Page 146 of Girl Between
She’d inadvertently cut him off at the knees before he could get that far. But she’d meant what she said. If there were ever to be a world where they could find their way to each other for good, she needed to vanquish her demons. And she needed to do it on her own.
“I need to stay here to finish this case,” she said quietly.
He nodded. “I need to go back to D.C. My resignation will be official on Monday. And the trial starts. I know you’ve said it won’t change things for you, but it might for me. I want to be there, maybe find some sort of closure.”
“I get that,” she said, still standing in the middle of the dance floor, her arms around Jake’s neck. “You have to go.”
“And you have to stay,” he replied.
She hated how final it all sounded. It made her want to ask for one more song, but as the music turned to another upbeat tune, she knew the moment had passed.
“It’s getting late,” said Jake. “I’ll give you a ride home.”
Dana didn’t argue. She let Jake lead her back to their table, where Richter, George and Lena were all conversing.
“Shep,” Richter greeted. “You trying to make the rest of us look bad, brother? I haven’t fit into my Blues in more than two decades.”
Gone were Jake’s witty remarks. He didn’t even look at his old friend. Instead, he grabbed two bottles of water, handing one to Dana. “We’re leaving,” said Jake. “Give my regards to the bride and groom.”
“Wait,” Dana protested when Jake began towing her away. “I need to find Cadie before we go.”
He nodded and released her hand, about to walk away when George spoke up. “Dana, if you’re not ready to leave, I can give you a ride to your hotel later. Or you’re always welcome to stay at my place.”
Dana hadn’t even seen Jake move, but he was in George’s face in the time it took to blink. With a fistful of George’s shirt in Jake’s hands, Dana knew there wasn’t a moment to spare. She shoved her way between the two men. “No, I’m ready to go now.” She put her hands on Jake’s chest, pushing him back. Staring up at him, she whispered. “Please. Wait for me at the car.”
With a grunt, he let go of George and turned his back on the stunned wedding table, disappearing into the crowd. Dana turned back toward her friends. “I’m so sorry. We were in the middle of something. I didn’t mean to get you involved.” She gave Richter and Lena each a hug. “See you tomorrow.” But when she turned to do the same to George, he wasn’t having it.
He took Dana by the hand and pulled her away from the crowd. “You good?”
“Yes, everything’s fine.”
“That’s not how it looked.”
Dana regretted the genuine concern in George’s voice. This was supposed to be a joyous night for his family. She didn’t want to be the reason it was anything else.
“Everything’s fine. I promise. Today was beautiful. I’m so gratefulto have been included. But it’s been a long day, or week for that matter. I’m ready to leave.”
“If Shepard is making you uncomfortable?—”
Dana refused to let him finish that sentence. “That’s not what’s happening here. I trust Jake with my life.”
George nodded slowly. “You two looked cozy on the dance floor. I guess I can take a hint.”
Smiling, Dana reached out and hugged George. Before letting him go, she said, “Speaking of hints … maybe look into the ones Lena is sending your way.”
George stepped back, looking at Dana like she had two heads. “Lena Cruz?”
“Is there another gorgeous coroner by that name?”
George shook his head.
“And I’m assuming you apologized since shutting a laptop in her face.”
He nodded. “Right after I dropped you off at your hotel yesterday.”
“Good. Then maybe you still have a chance if she’s feeling generous.”
Dana watched George glance back in Lena’s direction, his eyes widening as if viewing the fiercely beautiful woman for the first time. “Lena Cruz. Really? Shit, I’ve known her since we were babies. I think we used to take baths together.”
