew not to judge a person by their appearance. However, the more she got to know him, the more she liked him. Kurt was easy to like. He entertained everyone in the precinct, especially her. For a few months, she thought she was developing a crush on him. She fought it as hard as she could. It wasn't a good idea to date a co-worker. Then, when they became partners, she definitely knew she needed to start thinking differently about him. So, he was like a brother to her...at least that's what she tried to believe.

"So what other excuse could you use?" Kurt asked, lifting his head and looking at her. "I really don't see any other way to meet him again...unless we go as ourselves, and you know he's not going to be truthful with a cop."

Brittany mentally shook away her thoughts of the past and focused once more on their conversation. "He won't be truthful with me, then. He'll say I purposely tricked him because I was wearing that dress."

Chuckling, Kurt ruffled her hair. "You did look sexy."

"Knock it off," she slapped his hand away. Heat started climbing up her neck, making its way to her face, but she tried breathing normally and not getting too excited by his comment so that the blush wouldn't reach her cheeks.

His gaze locked with hers as his laughing subsided. She didn't want to read too much into this moment, but...why were his hazel eyes softening? Even the lines in his face weren't as dominant.

A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard. She prayed he didn't have feelings for her. A relationship with her partner was not a good thing!

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and his smile grew. He straightened. "I think I have the answer."

What answer was he talking about? Her mind quickly replayed their conversation. Oh, yeah. They were back on Austin Reeder. "It had better be good."

"You are going to return to his hotel to tell him that you were sorry for the way you acted the other day."

She arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me? You want me to do what?"

"Just listen to me."

He took her hand in his and gently rubbed her fingers. Now she knew he was going to tell her something she wouldn't like.

"You're going to explain to Austin Reeder," Kurt continued, "how sorry you were for acting that way. Let him know you don't usually do...um, that, but you desperately need the money."

Anger built inside of her again, and she tried to take her hand away, but he gripped onto it harder, making it impossible for her to release. "Kurt Hamill..." She usually only used his full name when she was upset.

"Listen to me before you interrupt." He smiled sweetly. "As I was saying, the reason you're doing this is to make him think you're new at this...um, kind of thing. That would explain why you acted the way you did the other day. He, of course, will have sympathy for you, and allow you to apologize."

When he paused, she quickly spoke before he could go on. "And why exactly would I be desperate for money?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "Make up a story. Maybe you are looking for work, but can't find a job. Maybe your father is sick and dying, and you need the money to pay for his medical expenses."

Thankfully, Brittany's mind was working better now. "Okay, so tell me, oh master of all knowledge, how would I have known to go to Austin Reeder?"

Slowly, Kurt shook his head, but he still wore his cocky grin. "Because of Hillary Banks. You tell Austin Reeder that Hillary recommended him as the man who could help you."

Brittany gradually processed this information, and after a few awkward, silent seconds, she realized she couldn't think of anything to argue about. Perhaps Kurt's idea would work after all, and maybe...she'd finally get some answers out of the good looking womanizer.