Page 81 of Rectify

“Wow, was I ever that young?” Miller asked. “And full of energy.”

“I know I wasn’t. Sure you don’t want something?” she asked Caden, who was leaning against the wall next to the booth. He shook his head, his gaze constantly roaming.

“Takes his job seriously, doesn’t he?” Miller said quietly.

Natalya nodded. Their drinks arrived, and she took a sip of the sweet, creamy concoction.

“Now that’s a drink,” she said. “Way better than that shit whiskey the boys drink.”

Miller laughed. “Who needs expensive, aged whiskey when you can drink something that tastes like cotton candy?”

Natalya clicked her glass against Miller’s.

“So, have you got a thing for Rogan?” she blurted out.

Miller coughed, choking on her drink, and Natalya patted her on the back.

Oops.

“Wow, way to just lay it all out,” Miller told her.

Natalya shrugged. “Life’s too short to pussyfoot around. Do you like him?”

“I can’t like him.”

“Why is that?” Natalya asked curiously.

“Look, we’re not fifteen and giggling over dating the captain of the football team,” Miller said irritably. “Rogan and I aren’t suited. It’s complicated.”

“Jeez, isn’t everything? Why aren’t you suited? Because he’s the leader of the Cavan Gang?” Natalya saw Caden stiffen out of the corner of her eye, but he didn’t say anything.

“Partly, but also because I’m not in a good headspace for a relationship. Besides, who said Rogan is interested in me?”

“Oh, he is. You should see the way he watches you. It’s like he’s drowning, and you have the only life raft left. Look, I like Rogan a lot. Even though he doesn’t always stick to the right side of the law, he’s a good person. He deserves to be happy. I just wanted to warn you that if you hurt him, I’ll have to hurt you.”

Miller just stared at her. Great, had Natalya just ruined things between them? Maybe. But Miller needed to know where she stood on this.

“Well, I wouldn’t want that.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” Natalya replied with a firm nod. Then she looked at the other woman with some trepidation. “We good?”

Miller smiled. “Yeah, we’re good.”

“Okay then. Enough serious talk. Let’s order another drink. This one says it tastes like cookie dough. Yummy.”

She could swear she heard Caden groan.

Twenty minutes later, she stood. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

“Actually, me too,” Miller seconded.

“All right. Let me check it first,” Caden said, stepping in front of them.

Natalya grabbed his arm. “No way, buddy.”

He frowned down at her. “I need to check that it’s secure.”

Disbelief swirled through her. Was he kidding? She took in his serious face. No. He was not kidding at all.

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