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“Good, because I don’t want to seem like a greedy pig when I order surf and turf. Plus appetizers. And dessert.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled me down the long hall to the reception area. “I like the way you think, Chris.”
“You folks have a good time?”
“The best,” Tara beamed. Her excitement made me sad we had to split up to get to the restaurant since she’d driven here. Luckily, she was chatting up the hostess, telling her all about the escape room when I arrived. “Ah, there he is, which means we can officially be seated.”
“How’d you get here so soon?” She flashed a playful, slightly flirtatious smile over her shoulder.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You totally used your lights and sirens, didn’t you?” I didn’t miss the shiver that went through her, presumably at my proximity. Hopefully.
Tara threw her head back and laughed as she slid into the booth seat. “You think my personal car comes with lights and sirens? Aren’t you supposed to be some great writer or something?” I knew she was playing, but it didn’t stop the dip in my brows. “Well, aren’t you?”
I shrugged and took my seat, smiling at the challenge sparkling in her big green eyes that she’d taken the time to highlight with eyeliner. “Some officers use their personal vehicles for work, or don’t they teach that at the academy?”
One brow arched as she sat back and folded her arms. “No, they don’t actually. That’s more of a policy that varies by department.”
“Touché.”
I was rewarded once again with her melodic, slightly husky laugh. “What kind of research do you do for your books? Or do you just make up what sounds good?”
I wasn’t sure if I should be offended or not, but since this date was, in fact, research, I went with it. “Have you ever read any of my books?”
“One or two,” she admitted.
“I’m not fishing for compliments,” I assured her. “I have a medical examiner friend I use for the technical stuff, for example. If something is integral to the plot then I’ll reach out to an expert, but a lot of it just internet research.”
“So you’re not going out at night and stalking women so you can write the perfect scene?” Her lips twitched in amusement. “You can tell me, ya know. I’m technically off duty.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I’ve spoken to enough law enforcement to know you are never off duty.”
“Damn. It almost worked.” Tara shrugged and picked up her menu. “Are you working on anything now?”
“Always. Right now I’m outlining a new series, and I don’t have much direction. Yet.” Tara was a good police officer so I couldn’t risk telling her too much.
“Right. Well, tell me something about yourself Chris.”
“Like what?”
“Like how you ended up a single father. The misadventures of learning how to do hair. Why did you choose mysteries instead of war dramas or science fiction? I hear people generally get to know each other on these things called dates.”
“You’re a bit of a smart ass aren’t you?” Truth was, I liked that about her. A lot.
Her dark brows pulled down into a frown. “Just a bit? I’d better up my game, then.” Another slow smile spread and then she laughed and I joined in.
“I guess you should.” I really enjoyed this playful version of Tara. “What will people think if they knew you were only half a smart ass?”
She put her hand to her chest in mock shock. “You wouldn’t?”
I shrugged. “I might.”
“Like my grandma always said, never trust a writer.” Despite her smile, I felt a flicker of unease settle in my gut, but I shoved it aside. This was just a first date and there was no reason to feel guilty about anything.
“Your grandma knew a lot of writers?”
Tara shrugged. “She never actually said that, but she did know plenty of artists. She owned a big house and in her later years, she rented to artists passing through the area in search of inspiration or a quiet place to work.” She sat back with wide eyes and shook her head. “I’d totally forgotten about that.”
“Memory is a tricky thing. Sometimes I catch myself having fond memories of my ex, and I have to remind myself it was just rose colored glasses.” I knew it was considered bad date etiquette to bring up previous relationships, but Pilgrim was a small town and if she didn’t already, Tara would know the details soon.
“Was it all horrible or just the end?”
My lips curled into a crooked grin. “No one’s ever asked that before.”
“Not everyone is a super cop.” She leaned forward, resting her chin on her fist in an exaggerated listening gesture.
“No, I suppose they’re not.” It was another reason this should be our last date, no matter how many times I thought about what kind of date to surprise her with next. “It wasn’t all bad, not even at the end, mostly because she just left. But it was pretty clear from the beginning that we weren’t exactly compatible.”
