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I’d known all along Meg might be the minor who turned Sullivan in, and might be in more danger because of it. Men like Sullivan always wanted revenge and would go to any lengths to get it. It was killing me to know Jamie had information about her past, information I could use to help her, but wouldn’t tell me. I wasn’t handling any of this well.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m thinking about how much I want to hang these bastards by their balls.” I told half of my truth.

“Right there with you, brother.” Jamie raised his beer in agreement. “Have you told her how much you like her?”

I almost choked on my beer, “I, no, we’ve only had three dates and they didn’t end well. I’m pulling back, giving her some space so she can figure out what she wants.”

“Riiight.” Jamie didn’t even try to hide his amusement. “She might be scared, but she likes you. And it’s obvious to everyone who knows you, you’ve fallen for her.”

I stared at him over my tipped beer but didn’t trust myself to say anything.

He grinned. “So, when are you going to ask her out again?”

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. I didn’t blush often, but having Jamie call me out on my feelings for Meg caught me off guard. Damn him, bringing all this back up. I’d barely come to terms with backing off. Something I expected him to support. Now he was encouraging me to ask her out.What the actual fuck?I wanted to wipe the shit-eating grin off his face.

“Why the change of heart?” I asked, instead of dealing with my feelings.

“Because I want you to be happy.”

“Well, it may not happen with Meg. She’s giving me mixed signals.” I shrugged away my disappointment. “At least dad will be happy.” I meant it to sound like a joke, but it came out snarky.

“It’s not like that and you know it.”

I did. Dad was fine with me dating Meg, just not while we were researching her past. It was the circumstances, not Meg, that he didn’t like. Which I understood, I didn’t like them either.

“I know.” The perks of having a family full of police officers. They can do things like help you solve the mystery of your gir- your friend’s past. Of course, the downside is they notice everything, and don’t shy away from calling you out on your bullshit. Like Jamie did.

“Speaking of mom and dad, you coming to dinner?”

“Yeah. Mom’ll be disappointed. She told me to invite Meg but I couldn’t.” I finished my beer. “It didn’t feel right since we’re not dating.”

“You should talk to her. You can always take it slow, but don’t give up.”

It felt like everyone around me was giving me mixed signals. What a mind fuck.

Chapter 34

Meg

Iinvited Jack over for dinner Tuesday after work. I told him he didn’t have to bring anything and fully expected him to ignore me. He had a bad habit of trying to pay for everything. It was weird and a little unnerving. I’d always fended for myself and while I liked the idea of someone wanting to take care of me.Hell, I’ve longed for it my entire life. I didn’t like that he felt like he needed to take care of me. Or the idea being indebted to someone. I knew Jack didn’t do it because he expected anything in return, but Sullivan had forced me to rely on him for everything those weeks he held me. He had showered me with gifts, but they came at a hefty price and I couldn’t let go of the fear of it happening again.

Anytime I tried to address it, Jack would dismiss it and tell me “It’s who I am,” and it was normal for a man to want to take care of the woman he cared about. I didn’t know what a normal relationship felt like, so I tried to let go of my discomfort. I wasn’t doing a good job of it.

Thankfully, the only things Jack brought were a bouquet of red and white carnations and a six-pack of beer.

The flowers were gorgeous. I put them in my bedroom so they wouldn’t have to compete with the rich smell of freshly cooked bacon.

He asked if he could help, but I was almost done, so I told him to relax while I finished. He popped open a beer and leaned against the wall. “What’s for dinner? It smells great.”

“Baked macaroni and cheese with bacon. I used to make it with my grandmother. It’s one of my favorites.” The recipe called for a pound of thick cut bacon, chopped, and five different cheeses. It was thick, rich, and gooey, and mouthwatering delicious.

I told Jack to sit while I filled two bowls.

“Looks delicious.” He took a bite, closed his eyes and made happy food noises as he chewed. He opened his eyes and caught me smirking, “What?”

“You have cheese in your beard.”

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