Page 13 of Alistair

“Thank you.” The cool breeze from the bayou blew across the porch, pushing strands of hair across her face. Sor swallowed, staring at the seemingly innocuous event. It was having a profound effect on him.

“I love this cooler weather,” she smiled. “I can definitely see why you love this place. It’s beautiful and peaceful. Quiet. I’ve been getting some great work done out here. I recently did the auction magazine for the art show, the one that several of your team were involved with.”

“Oh, yes,” he nodded. “We’ve got some very talented people on our team.”

“You definitely do,” she grinned. “How are you, Sor? I mean, how are you really with everything that happened between our exes?”

“Surprisingly, I’m good with it, Nell. Can I call you Nell?”

“Yes,” she laughed. “I don’t think anyone ever has, but it sounds nice coming from you. My real name is Helen, but my parents always called me Nelly.”

“I like Nell. It seems to suit you. Anyway, as I said, I’m good with it. We were drifting apart anyway. I wanted to have a family, and she didn’t. I suspected that she was seeing someone while I was gone on my last deployment. I never suspected it would be your husband.”

“Ex. I mean, late. I mean, ex-late husband?” she grinned. “Anyway, I know what you mean. I knew that he was doing something. He’d say he was showing houses but would come home in his golf gear. I wouldn’t have thought anything of that except that he wasn’t even sweaty. How do you golf in south Louisiana and not get sweaty?”

“I don’t know,” he grinned. “I’m not a golf guy. I’m more of a baseball, football guy.”

“I can see that,” she smiled. “You’re built for power.”

“Thank you. I think.”

“Oh, it was definitely a compliment. I mean, I wasn’t staring at your physique or anything. I just noticed. I mean, I didn’t notice. Oh, hell. I’m screwing this up.”

“You’re not screwing anything up, Nell,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I think you’re beautiful and talented, and I’d love to get to know you better. I’ve just been waiting to give you time to get over everything that happened.”

“I’m over it, Sor. Really, I am. I’d like to get to know you as well.” He took a big swig of the iced tea and nodded at her.

“Well, we’re working on a case right now that might have me gone for a few days. Are you okay with that?” She cocked her head, staring at him. “I guess what I’m asking is, are you okay with a man that might be gone a few days now and then.”

“I’m okay with that when I trust the man,” she smiled. “I don’t know why, Sor, but I trust you more than any man I’ve ever met in my entire life.” He popped the last of the lemon bar in his mouth and stood.

“Well, then. I’ll be back in a few days and maybe we could do lunch or dinner?”

“I think that sounds perfect,” she said, taking a step toward him. He looked down at her, pushing those stray strands of hair behind her ears. He gently cupped her jaw and touched her sweet lips lightly, softly.

“Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

CHAPTER NINE

“Hey, is everything okay with Nelly?” asked Luke.

“Nell. Yes. Everything is great,” smiled Sor.

“Is it now?” smirked Eric. “Tell us more.”

“Nothing to tell. Not yet, anyway. I’d just appreciate everyone checking in on her while I’m gone. She’s, she’s special.”

“She is indeed,” said Ajei. “I went over there last week to bring some things from Mama Irene. Did you know she’s been taking on pro-bono work for a bunch of local charities? She had no clue that one of them was our charity. She reached out and wanted to do some work to help improve the webpage for our boys’ and girls’ homes.”

“It doesn’t surprise me at all,” smiled Sor. “I’ll never understand why her ex was such an asshole, but I thank him for leaving her for me.”

“Oh, do tell,” smirked Cam.

“Shut the fuck up,” laughed Sor. “It’s too early to tell. She’s just…”

“Special?” chimed the three men and Ajei.

Sor flipped them the bird and walked into the auditorium. He took his seat next to Garr and waited for the meeting to begin. He couldn’t get the smile off his face as the others just stared at him.

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