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“You ran it, too.” Sunny bit down on her lower lip, but the words were already out.
“I’m allowed.”
“Aren’t you a robbery detective?” Somehow, Sunny had decided to answer his questions with one of her own, even though their past suggested this was not a smart move. “Who’s not even on duty?” She eyed his jeans and sweatshirt.
He surprised her with a smile. Detective Callahan was even better looking in the daylight, where the gray sky highlighted the gentle wrinkles around his eyes. “I have a light.” He pointed at the flashing siren. “Which means I can pull you over whenever I want.”
“Don’t you have anything better to do on Thanksgiving?” Despite her better judgment, Sunny pressed on. “At least go arrest some gang members. Not law-abiding citizens stuck at traffic lights that are broken.”
“So I’m arresting you, am I? Should I have you step out of the vehicle now or radio for backup?”
Sunny sighed and wished she didn’t enjoy the way his jaw ground down on his gum when he was annoyed. “I get it. You’re still punishing me for trespassing on Janice Matteri’s property. But I thought we had a deal. I’m working on my end, I promise. Can you just...do what you’re going to do and let me go? I’m late as it is. My sister’s going to be pissed.”
Callahan sighed, his breath going to steam in the cold air. “Well, as long as you let me do what I’m going to do. Then I suppose I can let you go.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“What are you going to do?” Panic sneaked into Sunny’s voice. She wished she could take back all her sarcastic questions. What the hell was wrong with her? Callahan had already demonstrated he was not someone to be toyed with. “Wait.” She reached into the bag on the passenger seat and withdrew a bottle of champagne. “Here. Take this. To celebrate with your family.” She pushed it through the window.
Callahan took it and examined the label. “Are you trying to bribe me again, Sunny?”
“No, of course not.” Sunny started to sweat, right at the small of her back. “It’s a gift.”
He handed it back. “You know I like Scotch.” The detective leaned in the window, close enough Sunny could smell his aftershave. “Especially the expensive kind.”
“Well.” Sunny took the champagne and rested it in her lap. “You know where the expensive Scotch is. Feel free to come by, anytime.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Sure. I’ll keep it warm for you.”
Callahan considered the ridiculous suggestion of warm Scotch with a sly smile. He rose up and regarded her. “All right, Sunny. You enjoy your day. And drive safe.”
Sunny smiled over the heavy beating of her heart. “Thank you, Detective.”
“Sean.”
“Sean.” She watched him go back to his car, get inside and take off, well over the speed limit. Only once he was out of sight did she start her engine, raise her window and chuckle under her breath.
The dining room table had been draped in white linen and decorated with leafy centerpieces of yellow and crimson. A roast turkey sat in the center, surrounded by myriad colorful dishes, like waiting footmen. Green beans, cranberries, oyster stuffing, mashed potatoes and parsnips, corn pudding and at least three different kinds of bread—buttery rolls, high-domed white loaves and some kind of rustic baguette, still crackling. On the serving board near the bay window rested an assortment of pies, each one colorful and flaky and sporting intricate latticework. Everything you could possibly want to eat was on or around Constance’s Thanksgiving table.
Roger, closest to the stacks of plates, stared impatiently at the spread. He still wore his jeans and blue hoodie, but he’d shaved his face clean for the occasion.
“You know it’s just four of us, right?” Sunny set the two bottles of champagne—her excuse for going to check out the rottweiler—on the counter.
Constance shrugged. “I don’t know how to do less.”
Sunny felt a twinge in her gut. “Daddy would’ve loved it.”
“Roger loves it,” Roger said, and didn’t even crack a smile. “If that helps.”
Sunny sputtered a laugh. “Dude. You are not disguising your eagerness very well.”
“Oh, let the kid eat,” Constance chided. She nodded at the plates. “Take as much as you want.”
Just as Roger scrambled for a plate, Pete came in the back door, brushing off the cold. “That German shepherd you got is smart as a whip. Taught him a few basic commands in about an hour.” His sparkling eyes settled on Sunny. “You’re back.”
“Champagne.” Sunny waved toward the unopened bottles.
“Even though we have wine.” Constance narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
