Page 19 of Justice for JoElla

“Yeah. I did. But he’d been promising me for months that he was leaving Kendra. And the night of the incident, we were arguing because I’d found out he was fucking somebody else.”

“Wow. I do it one time and my world gets destroyed. That guy had multiple affairs going on all at the same time and he gets apromotion? Now why the hell doesthatsound wrong?”

“Oh, and did I mention that he’s the city police chief now?”

Brandon’s eyes went wide again and he shook his head. “No. That’s just not right. Not right at all. How did you manage to get this job?”

“I’ve known SheriffBillings and his family most of my life. He recruited me. Said he wanted me on this case since the victim was my neighbor.”

Something registered in Brandon’s eyes. “The woman who’s missing? Whose son was shot and killed?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow.” He dropped back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “Wow, you’ve really been put through the wringer.”

“Sounds like we both have.”

He laughed. “Yeah, we should start a club!”

That made JoElla snicker. “Yeah. We’ll call it the ‘Fuck All Y’all Assholes’ club!”

“No! I’m an asshole. So then you’d have to fuck me!” His cheeks instantly pinked. “Not that there would be anything wrong with that, mind you. I mean, you’re very… I mean, you look…” He seemed to fumble a bit, and JoElla was ridiculously amused. “I mean, fucking you would be no chore. Because… Holy hell, I’m making a mess of this, huh?” The guy was so flustered that if the floor had opened up and swallowed him, she was sure he’d feel relieved.

“Yeah. You should probably shut up before you say somethingreallystupid!” Then she started to laugh.

Before she could catch another breath, Brandon was laughing too. They just kept laughing, and for the first time in a long time, JoElla realized she was having fun. This guy was such a royal screw-up that she felt like a hero in his presence. As their laughter wound down, he smiled. “Sorry about that. I’m not used to having to be so articulate. I’m used to saying whatever the hell I want and people just have to deal with it because I’m a doctor. And now I’m just an asshole.”

“Looks like you need some lessons in being inoffensive.”

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

JoElla gave him a smile back. “You really weren’t offensive. I think you were trying to compliment me. Of course, based on what you said, I’m not entirely sure, so I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt!”

“Trust me, I meant it as a compliment, regardless of the way it came out. So let me buy you a drink to make it up to you.”

JoElla nodded. “Sounds good.”

They laughed and talked the rest of the time they were at the table, and JoElla was relieved. The man was actually very easy to talk to, and he was funny. It had been a long time since she’d had anything to laugh about, and he was dishing it out by the bucketload.

Something caught her eye, and she turned. The eleven o’clock news was on! “Oh, shit! It’s really late. I should probably get going.”

Brandon looked down at his watch and his eyebrows flew up. “I had no idea! I guess it really is true?time flies when you’re having fun.”

“And I have had fun. So thanks for that,” she said as she dabbed at her mouth with her napkin, then rose from her seat. “Walk me out?”

“Sure.” They both stopped and paid on the way out, and he held the door for her to precede him. Neither of them spoke until she reached her car. Brandon was facing the security light, and he held up a hand to shield his eyes. “So I’ll see you around. This was fun.”

“Yeah. It was. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Something passed through her mind, but she shut it down. She was trying to figure out what to say or do when he asked, “So, would you like to have dinner with me sometime?”

She felt her heartbeat flutter. “Um, I guess so.”

“Okay. What about Friday night?”

“Sure. Sounds good.”What the fuck am I doing?her brain was screaming.I’m a complete and total idiot!

“Okay. Friday it is. Can I call you?”

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