Page 3 of Healing Hope

Jess laughed, making a face. “Okay, Mom, I’ll try to behave myself. Kids aren’t normally my thing, so I don’t think you have to worry about me settling in for too long.”

Carolina nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. This will be short-term placement until he can find someone more long term. This guy works crazy hours I guess, and he just needs some basic help.”

“I can help them out for a few weeks. I have a do or die appointment overseas next month, though.”

Laughing, Carolina shook her head. “Must be nice to have such a carefree lifestyle.”

Jess blinked, a little stung by her friend's words. She wasn’t sure why exactly. Pushing to her feet, she took the folder from Carolina. “When are they expecting me?”

“Not until this evening. I figured that would give you enough time to go home, do some laundry and re-pack.”

Jess sighed. “Yeah. I suspect I should do that.” She headed for the door, calling over her shoulder, “And don’t worry, no emotions when I sleep with him.”

“Jess-” Carolina growled.

A tall, dark-haired man stood in the reception area, one eyebrow cocked. Carolina muttered a curse under her breath, making Jess grin. Usually she was the only one that made Carolina curse like that, but it was obvious by the woman’s reaction she wasn’t happy that the man was here.

“Detective. What a nice surprise,” she said, voice clipped.

Jess glanced at her. She said the right words, but her voice was frosty. There was something in Carolina’s expression, though, that said she wasn’t completely mad to see the guy. Jess looked at the tall, delicious looking man.

“Detective, huh?” She stuck out a hand. “Jessamy Swan.”

The guy took her hand in a quick shake, then released her. “Detective Blackheart. Tell me, Ms. Swan, do you work here?”

Jess grinned. “Oh, sometimes. When my social life lets up, she occasionally finds me reputable work.”

“Reputable, huh? Are you leaving for a job now?”

She nodded, swinging her hair behind her shoulder. “I am.”

“And does that job involve sleeping with your client?”

“Detective!” Carolina gasped. “Jess, don’t answer that.”

Jess just looked up at the detective. He had glanced at Carolina, his eyes lit with something, and Jess realized that though his question might be work related, he was here because he was interested in Carolina. “Well, Detective,” she drawled, bringing his attention back to her. “What’s wrong with spicing up your work life with a little sex? As long as you don’t hurt anyone and go into it with your eyes open.”

He stared at her for a long moment before tipping his head toward her. “You know, that’s an interesting way to look at it, Ms. Swan. Thank you.”

With a last glance at Carolina, she headed out the door. She had laundry to do.

Carolina stared at Detective Blackheart. Holy hell, he couldn’t have arrived at a worse time. Jess’s darn mouth…

She refused to defend Jess, though. The woman knew what she was doing and if she wanted to sleep her way around the world, Carolina couldn’t say anything about it. Even though it made her uncomfortable sometimes.

“I think I agree with Ms. Swan,” the detective said gruffly. “If you can find some enjoyment in your job, why not?”

Fury surged through Carolina. “Now, listen here, Mr. Blackheart. If you’re inferring I should set you up with one of my contractors for a booty call, you haven’t been listening to me very well. We don’t do booty calls! No matter how much you want to believe I’m running some kind of high-priced call girl outfit, we don’t…”

He held up a hand, shaking his head. “I’m not inferring anything of the type. Although,” he said, scowling, “your anger will shade anything I ask you now.”

Carolina blinked at him, confused. “What?”

He parked his hands on his hips. “I was going to ask you out to dinner, but not now. Nothing I say will change that.”

She blinked, trying to catch up. Detective Blackheart took a step backward. “I’ll talk to you another day,” he murmured. “Goodbye, Carolina,” he said, before he left the office.

For a moment she just stood there, her mouth hanging open. She glanced around for Mel but didn’t see her. Had that whole situation actually just happened?

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