“Cops still can’t find them?” Seth had mentioned once that there was a missing person’s case open for Cruella and Bryce, but it wasn’t Seth’s case. He was a patrol cop and not a detective, but given what he was saying, I figured he’d looked into it, too.
He shook his head. “Nope. I can’t even find an employment history for Cruella.”
“That makes no sense. That bitch worked every night.”
He turned his head to me again. “If I tell you something, promise not to tell Joss?”
My eyebrows crinkled. “Yes, of course.”
He paused, looking back out the windshield. After switching lanes, he said, “There’s only one profession that I can think of for Cruella not to have an employment history. Hell, she didn’t even file taxes.”
My head turned slightly as I stared at him, trying to think of what he meant. “What’s that?”
Seth sighed again. “I think she was a prostitute.”
“What?” I screeched. “No way!”
“Think about it, Kitty Cat. Works nights, no employment history. Unless some diner in Miami was paying her under the table, my money is on Cruella being a streetwalker.”
I blinked, trying to process his revelation. Growing up you’d always hear about hookers, but you’d never see them unless you went to therightpart of town, and I never went to that part of town.
“Don’t tell Joss my suspicions,” Seth continued. “I don’t want to stress her out even more than she already is. Getting her to actually get her GED was brutal. Now I just want her to move on, start community college—something. I’ll find her brother one day. I know I will.”
“Yeah, I won’t tell her.”
And I wouldn’t. Over the past year, Joss and I had drifted apart. Whatever was going on with her wasn’t something I wanted to stir up. I had no doubt Seth would find Bryce. This was Seth we were talking about. He would do anything for her just like he’d do anything for me.
We finally made it to the pizza place, and after our hot, cheesy, goodness was ready, Seth drove us to his apartment. As we walked up the steps to his door, I could see the blue glow of the TV through the blinds that covered the window. Seth released the handle of my bag and stuck his key in the lock, gesturing for me to go ahead. Part of me thought Joss would run and hug me as soon as the door was open.
She didn’t.
When our gazes met, she smiled a small smile and sat up. I didn’t fly over a thousand miles for this bump on a log to only smile at me. I handed Seth the pizzas, and just like the first day I’d met Joss, I straightened my shoulders and walked to her.
“I’ve missed you so much, Joss.” I leaned down and hugged her.
Her arms wrapped loosely around my back. “I’ve missed you too.”
I pulled back. “What the hell is going on? Why do you seem so—down?”
Joss shrugged. “Just tired.” She was lying. I could tell by the way her eyes looked down at the light-wood coffee table behind me and not back into my eyes.
Whatever.
“Well, I’m here to go see the Capitol and work on my tan. I expect you to do the same since this guy has to work a lot of the days I’m here.” I hooked my thumb in the direction of where Seth was in the kitchen.
“Itried to take more days off, Kitty Cat,” Seth called back.
I grinned, looking at Joss as I spoke. “No worries. Joss and I will have girl time.”
I could hear Seth groan as he rummaged in some cabinets, but I knew he was used to our girl time. He’d watch TV while Joss and I did our nails and talked about the girls we didn’t like at school. Each summer, Seth pretended to tune us out, but I knew he was listening because sometimes I’d see him smile or roll his eyes after we said something.
“Right?” I asked Joss. I was talking about girl time.
She gave a tight smile. “Right. Of course.”
“Good. Now let’s stuff our faces and make Seth watchMiss Congeniality 2with us.”
“I heard that!” Seth yelled from the kitchen.
