I take a breath to keep from sounding irritated. “That’s part of what makes this urgent. We did, inadvertently, and we need to make it right.”
Blake’s on his phone.
“She’s not scheduled today. If I see her, I’ll be sure to let her know, you’re looking for her.”
I grimace. “Any chance you could give us her address?”
Bev purses her lips into a frown. “Can’t do that.” She walks away.
Is that it? We’re done? Life is so much easier with a badge. I drop my head into my hands.
A box slides in front of me, causing me to pull out of my funk.
“This one’s on me.” Bev has returned. “I don’t know what you did, but I have a good sense about you guys. And Ceci likes cinnamon rolls. Always eats them when she’s stressed.” She taps the box. “Be sure to give it to her when you apologize.”
“That sounds perfect. Thanks, ma’am.” Blake slides a hundred onto the counter then flashes his phone at me. He has an address for Cecilia.
Bev inspects the bill as we stand. “You come back any time you’re in the mood for a free cinnamon roll.”
I’m so focused on finding Cecilia, I don’t laugh at the joke until we’re out the door. I turn and wave through the glass.
Getting in the car, I ask Blake, “How did you find her address?”
“She had a post online about her No Panties Day parade. There was a planning meeting at her house.”
“Good detective work.” I playfully punch his shoulder, relieved that we can stay in motion. “What do we say if her parents answer?”
“Might have to wing that one.” Blake’s right. There’s no way to prepare for all of the unknowns.
Unfortunately, when we get to Cecilia’s house, no one’s home. “Now what?” I ask.
“Backup plan.” Blake opens social media. “She’s tagged in a picture this morning.”
Cecilia’s vibrant smile in the photo is the polar opposite from when she found out we hadn’t told her the truth. I’m a goddamn undercover cop. I have to lie. But if that’s how we start our relationship, how will she ever know when to trust me? Us?
I hate the timing of everything, except that it led me to Cecilia. I’ll make it work. There’s nothing in the picture to tell us where she is. Somewhere she can wear a bikini, but that doesn’t really narrow it down. She could be in a backyard.
Reading the post, I find a hint. “That hashtag. It’s got the name of an apartment complex we passed.”
#HiddenCreekHotties?” Blake questions.
“Not the hotties part. It was this way. Must be Trena’s place.” I point and Blake drives.
It’s a longshot since the picture was posted before she came to our house, but it’s something.
We pull into a parking space near the pool. Lots of kids. A damned pain streaks through me. My plans to put a baby in Cecilia are slipping through my fingers.
Blake and I stand on either side of the truck. It’s not a mega-complex like in the city, but it’s big enough we can’t see all of the apartments. He says, “I’ll show the picture around, see if anyone knows which one Trena lives in.”
“Are you hoping to look more like a cop or a stalker?”
“Right.” He keeps doing stuff on his phone. Maybe he’ll find a unit number.
Surveying the complex, I feel defeated, which is ridiculous since we know where Cecilia lives and works. But patience doesn’t feel like a virtue when you hurt your soulmate. It kills me to think of her feeling betrayed. “I don’t think I can wait.Remind me how pissed she’ll be if she finds out we used our law enforcement resources to find her.”
“Technically, we could do it to secure the undercover status, and ensure the success of our mission. Make sure she doesn’t tell anyone.”
“I don’t want it to be like that. I don’t even care about the fucking check-washing anymore.” I have no shame left in exposing my feelings for her and that we’re cops. I’ll do whatever it takes to find my sweet Cecilia.
