Page 25 of Hard Pass

“What makes you say that?” he asks.

I don’t answer immediately because I’m still working that out. “It’s too early to tell.”

And it is.

But I gather my things and compartmentalize the initial meeting. Cole’s reactions or lack thereof. His defensive sarcasm. His defiant denials. That’s my job to take it all in, combine it with the data, and decide.

And still, as I head for the door, a thought slips in before I can stop it. I’d been prepared to pretend I didn’t know him—to be indifferent—and that part was easy. Why does it bother me that he didn’t know me at all?

I exhale. It’s irrelevant. That girl doesn’t exist anymore.

This is work, and I’m excellent at my job. So this is just a case to solve like all the others.

Time to lock in, Dublin.

CHAPTER SIX

Dublin

“Come out with us tonight.”

I close my eyes and press my fingers lightly against my temple, phone tucked between my shoulder and ear as I sink deeper into my couch.

“Willa . . .” I emit my best friend’s name as a sigh.

“No. Don’t Willa me,” she says, part teasing, part exasperation. “You’ve been back in town for what? Forty-eight hours? And you’re already hiding in your apartment.”

“I always hide in my apartment,” I say.

“Well . . . true. But come out with me. We’ll sit. We’ll drink. Brian is out of town and I miss you. I mean, you don’t even have to talk. Just . . . be there.”

“I want to. I do. I miss you too and need some balance in my life, but—”

“But you have a hectic date with a hottie, and you’re going to have some wild, reckless sex to relax. Right? Say it. Because that’s the only way I’ll accept you blowing me off.”

I bark out a laugh. “Yes. That’s it. That is what I’m doing.” I glance down at my oversized T-shirt and boy shorts underwear. “One hundred percent accurate.”

“Just once I want you to be telling the truth when you say that.” She sighs. “You really do need a better work-life balance.”

“Not going to argue with you there,” I admit. “But I really can’t tonight. I have a new case I’m just sinking my teeth into and—”

“You always have to work.” The words are more resigned than accusatory. “That’s your default. Always has been.”

“You—” The words stall before I can say them. You’re not going to believe who my new client is.

I almost blurt it out though, because if there is one person who would understand the absurdity, the sheer coincidence of the situation I’m in, it would be Willa.

But I can’t.

Confidentiality in my job isn’t flexible. And while she’s my best friend and I’d trust her with my life, rules are rules and I can’t break them.

Not even for this.

Besides, I already know what she’d say. You mean the kiss to end all kisses guy? He’s your new client?

And yes, she knows Cole Valor is that guy—that’s no secret as she was the first person I told when I recognized him on the TV over four years ago—but she can’t know he’s my newest investigation.

“So? You’re still a no on going out?”