Page 16 of The One I Love

“What we discussed was between you and me. Our deal was between us,” Hal reminded her. “Have you said anything to Cameron?”

“No. Well, other than you gave me the money to help me find my sister.”

“Good.” Hal shifted her gaze to the menu lying open in front of her. “I suppose we should order—”

“Hal.” June blew out a breath. “I meant what I said. If there’s ever anything I can do to help, please ask.”

* * *

Cameron slanted a sideways glance at June as they strode into the Cruise Room bar at the Oxford Hotel that night.

June returned the smile. All evening, it was as if he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

She loved the thought.

When Cameron had told her he wanted to celebrate this break in the case, she’d thought he was talking about dinner out. While they’d enjoyed a meal, too, he’d asked what she thought about doing their own cocktail tour in LoDo.

They could walk to several different bars after enjoying a drink at each, then a town car could be called to drive them home.

Over dinner, they’d talked not just about the 1959 Impala and her hopes about finding the owner, but about his work at Velocity and her return to her job in ten days.

“This okay?” Cameron gestured to an empty booth in the bar where the color red dominated the beautiful art deco décor.

“Works for me.” June would have been okay sitting anywhere. At their previous stop, the Green Russell, they’d sat at the bar and sipped Jalisco sours.

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but this bar has an interesting history.”

“I’m not aware.” She inclined her head. “Please enlighten me.”

“When Prohibition ended, this bar was designed to look like the lounge on the Queen Mary.”

“Really?” June would have said more, but a server wearing a black lace dress stopped at the booth.

“What can I get you?” the young woman asked.

“This bar is known for its classic martinis,” Cameron informed June when she hesitated.

“I’ll have a Lemon Drop,” June said immediately.

“Dirty for me,” Cameron told the server.

“Coming right up.”

“Thanks for doing this.” June reached over and gave his hand a squeeze.

Confusion blanketed his handsome face. “What am I doing?”

“Making this evening a celebratory one.” All day, June had tried to temper her excitement, but she hadn’t been successful. “While we don’t have any answers yet, I’m thrilled with the progress and super hopeful.”

“I bet Gran was excited for you.”

“Your grandmother is wonderful.” June expelled a breath. “I was feeling kind of uncertain after my meeting with Gary. Actually, ‘uncertain’ isn’t the word, but right now, I can’t think of one that fits, but having her share my excitement and having you do the same now… Well, it buoys my spirits.”

The server arrived with their drinks, but didn’t linger.

“What do you think is up with Gary?”

“Hal and I decided he doesn’t want to get my hopes up.” June took a sip of her drink, finding that the lemon sugar on the rim only added to her pleasure. “I can understand, because that’s the reason I haven’t said anything to my mom yet.”

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