Page 19 of What We May Be

“Fine,” she snapped, then immediately chastised herself. She had no claim on Sean, no right to feel jealous, even if she were still in a relationship with him. They’d talk and figure out how to make it work.

Make it work.

Same as she needed to do if she wanted to solve this case. She took a deep breath and reined herself in. “I’ll take your word for it, but I’d still like to go over a few things with him when he arrives.”

“He’s happy to help.”

Charlie pushed off the table. “Thank you.”

Sean, however, made no move to leave. “What time’s your interview with Agent Conder tomorrow?”

“Ten, at the office in Wilmington.”

“Congrats on that. Mitch and Cal would have been proud.”

“Thanks,” she said around the lump in her throat, then repeated the rationalization she was still struggling to accept. “I’d be glad for the opportunity to spare others the pain we had to go through.”

“It’s good work.” He angled his face away, and if Charlie wasn’t mistaken, he was fighting back emotion as well. He cleared his throat and was all business when he spoke again. “Watch out for Conder. I spoke with him yesterday, and he’s impressed, but he’s so far up the Bureau rulebook’s ass, I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten stuck there.”

“Not your favorite person?”

“I was glad to be an ocean away from him.” Sean returned her teasing smile. “Pretty sure if he’d seen more of me, I’d be near the top of his shit list.”

“Won’t be listing you as a reference, then.”

He smiled wider. “Probably a good idea.”

She turned abruptly to the door, needing to get far away from his tempting smile and fast.

“I’m sorry.” He caught her wrist in a gentle hold. “Just then I said or did something to upset you. And earlier too.”

She waved him off and avoided his gaze. “It’s nothing.”

“Charlie.” Sean tightened his fingers around her wrist until she looked him in the eye. “I meant what I told you and Trevor yesterday. I don’t want to interfere with your plans to move on. I mean to keep that promise. I’m only here for a few days to help Marsh with his dad’s case and estate. He needs that closure. I’ll assist HPD as little or as much as you need. It’s your call.” He released her hand and headed for the door. “Abel has my number.”

She watched him leave, her mind racing again. How was she supposed to respond to that? Tell him the truth? That his mere presence in Hanover was an epic interference. That she and Trevor still needed him—then, now, always—if they were ever going to be as happy as they’d once been. That she was scared to death to make that kind of bet on him again.

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