Page 12 (1/2)

"I’ve been better" He glanced at Nadine long enough to e a smile "How’s the store?"

"A little worse for wear, but open for business The insurance adjuster will be out later to take a look"

"Good" He nodded and came to a stop before Darcy, his war all right with you?"

"Yes, sir, Sheriff Deputy Ca out the scene"

Nadine backed away "I’ to head back to work"

Darcy shot her a look that said, Don’t you dare, but the other worinned ainst the truck next to her Too close When he crossed his arms, his biceps brushed hers

"Where’s Deputy Morales?" Darcy asked

"She washer out with soht I’d find you and see if you needed anything"

She exhaled softly, feeling that tiny twinge of disco someone’s interest was deeper than could be reciprocated She and Chris had dated in high school He’d been proether, been wild and reckless as kids usually were, and she’d enjoyed being with hiuy in a lot of ways Plus, he kept hiet to her, not the way she needed

"I’ I have over to Deputy Cameron"

"I’d heard that" The intihtened away from the truck and faced him from the sidewalk "Watch it, Chris"

"I think we need to talk about this Why are you always going for a dead end? First Jiestured toward Jared with a flick of his wrist "I’ether You know that"

"Seriously? We dated ere kids for chrissakes"

"We have history," he argued "Who knows you better?"

"Honestly, Chris, you don’t know ht back to when she’d woken up to Jared in her bed The things she’d said to his she’d des to Chris It didn’tshe’d known him The connection she needed to be so open wasn’t there "Where is this co off his hat, he ran a hand through his thick any hair His eyes were hot with frustration "Istep I knew you had so to do so I’ve kind of hovered on the side"

"Co to have this conversation now? Here? Really?"

"I know you’re going through a rough time You need someone solid, Darcy Soht outsider"

"We’re not talking about this," she said, low and quiet "You’re under a lot of pressure at the ive you a pass today and forget you brought this up"

"I should’ve asked you out before now Is that what you’re saying? I tried to do the right thing by giving you sohed "Who knows? Maybe if you’d asked ht have said yes Maybe I wouldn’t have We’ll never know It’s aSo are you And I’m presently involved with soh, Darcy Don’t forget that"

"I haven’t, but you seem to have or your boxers wouldn’t be in a twist and ouldn’t be having this conversation We’re going to collar our torch, Chris, and everything is going to go back to the way it was, then you’ll be embarrassed over this conversation Let’s put it behind us"

Jared walked out of the building "Everything all right?"

"Everything’s fine," Darcy said "Sheriff Miller just wanted to offer his assistance"

"You get Deputy Morales the list of part-tihtened and shoved his hat back on his head "Your partner’s got everything she asked for"

"Good" Jared bared his teeth in a semblance of a s further"