Page 29 of Shattering Nash

“Oh, Officer Becker?”

“Yeah.”

“Can you get a message to Cody for me? Just tell him I’m thinking about him, and I miss him. And that I know he’s going to get through this and come out on the other side.” She hadn’texpected an onset of emotion, but her heart tightened, and her eyes welled. “And tell him I’ll be right there waiting for him.”

It was probably a little too personal, but if this was the only chance she had, she’d make the most out it.

“I’ll pass it along, Charley. Bye.” Seconds later, the line went dead.

Charley tucked the phone back in her bag and sighed, feeling a bit of the tension release. She would’ve preferred to speak with Cody directly but this was the next best thing. At least she had confirmation he was safe, and by all accounts, doing well. It was enough.

She wiped the corners of her eyes and turned, coming face to face with Nash standing two feet away.

“Hello, Charley.”

Just her name on his lips sent an unnatural energy through her veins. Maybe it was the deep undertone of his voice. Rich and warm, yet masculine and authoritative. That pretty much summed up Nash’s whole ambience. Putting anyone on a pedestal seemed juvenile. At the end of the day, they were all just people. Some more special than others though.Like him.She’d never been the type of person to believe in any type of love at first sight, but from the moment she’d set eyes on Nash, she’d been smitten and intrigued.

“Hi.” Charley felt the heat rise from her chest, and she swiped her hair from her neck.

The temperature seemed to spike the second she came across Nash. It had nothing to do with faulty air conditioning. No, this was all Charley. She did her best to block the memory of their last encounter.

“You look” —His gaze perused her body, down to her legs and back up to her face. She held her breath waiting on his next words. Nash’s face softened— “Lost.”

Well, that’s disappointing.She was hoping for a little more than directionally challenged. Without even realizing it, her smile fell, and her shoulders sagged. Her facade deflated like a popped balloon. She tugged at the hem of her dress and glanced past Nash and down the hall. Still no sign of Keely.

“I got my separated from my friend.” She cleared her throat, waving her hand nervously. “There’s a lot of people out there.”

“Yes.” Nash stepped forward, crowding her space. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yeah,” she blurted.

He cocked his head, and scanned her face while his lips softened. It wasn’t a fully committed smile, but she’d take what she could get. “Are you lying?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “No.”

His low hum was a whisper. He didn’t believe her. Why would he?I am lying.This scene was beyond her comfort zone. Starting up a conversation had never been a strong suit for her.

“I appreciate Elle’s gift.”

“There’s a difference between appreciating and enjoying. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She nodded. “Yes. I would. Agree.”

She was beyond the point of forming coherent sentences. This needed to end before she said anything more to further her embarrassment. It probably couldn’t get worse than their last encounter, but Charley wasn’t willing to risk it.

“Well, I should let you go.” She waved her hand toward the club. “I don’t want to keep you from your work.”

When she tried to pass him, he matched her steps, blocking her path. “You’re not.”

Charley flattened her lips, forcing a smile. His gaze drifted over her face, focusing in on her lips. Charley stilled with a painful thought. Did she have something on her mouth, and he was too nice to point it out? Her last drink had had a flavoredfoam on top.Am I walking around with a foam mustache?She pressed her hand against her lips and mumbled.

“Do I have something on my face?”

Nash knitted his brows. “No.”

Then why was he staring at her mouth? A thought popped in her head, and she widened her eyes.Ohhhh.

Charley’s phone pinged, and she looked down at it, quickly reading the message. A wave of relief rolled over her. At least she knew where Keely was now. It didn’t get her out of her precarious position with Nash.

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