Page 19 of Girl Between
“Last night won’t be happening again. And you can’t show up at my place of work like this.”
“I—”
“No,” Dana said, raising her hand to stop whatever argument he had. “I mean it. I’m not who you think I am.”
“And who’s that?” George asked.
Dana lowered her voice, feigning calm despite her flaming cheeks. “Someone who sleeps around.”
George grinned so broadly, his dimples showed. “Wait … You think …” A laugh escaped him so suddenly, Dana took a step back, but George followed her movement. He matched it with his own, until he was so close she had no choice but to stand uncomfortably near him unless she wanted to take a swim in the lotus pond.
George lowered his gaze, his hand reaching to tuck a runaway strand of hair behind her ear. His thumb briefly lingered at her neck as he said. “We didn’t sleep together, Dr. Gray.”
“What?” she whispered.
“Trust me, if we did, it would be something you’d remember,” he added with a cocky wink before taking a step back.
With space to breathe, Dana blinked, refocusing. “I don’t understand. Then why are you here?”
“Jake Shepard sent me.”
Dana’s mind cleared suddenly, only to refill with an abundance of anger. “You’re Flynn?”
“The one and only.”
“You said your name was George.”
“And you said yours was Jane.”
“How did you find me?” she demanded.
“Detective, remember? And my nameisGeorge. Vincent Flynn George. If you’d stuck around this morning, you could’ve asked. Flynn is an old Army nickname. Bit of an inside joke, but anyway … everyone here calls me by my last name, George.”
Dana’s face reddened again. “So, this is what you do? Stalk people for your old Army friends and harass them at their place of work?”
“I’d hardly call this harassment. Besides, I was in the area for a case. Figured I’d kill two birds. Though finding out you’re Jake’s, Dr. Gray …” he chuckled. “I can see why he’s worried.”
“I’m not Jake’s anything,” Dana said defensively, though every part of her knew the statement was untrue.
“Sure,” George or Flynn or whoever he was replied. “Anyway, now I can tell Jake you’re alive and well, so I’ll be on my way.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, quickly draped an arm around her shoulder, and snapped a selfie before she knew what was happening.
“Hey!” Dana protested.
“Proof of life,” he replied, flashing the photo on his screen toward her.
She groaned at her pale, startled appearance, which looked downright lifeless next to his dimples and vibrant smile.
“I’ll walk you out,” was all Dana offered.
23
George followedDr. Gray down the winding gravel path of the French style garden and back into the air conditioned interior of the historic home-turned-office. He hesitated as they walked past her desk. The new perspective gave him a clear view of what sat in the glass display case where she’d been working when he arrived.
“What is that?” he asked.
Dana paused, turning her focus to where his gaze lingered. “The mask?”
He nodded.
