Cryptic Clues

MARISSA

Denise pushed out her chair, standing and giving Annie a hug goodbye. “I should get going, too. I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”

Layton followed her out after saying goodbye to both Annie and Denise, but he paused when we got to the porch. Denise drove away and he took my hand, holding it gently. “Thanks for supper. That was really fun.”

“Despite the world’s most comprehensive game of twenty questions?” I asked jokingly.

He nodded. “It felt a little like giving an interview for an autobiography I didn’t know was being written, but that’s fine. I like that she’s so protective over the two of you.”

“She’s been an angel in our lives.” I agreed, seeing an opening to ask him my burning question, even if I was unsure about whether I should pile on any more tonight. “Can I ask you one question of my own?”

“Sure,” he said wearily. I held onto his hand tighter, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles. “What’s one more question?”

My lips quirked up into a smile. “You’ve answered so