“Is that all?”
“We’ve butted heads a few times, but that won’t be an issue here. We’re professionals, and we’ll act accordingly.”
“See that you do. You can start by doing your damn job and sending the operative whatever he needs.”
“Of course, sir.” Asshole.
Yeah, it had been a fab first day.
With a sigh, she unlocked her front door, glad that it was over, and shouldered her way into her bungalow. Ugh. Why the hell was she despondent and weepy? Worried?
She’d love to blame hormones, but Nash was back in her life. He always wreaked havoc on her heart.
What she needed was some girl time to get her mind off him so she could focus on getting her shit in order. Her friends always helped her screw her head on straight.
But when she texted Madison, Matt answered, saying her bestie had a raging case of morning sickness that had lasted all day, so she’d taken her green, vomiting self to bed. She’d call tomorrow. Haisley wished her well, then DoorDashed her expectant friend some ginger ale and ice cream.
Next, she’d reached out to Charli…who had typed back that she couldn’t chat now because she and Daniel were talking. No elaboration, which seemed like code for the couple arguing. With a heavy heart, Haisley told her gal pal to call if she needed an ear.
Finally, she’d tried Gracelyn, who was a glass-half-full kind of girl and saw everything in a far happier light than Haisley’s cynical outlook. She finished dinner and half an episode of some real estate show on Netflix before her optimistic friend texted back that she was “hanging out” with Kane but could chat in the morning.
Yeah. No thanks. She didn’t want to talk to Gracelyn while the woman was cozied up in her lust bubble with one of Nash’s teammates. Talk about awkward.
She thanked her friend for getting back to her and promised to call soon.
But that left her little house too empty, too quiet. Even her feline housemate, Miss Priss, was crashed on the back of the sofa, tuning Haisley out. She felt lonely—and that was dangerous because she was so, so tempted to call Nash and beg him to come over. Hell, before he’d left her office, she’d almost hoped he would kiss her again. He’d certainly looked as if it had crossed his mind.
How the hell was she going to work with him indefinitely without giving into the undeniable pull between them?
Haisley had no idea, but she had to get her mind off Nash now—or she’d do something she would regret. As tempting as it was to invite him to fill her night, nothing good could come of it. Well, other than amazing, incendiary, blow-her-doors-off sex. But by morning, he would be crowding her space, demanding more of her body, and inadvertently prying open her heart.
No. Not happening.
Besides, her secret would always be between them. She didn’t dare give him the opportunity to worm it out of her. The truth wouldn’t do Nash any good, so why bother? Maintaining distance was the only way she could protect him.
Thank god she had CSI. Maybe she should check in on a few of the cases she’d been assisting with. Yeah, and if she was going to do that, why not see if JasperThePrivateDick had made any progress?
Haisley nuked a frozen dinner and poured herself a generous glass of wine, then settled onto her sofa with a recent playlist and her laptop. Two minutes later, she propped her feet on the coffee table and scarfed down her dinner with one hand while logging into CSI with the other. She opened her private chat with Jasper, somewhat surprised to see he was also online.
RedHotSavvySleuth: Hi, Jasper! How was your Monday?
JasperThePrivateDick: Hey, Red! It was a little crazy, but I feel good about my accomplishments. You?
RedHotSavvySleuth: It was crazy for me, too. I don’t know that I feel good about anything I accomplished, but I do have information to share.
JasperThePrivateDick: Same. But before we dive in, do you want to talk about whatever happened?
RedHotSavvySleuth: I appreciate the offer, but I just want to put it behind me and see if we can focus on helping these victims.
JasperThePrivateDick: I completely understand. And normally, I’d agree. But when my mind is full of heavy stuff, I find it really tough to concentrate. We might do these victims more good if we sift through whatever’s upsetting you first. I’m a willing ear…
RedHotSavvySleuth: That’s very sweet, but I doubt you want to hear my BS.
Besides, she barely knew this guy.
JasperThePrivateDick: Don’t assume. I’m rattling around this big house alone tonight, and all I can think about is my beloved. She’s been gone a couple of years, but I still miss her every day. Life has been so empty without her. So if I can focus on someone else’s problems and make any difference at all, you’d be doing me a favor.
His words hit her straight in the heart. OMG, had his wife left? Died? Haisley didn’t want to pry, but… Was Jasper sitting alone, missing the woman, despite the years since she’d gone? He must have loved her so much. His woes were none of her business, but losing a spouse or significant other made her own problems seem paltry by comparison.