Slaying the Dragon (Deception Duet #2) by T. K. Leigh

to think about what Jenna’s experiments were costing, I made my way through the industrial kitchen, line cooks busy preparing orders for our customers.
    The restaurant had been more successful than I could have imagined. Our business plan filled a gap in dining on the island. Instead of simply opening another seafood restaurant because of our proximity to the ocean and fresh fisheries, we strayed from the norm and certainly reaped the benefits. Although the restaurant was packed with a line out the door most nights, we were still in the red, trying to finally make back the substantial amount of money we had put into this place before it opened. After paying the loan, the lease, our staff’s salaries, and other overhead, there wasn’t much left. I desperately wanted to pay off that loan so Jenna and I could finally start making some money off our dream.
    I climbed the stairs and unlocked my office, making my way through the somewhat cluttered space to my desk. It wasn’t untidy, but the small area was congested with my desk and loveseat.
    I pulled my laptop out and began searching news reports for any more information on the murders of which Charlie was accused. I wanted to believe the story he told me last night, but a nagging voice was reminding me of Charlie’s background and the fact he was trained to get people to believe what he wanted them to. Was he just a pawn in a bigger scheme? Or was he simply saying that to get me to fall into his trap again? The more I learned about Charlie and his past, the more confused I was. I wondered whether I would have this problem had Charlie been honest with me from the beginning. His deceitfulness was always in the back of my mind, reminding me I couldn’t put all my faith in his words.
    My thoughts wandered to Colleen’s visit earlier this morning, her words echoing in my mind, beseeching me to give Tyler another chance. How could I possibly forgive a man who had betrayed me? How could I ever trust him when I would always be wondering whether his words were true?
    I slammed my laptop closed, groaning. For the past several months, I had been fighting to do everything to forget about Tyler. But a small part of me wanted him to come back, to be near me once more, to promise me everything would be okay…that we would be okay.
    I buried my head on my desk, the cool metal of my laptop comforting against my forehead. I was frustrated, uncertain, and confused. I wished I could just write Tyler off. I considered whether I’d be able to do just that had I not gotten pregnant by him. Would I still think about him as much as I did? I knew I would. My pregnancy had nothing to do with it. My heart belonged to him and I needed to get it back. If I didn’t, I’d never truly be able to move on like I needed to.
    “Mack? You okay?” Jenna’s soft voice cut through my thoughts and I raised my head to see her standing in the doorway.
    “Just thinking.”
    “About what?” she asked, walking into my office and sitting down on the loveseat, her face eager.
    “Just stuff,” I said, trying to shrug her off. “It’s been a busy morning. And I didn’t really sleep well last night…”
    “After seeing that newscast about Charlie?” She lowered her voice.
    “Yeah, but I don’t want to talk about any of that. How’s everything going with you?”
    She bit her lip, almost considering whether to continue our conversation. Her normally jubilant and carefree attitude faded, replaced with an uneasy aura. I knew I needed to be the same kind of friend to her she had been to me for the past eight years. As much as I wanted to tell her about Colleen’s visit and ask her advice on whether I could ever forgive Tyler, I knew Jenna needed to get something off her chest.
    “What is it, Jenna? You can tell me.” I got up from behind my desk and sat beside her on the loveseat.
    She studied me for a brief moment before sighing, leaning back. “It’s probably nothing, but I can’t stop thinking