Page 54 of In Dangerous Water

Skye grinned. “I thought it was appropriate in more ways than one.”

Charlie didn’t smile. Instead, he looked her over slowly. My sister’s dress had a black velvet tank style top that was cinched in at the waist with a silver ribbon. The skirt of the dress was long, slightly poufy, and featured horror-style white ghostly faces that had been screen printed over the crinkly black fabric.

“Appropriate as in phantoms for Halloween?” Charlie asked.

“I do a paranormal pod cast,” Skye explained.

“Oh. Haunted houses and so forth?” he asked.

“Yes,” Skye said easily.

“That tracks,” Charlie said, not taking his eyes from my sister’s face.

Skye lifted her brows. “Does the paranormal make you uncomfortable Mr. Smythe?”

“Not at all,” he said easily.

There was some tension in the air between the two of them, I noticed. Also, Charlie had yet to release my sister’s hand.

“Dance with me,” he said to Skye.

Skye tipped her head to one side. “Aren’t you on duty?”

“I’m on break,” he said.

“In that case…” Skye slipped her free hand into the crook of his opposite arm. Before I could blink, the two of them were headed toward the dance floor.

“Well,” I said to Tim as I went back to the table. “That was a slick move.”

Tim held my chair out for me. “I think your sister may have finally met someone shecan’tbulldoze.”

“He’s ex-military,” I asked Tim as I sat, “isn’t he?”

“Charlie was a SEAL.” Tim nodded. “How’d you know?”

“It’s his energy,” I said. “The way he carries himself.” My eyes were drawn to Charlie and Skye as they danced. There was a socially acceptable distance between the two of them as they slow-danced, but the longer I watched the more energy and tension I saw swirling around them. It was quite different than the loved-up vibes coming from Brynn and Austin.

Tim pressed a gentle kiss to my hair. “I’m relieved that it’s been quiet so far tonight.”

I leaned into him a bit more. “Makes me wonder if I overestimated the stalker,” I whispered. “I thought for sure she would be watching—”

I stopped speaking when another couple walked over. The woman was a dispatcher and worked at the sheriff’s department with Tim. I smiled politely as introductions were made, but when the couple sat at our table and proceeded to chat, I excused myself.

“Be right back,” I said to Tim.

He started to stand. “I’ll go with you.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I’m going to the ladies’ room.” I saw Gabriella walking close by and I hailed her. “I won’t go alone.”

“Hey Cordelia!” Gabriella walked over and gave me a hug. “Love the sexy Sea Siren outfit! Are you enjoying the ball?”

“I am,” I said easily. “I was going to go and powder my nose.”

“I’ll go with you,” she said smoothly. “I want to freshen up my lipstick.”

Tim nodded, and I tossed him a wink.

Stay on guard. He mouthed the words, and I nodded in reply.

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