Page 16 of Before We Were Us

Steele.

Which is how I have him labeled in my phone.

You’ve managed to occupy all my thoughts. Makes it really hard to focus on solving crime.

I stare at his message, feeling excited and giddy. Two things I haven’t allowed myself to feel in regard to any man since Wes screwed me over so easily. I vowed to never be the girl that was to be made a fool again.

Me: I seem to be able to focus just fine.

Lies, it’s all lies.

Steele: You mean to tell me you aren’t sitting there picturing my eyes and mouth?

I instantly regret my comment about his eyes and mouth.

Me: And why on earth would I do that? Seems a bit strange.

I lean back in my chair with my phone in my hand, staring at the screen. Feeling light and playful, imagining him doing the same as he reads my message.

Steele: When can I see you again?

Me: Things are a bit hectic over the next week. Meetings, other obligations, I’m a busy woman.

There is a tap on my door and I look up just in time to see Taylor peek her head inside. “Lunch?”

“I could eat.” My stomach chooses that moment to growl.

“I’ll say.” She laughs. “Thai?”

“Meet you in five.” My phone vibrates in my hand and I look down. Seeing his name on my screen I can’t help but smile.

“Girl, you’ve already got it bad.”

“I do not,” I retort, doing my best to clear the happiness that is coursing through me.

“You do,” my best friend smiles back at me, “and it looks good on you.” She has seen me at my worst, and best. She has held my head up when I didn’t have the strength to do it myself and she’s wiped my tears on more than one occasion. She knows me, I think better than any other person, including myself.

“Tell the hot detective I said hi, and ask him if he’s got a spare pair of cuffs I can borrow. I really truly want to try that out.” With a wink she ducks out of my office and closes the door behind her.

It’s then I wake my phone to read the awaiting message.

Steele: I’d be happy with ten minutes.

Steele: Wait! That’s a lie, but I’ll take what I can get.

I take a deep breath, grabbing my purse and standing, still holding my phone unsure of how to respond. I know what I want to say, but what I should say wins out.

Me: I'll let you know if I can work something in.

Hitting send I toss my phone into my bag and exit my office for a lunch date with the one person that has never once disappointed me.

eleven

. . .

Jensen

“You’ve been ghosted.” Connor laughs, holding his beer sitting in the high chair across from me. “It’s been a week,” he adds, lifting another slice of pizza and bringing it to his mouth.

---