Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Brie stands from her desk and walks over to me, hands on her narrow hips. “Finding the person who’s been terrorizing your ex won’t suddenly gain you favor to win him back. You need to woo him.”
“Go away.” I roll my eyes at her, not looking away from the folder.
She smacks me in the head. “I’m serious, dumbass! Get off your ass and invite him to dinner or something. Don’t be like this.”
My heart clenches painfully at seeing him again. “It’s not that simple.”
“Actually, idiot, it is.” She huffs and shakes her head. “You’re the most difficult man I know, and that’s saying something because I’m dating Hank Townsend.”
The mention of his name has me flinching. “You, uh, didn’t tell him about me, right?”
She throws her box of tissues at me and I barely duck out of the way. “I promised you I wouldn’t say anything,” she gripes. “You have issues, Sheriff.”
Her words are said playfully, but I can tell there is some truth to them. It’s official, the man who’s in charge of protecting the community is scared shitless of relationships and their repercussions. Shameful.
“You’re right,” I say with a sigh. “I’ll text him.”
She grins at me, her eyes lighting up. “About damn time. You’ve got this.”
The phone rings and Brie answers—another Rainbow Vigilante hit by the sound of it—so I pull my phone out to text Dante. My fingers hover over the screen, trying like hell to figure out what to say to him. Finally, I bite the bullet, tapping out a message and hitting send before I can rethink it.
Me: Can we maybe have dinner together to talk?
Silence.
I stare at the phone long after Brie ends her call, even while Cato chases a wet Pomeranian around the station, and even after Brie locks up for the evening. After hours of no reply, I realize I’ve lost him. I make it all the way home and finish up a quiet meal with Zak before Dante eventually replies.
Dante: Maybe I’ll run into you at Blur.
It’s a challenge.
Am I desperate enough to walk into a gay bar to see him?
Yes.
Me: Maybe you will.
Quickly, I rush to my bedroom and find something to wear. I want to look fucking hot so he’ll have no way of resisting me. Once I find my best pair of jeans, boots, and a fitted black Henley that makes my biceps look like they’re bulging, I take the time to style my hair and spritz on some cologne. If my eyes didn’t look so sad, I’d look like a man trying to get laid. The truth is, I just want to hold Dante in my arms again.
Fifteen minutes later and I’m walking into Focus. My intention was to waltz straight into Blur, but I need a little liquid courage. I seat myself at the bar, watching Kian in his element as he laughs with one of the patrons. When he sees me, his eyes light up and a grin splits across his face. That expression used to undo me. Now, all I feel is a nostalgic warmth, nothing like the fire Dante incites inside me.
“The other night wasn’t embarrassing enough?” Kian asks in greeting. “A glutton for punishment, are we?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “A beer will do just fine.”
He winks at me before walking away, making sure to shake his ass. Other patrons take notice, but my gaze quickly skims the bar, hoping I might see Dante here instead. Unfortunately, he’s nowhere to be found.
I make it through three beers, feeling buzzed but not drunk, before I gather the nerve to pay my tab and head next door. I slap a couple of twenties down, giving Kian a quick wave. He holds up a finger before leaving the bar area to come over to me.
“You okay? You seem down,” he says, his hazel eyes glittering. “I’m a good listener.”
I give him a warm smile. “Yeah, I remember.”
“You’re different lately.” He peers at me from beneath his lashes in that way that used to make me think he was the most beautiful person to walk the earth. “It’s a good different.”
“I feel different,” I admit. “I, uh, like someone. Really like them. Just trying to keep them, you know? I have a bad rep for letting the good things in my life slip through my fingers.”
Rare vulnerability shines in his eyes. “Yeah, you have a bad history of that.” He bites on his bottom lip. “That person is lucky.”
“Thanks, Kian.” I rub at the back of my neck. “Listen, I’m sorry about high school. I was scared shitless and I fucked up back then, but…”
He waves me off and rolls his eyes, his sadness gone as his sass springs back into place. “We both know I was always too good for you.”
I know it hurt him more than he lets on, but I nod anyway, letting him avoid those feelings with his sarcasm. “You’re probably right.”