Page 77 of Finding Our Reality

I step in front of her, forcing her to stop. I reach out and wrap my fingers around her waist, tugging her closer to me. I choose to ignore her stiffening spine and straight shoulders. “I thought we could talk, grab some dinner. We haven’t had any time alone since last Friday night.”

“You mean since you kissed me?”

I’m not really liking this look in her eyes. Not one damn bit. Ella’s fighting My Lulu, the war clearly visible across her face. “Since Inearlykissed you. Because trust me, that was not the kiss I was hoping for. I had so much more in store.”

She takes a step back, forcing my hands to fall from her body. Despite the lift to her chin, her voice trembles. It’s not noticeable to the untrained person, but I’m well-trained and well-versed in all things Lulu. “It was just a kiss, Ry. Nothing more. There’s no point in trying to read between the lines.” She sidesteps me. “I think it’s best if we just focus on our job—finding out what happened to my sister. You haven’t forgotten about Carrie, have you?”

I grab her arm, not allowing her to escape. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you serious right now?”

Her eyes flare.

Before she can respond with her fire and brimstone, my cell phone rings. I grab it with my free hand, barking into it.

It’s Colson. “Hey, Crutch, don’t forget about our meeting. Marcum wants to talk with everyone before we go home for the night. Are you back from the interview yet?”

“Yeah. I’ll be inside in just a second.”

Hanging up, I invade Lulu’s personal space, being careful not to hurt her arm or pull too hard. “Now, you plan on telling me what has you so damn fired up?”

“No.” Her hot breath tickles my face.

“Well, I suggest you quickly modify your plans, then.”

Grunting, she wriggles from my grasp.

I let her go. But it won’t be for long. Because I’m never letting her go again.

Turning on my heels, I head into the station.

***

“So, what did you do this time?” Cullen opens a beer, setting it in front of me.

“What makes you say that?”

He leans against the bar, lifting his eyebrows.

Chuckling, I down half my beer. “Point taken. But hell if I know what I did.”

“Well, it must’ve been something big.”

His voice has a tone to it that I don’t like. Serious. Worried. “Why? What’s happened?” Turning on my barstool, I rake my eyes across the crowd, searching for Lulu.

Will’s voice catches me off guard. “She’s drinking.”

“You mean she’sholdinga Long Island Iced Tea.”

“No, I mean, she’sdrinkinga Long Island Iced Tea. Swallowing it, drinking it, consuming it.”

I slam my hands against the bar. “You’re letting her drink?!”

Will throws his hands in the air. “Letting her? Have you met Ella? And by the way, she’s a thirty-year-old-woman. I’ve had Cullen diluting them since the day she first ordered one, just preparing for the time she actually decided to drink.”

“How many has she had?”

Cullen serves another customer beside me. “Just one. Well, she was nearly done with it when I last checked on her. She knows we limit customers to two Long Islands, so maybe she won’t ask for another one.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Why the hell did she pick that drink anyway? It’s like a fourteen-year-old trying to get drunk at their aunt’s third wedding.”

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