Page 31 of Wicked and Ruthless

Despite her tears, Charli smiled fondly. “Of course you’d join a group like that. You always had a knack for putting together puzzles and solving mysteries.”

“It’s a lot of fun, and it will definitely help to occupy your thoughts. And you’ll make some cool new friends…”

“I already have cool friends. You, Gracelyn, and Madison are the best.”

“Naturally.” Grinning, Haisley sent her an exaggerated hair flip. “But seriously. Join us for an evening. I just jumped onto a new case. It’s local, which makes it even juicier.”

“I don’t know. With everything going on with Daniel…”

“That’s exactly why you should join. He has purpose. Since you’re not married to your job, you should find one, too.” So she wouldn’t have to focus on her sadness so much. “Then maybe you’ll find some balance. And if you don’t”—she gave Charli’s hand a reassuring squeeze—“solving crimes with me will be fun.”

“I’ll think about it. Have you made new friends in the group?”

“Tons. The guy who runs it is a retired cop from Vegas. Super interesting. The moderators either have law enforcement, legal, or military background. The members are all super smart. And the group is growing. In fact, a new guy just joined yesterday. Jasper is the one who talked me into helping him with the case happening right here in Lafayette. Something about young women disappearing from the new outlet mall up the road?”

“Interesting.” Charli arched a brow. “Is Jasper cute?”

“I don’t know. It’s an online group.”

Charli waved a dismissive hand. “Details. Was he flirty?”

“More friendly than flirty, but that’s the way I want it. I’m steering clear of romance.”

“Maybe you should flirt with him. Jasper might be just what you need to get over Nash once and for all.”

“I wish.” Haisley wasn’t convinced that was possible.

Before she’d left LA, she’d been so certain she was finally over that man. But after one amazing, toe-curling New Year’s Eve kiss, he’d destroyed that hope.

Charli’s expression softened. “You deserve happiness. And who knows, maybe your online mystery guy will help you find some.”

“Maybe.” Haisley shrugged. “Or maybe there’s no such thing as happily ever after, at least for someone like me.”

“Someone like you? You mean someone awesome? You’re more lovable than you know. The right guy will come along.”

“Sure.” She told Charli what she wanted to hear. “Now, tell me all the gossip around town I’ve missed…”

As their conversation drifted to lighter topics, Haisley fought encroaching sadness.

No man had ever gotten to her the way Nash did. She didn’t think another ever would. Living almost two thousand miles from him had been painful enough. Living around the corner from him, so to speak, was bound to be agony. What would happen when he finally lost interest in her and focused on someone else? What if, heaven forbid, he got married, and she had to see the happy couple around town?

It would crush her.

Why hadn’t she seen heartbreak coming when she’d started hardcore flirting back with him all those months ago? Why hadn’t she foreseen how totally falling for him would break her heart?

CHAPTER SEVEN

On Sunday afternoon, Nash stretched out on his battered leather couch, nursing a cold beer as the Packers-Vikings game flickered across his TV screen. Despite the fact nearly forty-eight hours had passed since New Year’s Eve, his thoughts kept drifting back to the scorching kiss he’d laid on Haisley. Even mass amounts of tequila couldn’t dim the memory of her soft curves molded against his body, those sinful lips under his as he devoured her for the first time in two agonizing years.

His blood ran hot, despite the lingering chill of the winter morning. Then again, the gorgeous redhead had always set him on fire. From the moment he’d met her, Haisley’s saucy aloofness had ignited him. During their year together, his instant and burning need to give her pleasure had become a never-ending urge to make her his.

The shrill ring of his cellphone shattered his reverie. Nash frowned at the familiar number flashing across the display and braced himself. “Hey, boss. Happy New Year.”

“Yep. Same to you.” Hunter Edgington was a former SEAL, and, as usual, the man’s gruff tone signaled that he had no patience for pleasantries. “We’ve got a new job, and you’re up.”

So much for a lazy afternoon indulging in fantasies about Haisley naked in his bed as his lips blazed kisses across her skin, down to focus on her sweet, dripping pussy. Nash sat up straighter. “What’s the op?”

“Heard anything about young women going missing from that new mall?”

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