Page 57 of Deep Tide

She rolled her eyes.

“Okay, maybe I have. But it’s not about you,” he said.

“Then what is it about?”

“Well, maybe it is about you, but I’m not pissed at you. I’m pissed at Brady.”

“Why?”

“Because. I’ve been busting my ass in this job three years longer than you have, and with Owen and Joel sidelined this should have been my case to lead. I earned it.”

“Well, don’t take your frustration out on me. I didn’t tell him who to put in charge of this thing.”

“Sorry.” He frowned. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“I don’t need it. I’ve got enough crap to deal with.”

“I said I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a dick.”

“You have.”

He sighed. “Don’t you even know how to accept an apology?”

She just looked at him. She’d never been particularly good at letting go of things.

She cleared her throat. “Thank you for apologizing for being a dick.”

He shook his head and walked away.

•••

Leyla shielded her eyes from the sun as she watched the man atop the ladder.

“Can you go a touch higher?” she called out. “I want to make sure we cover the entire parking lot.”

“It’s covered,” he said.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Siena stepped through the back door of the coffee shop. “There you are. I couldn’t figure out where you’d gone.” She glanced at the workman on the ladder and did a double take. The guy was tall and muscular and had a leather tool belt slung around his waist.

“Oh my Lord,” Siena murmured as she sidled up beside Leyla. “Why didn’t you come get me?”

“For what?”

Siena gave her a get real look.

Leyla smiled. “I thought you were in a relationship?”

“Oh, please. And speaking of hotties, your brother just showed up.”

As if on cue, Owen stepped outside. He glanced at the ladder as he walked over to join them. “What’s all this?”

“Our new security system,” Leyla said.

He stopped beside her and rested his hands on his hips. He wore his typical Lost Beach PD golf shirt, brown tactical pants, and all-terrain boots, which told her he was on duty right now.

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