“Honorable.” He thought about what he hoped would happen later. “Mostly.”
One side of her mouth lifted. “All right. But she’s been hurt before. Don’t hurt her.”
“I’m trying not to.”
“I believe you. But even if you didn’t mean to, you hit her where it hurt the most.”
“I know. I know her fiancé left her for an old lover. And then I said… what I said.”
“Which was bad. But your being friends with Paige first was just the cherry on top.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Because Paige is like a honey bee. It’s a little ego deflating, walking next to her. Worse for Liv, because she doesn’t see herself like everyone else does.”
“Why?”
“From what I’ve seen, some of it was her mom. She was… demanding.”
“She told me her mother died the year before her father,” David remembered. “But she talked like she’d loved her mother.”
“She did. But life was tense in their house. It can’t have been easy raising a kid alone-and an illegitimate one at that-back then. Her mom was always, ‘Get an education, get a scholarship. Don’t depend on your face, use your brain.’”
“Good advice,” David said cautiously. “Isn’t it?”
“When it’s balanced. From what I’ve gathered during past mojito sessions, and what I saw myself, Liv’s mom put down her looks and nothing she did was good enough.”
“Olivia strongly resembles her father, just like Mia,” David said. “That must have been hard for her mother, too, to look at her daughter and see the man who’d tossed her aside. Still, that doesn’t make it less wrong or any easier for Olivia to get past.”
“True. But I’m sure you’ll find a way to make Liv feel really pretty. Just say her name this time. Olivia. Say it with me now. O-li-vi-a.”
David’s cheeks grew warm again. “I’m going now. What about the dog?”
“I’ll keep Mojo with me. He was mine first, you know. But he flunked training academy and needed a home. Olivia needed company after Doug left. It worked out. Hey, I heard you made a damn good save at the condo.”
“How did you hear that?”
“My dad was at the warehouse fire last night. He’s the vet taking care of that drugged guard dog. He said it was all the gossip. So, you play ball?”
“Went to school on a baseball scholarship.” For one disastrous semester. “Why?”
“Because I play on a league and we need a fielder. One of our guys broke his foot. We’re headed to the play-offs, but without him it won’t be easy. If you wanna come…”
He knew a “welcome to the group” when he heard one. “Thank you. I’d like that.”
“We practice Thursday night.” She scribbled an address. “Here.”
“If I can, I will. Thanks for the history. Hope the head stops exploding soon.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears. Don’t slam the door on your way out.”
He was back on the main road when his cell buzzed in his pocket. It was his mom. “I’m sorry, Ma. I should have called you this morning, but I wanted to let you sleep in.”
“Where are you, David?” she asked, a tension in her voice he didn’t like.
“North of town. Why? What’s wrong?”
“The news reported on that glass ball. You weren’t mentioned, but word’s gotten out. A dozen reporters were here, wanting to interview you on your ‘save.’”
“A girl died in that fire and a man was murdered. And they want the scoop on my catching a ball?” He blew out an angry breath. “I’ll be home to take care of it.”
“No, don’t come home. That’s why I’m calling. Glenn told them to go away, that you didn’t live here. Glenn said for you to go to the cabin for the day, that he’d drop off a change of clothes for you at the firehouse.”
“It’s not a bad idea. But what about you? I hate to leave you alone all day.”
“I’ve got a building full of people to keep me company. I got up early and made fresh bread. The Gorski sisters are adorable, and those babies in 2A? Well, I got my grandma fix for the day. Don’t worry about me. I’m having lunch with Tom and dinner with Evie, so I’m too busy for you anyway.” She said it lightly, but it didn’t fool him.
“Tom never has time for lunch with me. He’s always too busy studying.”
“He has to make time for me. I’m his grandma. You’re only the uncle. Just don’t worry about me. If you stay away, maybe this’ll blow over in a day or so.”
He sighed. “From your mouth to God’s ears, Ma.”
He’d no sooner hung up when another call came in. Olivia. Hopefully calling to tell him he’d been outed as the ball catcher and not to tell him she was still mad and not coming back tonight for what would hopefully be stimulating conversation and more stimulating sex. “Hello?” he answered cautiously.
“It’s Olivia. The news picked up the story about the glass ball.”
“I know. My mom just called. I had a yard full of reporters, so I’m going to the cabin. So if-when-you get done…”
“Understood,” she said stiffly and he realized she couldn’t speak freely. Still, there was a huskiness in her voice that encouraged him. “My boss wants me to tell you not to talk to the press, but it seems like you have that covered.”
“There are a lot of things I’d like to cover,” he said, dropping his tone to a caress.
“Understood,” she said again, then cleared her throat. “I have to go.”
David hung up, then let go and grinned. Things were looking up.
Tuesday, September 21, 9:45 a.m.
Olivia pocketed her phone as she and Kane stood in line at the Deli, hoping her cheeks weren’t too red. No chance, because Kane was grinning at her. “You shut up.”
“I didn’t say a word,” he said. “I could continue not saying a word for a pastrami.”
“I’m not supporting your pastrami habit. You already had two this morning.”
“That was hours ago,” he grumbled.
“Fine. I’ll split one with you. I’m not that hungry anyway. I had an omelet already.”
“Who made you an omelet?” His eyes narrowed. “The firefighter who you left early last night came back, huh? Come on, Liv,” he whined. “Tell me.”
Annoyed, she looked to the front of the line. “What is taking so long this morning?”
“Avoidance has always been your go-to defense. This time of the morning Kirby’s always slow. It would go faster if he didn’t stop to chat with everyone.”
“You don’t like him because he flirts with you,” Olivia said slyly.
Rolling his eyes, Kane looked over the crowded tables. “The interpreter isn’t here.”
“She texted me ten minutes ago. She’s looking for a parking place. Relax. You’re awfully tense today.”
“Too much coffee.” The bell on the door jingled and he turned to look. “She’s here.” Val was dressed all in black, exactly as she had been the night before. She lifted a travel mug, indicating she had coffee and would just wait at the door. “Is the black a uniform or a fashion statement, I wonder?” Kane murmured.
“Uniform, of sorts,” Olivia said. “It provides contrast for her hands. Dark solids are good. Bright crazy prints, very bad.” They made it to the front of the line and Olivia spouted her order, but the barista behind the counter didn’t respond. His gaze was locked on the television mounted in the corner, his forehead furrowed in a frown.
“Yippee,” Olivia muttered. Channel 2’s reporter was talking about the glass ball. “Kirby.” She knocked on the counter. “Hey, Kirby.”
The barista blinked, then turned to her. “I’m sorry, Detective. That’s some story. In fact, unless I’m wrong, that’s your story. So what’s the sitch?”
She gave him a back-off look. “The sitch is a detective who really needs her coffee. Can I get two coffees and a pastrami and egg?”
Kirby looked over her shoulder to Kane. “Three in one day? I’m flattered,” he cooed, all but batting his eyes. Behind her, Kane tensed and Olivia’s lips twitched, knowing Kirby only baited Kane because it made her partner uncomfortable.