Chapter 27
“If you tell anyone,I’ll bury your body where no one will ever find it.”
Jenn Sullivan sat with Jane outside on the upper deck of the ferry, enjoying the crisp summer morning with a hot cocoa. “Oooh. Color me scared.”
“I’m not kidding. This is sensitive information.”
“Come on, Jane. You know I won’t tell anyone. What is it? Did you and Matthew finally do the deed?” At Jane’s blush, Jenn guffawed. “I knew it!”
“No, we did not do the deed,” Jane said, her voice low though not many were outside to hear it. “But we did share a dinner at his place.”
“Just dinner?”
Jane grumbled, “And maybe a kiss.”
Jenn pumped her arm and gave awoo-hoo.“Finally. I knew you’d catch a clue. The guy has been giving you those looks ever since he stopped being the boss.”
“What looks? He’s never around.”
“He’s been by a few times. You didn’t see it, but he was checking in with Grimshaw, singing your praises. Whenever I’d see him swing by, he’d look for you. And if he saw you, he got those googly eyes.”
Jane pictured the bobbly stick-on eyes of her cousin’s favorite stuffed animal as a kid. “Not a great look.”
“No, it’s a look oflurrrrve.”
Jane couldn’t help chuckling. “Are you done yet?”
“For that stellar information, I guess I forgive you for blowing off my cousin.”
“We’ve been over this. Sam isn’t into dating me either. And this thing with Matthew, whatever it is, is new.” She mulled over what she wanted—no,needed—to share. “We’re also working on a case together, one that’s not exactly official.”
Jenn frowned. “Is ‘case’ some kind of weird lingo for sex?”
“What?No.” Jane hated turning so pink. She was no prude, contrary to what everyone thought. Entitled to a private life, she didn’t talk about it. Not usually. “Look, I’m a little confused, and I could use some help.”
“Shoot.”
“I like Matthew. A lot more than I thought I would. But this feels weird. I mean, yeah, we kissed. But what am I doing? He was my boss.”
“Was. Past tense.”
“I have important work, especially right now. But lately I find myself thinking about him at odd times. I’m no teenager with a crush.”
“Jane, it’s normal to think about someone you’re attracted to.”
“Not for me.” Jane hated to be so chatty about something as inconsequential as her dating life. But Jenn was more comfortable with emotions and connections. She might be able to better see what Jane should do.
Jenn shrugged. “I’m confused. What exactly are you asking me?”
“I don’t know.” Jane groaned. “I hate this. Feeling indecisive about anything. I know what I’m doing when it comes to the job. To exercise, firing weapons, going hand-to-hand. But developing a relationship with someone I worked with is weird. I mean, in one way it’s good.”
Jenn nodded. “You both understand the work you do. You get it when the other person is busy working long hours.”
“Exactly. But it’s also tough because I don’t want him getting in my business. And I don’t want anyone thinking I’m sleeping my way around the Agency. You know as well as I do how hard it is to be a woman in a male-dominated workspace.”
“Preach. Look, no one can say you’re sleeping around the Agency. You’ve never dated anyone at work. And it’s not as if you’re getting married to Matthew.”
“That’s true.”
