Page 7 of Hey, Daddy

Hazel.

All of them had the same facial structure. The same curves.

They were about the same height, too.

At least, from what I could tell with them sitting down.

The first curly-haired blonde stood up and all but yanked her straight-haired sister out of the booth on the opposite side, and the two of them dashed toward the bathroom.

I didn’t watch them go, because I was busy staring at the lone occupant of the booth.

I didn’t make my move, though.

I was an observer.

Plus, I kind of wanted to see if she had the courage to get up and walk over to me.

She didn’t.

The two women came back from the bathroom, and they both wore a disappointed look when they realized I wasn’t at their booth and she hadn’t gone over to see me.

They talked some more and got up to leave.

The disappointment inside of my chest was immediate when I saw them gather their things.

When I went to take a step toward them, my phone rang, reminding me that I was on call tonight.

Goddammit.

I answered it and threw a twenty down onto the bar for the bartender, who gave me a nod in thanks.

I left with the phone to my ear, getting the details of the most recent murder in Fort Worth.

Fucking awesome.

I refused to admit how much disappointment I felt in having to leave without making a move.

But such was life.

I like to drive my own car in case I have a mood swing and need to leave.

—Haze’s secret thoughts

HAZE

I got out of my Ford F-250 and took a look around.

The parking lot in which I was parked was damn near empty, thanks to what time of night it was. However, there was a Whataburger and an IHOP in the same parking lot, so not empty enough for my liking.

The rest of the shopping center was closed—minus the Amazon Locker location where we were now standing.

Already, there was a group of people standing in the IHOP parking lot talking and smoking while simultaneously watching where I’d just parked my truck to help block what was happening.

I was glad I wasn’t the first on scene.

Gladder that by the time that I did arrive on scene, the entire area had already been roped off.

There were already people loitering outside the protective police area that was roped off by bright yellow crime scene tape near the front doors.

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