Page 28 of Love Under Protection

“Ready to swim?” The animal care specialist assigned to us asks once we've gotten well acquainted with our finned friend.

Raylynn’s eyes light up even more, and she gives an excited nod.

We’re given instructions on what to do and set free in the swimming area with Lola, who seems to be enjoying our company. At the end of our session, the dolphin trainer tells us to take hold of her fin and Lola brings us back to the edge where we each get a chance to pose for a picture with the dolphin.

I never considered swimming with dolphins. After today, I'm damn sure glad I did.

* * *

I thoughtfor sure that by the end of this trip, I’d be itching to get back home. Back to the hustle and bustle of New York City and catching up on whatever has been happening on the case I was working on before I left. Yet, here I am, roughly thirteen hours from home, and I’m nowhere near ready to go back. I’d give a whole lot for a few more days with my current company.

“This is it,” Raylynn says.

We’re walking through the airport, headed to our respective gates. Jameson and Liv are off on the rest of their honeymoon, hitting up every one of the Hawaiian Islands over the next twelve days before heading back home for a larger reception in Georgia at the Phoenix's insistence.

“I guess it is.”

“I’m sure you also were not anticipating playing nursemaid to your one-night stand but thank you for that. And for everything else you gave to me on this trip.”

Stopping in the middle of the concourse, I spin her around and tilt her chin up. “I enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you for a good time. It’s been a while since I’ve completely shut down from work and cleared my head. I probably wouldn’t have if not for you.” And that’s the truth. I’m willing to bet that I would have opened my laptop and worked on paperwork or crime scene notes if we hadn’t connected. “You’re welcome for all the orgasms by the way,” I whisper in her ear.

Her face flushes, but she ignores my comment and redirects the conversation. “I’m sure I’ll see you around. I bet money it won’t be long before our best friends are having babies. I damn well better be getting the title of Godmother. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

I laugh as they call her flight.

“Flight 7845 to Albany, Georgia, is now boarding at Gate 1.”

“That’s me.” Her voice cracks.

“So it seems.” I lean in and do the one thing I seem to have become addicted to, I press my lips to hers and kiss her senseless.

Fuck, saying goodbye to her shouldn’t be this hard.

Raylynn is breathing heavily when we pull apart. “That’s one hell of a goodbye,” she says, pressing her fingertips to her lips.

“I’ll see you around,” I tell her one last time and watch her head for her gate.

Once she’s vanished out of sight, I head to my own gate and get comfortable. I’ve got a good hour to kill before my flight takes off. The whole time I can’t help but feel like I’ve let go of something really good.

Chapter 16

Raylynn

“What do you mean my lease has been terminated? This is ridiculous. I don't understand how you're telling me you don't know why it's being terminated either!” I've spent the last hour on the phone arguing with the leasing office, trying to figure out why I found an eviction notice on my door when I came back from my morning workout.

The representative on the other end of the line repeats the same thing that the last three people have told me. I have thirty days to vacate the premises due to an undisclosed breach of contract. I’ve been home from Hawaii for precisely three weeks. And for those three weeks, I’ve spent every single day checking out job listings, reviewing my finances and deciding on my next move. This was not part of the plan.

“According to my lease, you are required to tell me what it is that I’ve breached. I’m looking right at the document. I do not see anything that I could be remotely in violation of. My rent has always been paid on time; I've never missed a payment. I want to speak to someone who can explain this to me.”

“I do apologize Ms. Mancini, as I’ve said, the property has recently been sold to a new owner. During their inspection and review, your lease was flagged and labeled for termination and eviction.”

“I would like to speak with the person who made that decision as well as the new property owner.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I am unable to provide that information. I hope you understand.”

Jesus. This woman cannot be serious right now.

“No, I do not understand. In fact, I think you are violating my tenant rights.”

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