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Danielle took far too many shots of alcohol and I had to remind her she was drinking with her father and not her best friend. Then we strolled the town’s streets together and ended up at the cinema’s parking lot again.
By the time we got to the cottage, it was late, and Danielle sighed before she leaned back on her chair and smiled at me. “Tonight, was fun,” she said. “Tonight, was the best night I’ve had in a while, thanks, Dad.”
It was the same for me, so I touched her hand and nodded. “I hope we can do this again. I want us to.”
She nodded and moved to open the door and get out, but she hesitated a little and asked. “Did you mean it, Dad? Did you mean it when you said you fell in love with Leah?”
“Yes,” I answered without hesitating, I said the truth then, “She’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?”
Danielle nodded but stayed silent for a while before she shuddered. “It’s gross though. You and Leah … It’s never going to stop freaking me out. The worst part is I saw you two in a lip lock. I don’t think I can ever unsee that.”
I laughed at her statement, and she joined me in the burst of laughter. It flowed freely through us for a long time until Danielle bent and clutched her side. Loving Leah wasn’t something I had imagined at the start either, but now that I had realized my feelings, there was no going back.
“Goodnight Dad,” Danielle whispered after our laughter quieted down. She gave me a side hug and I kissed her forehead before she left the car and headed inside.
I stayed parked out there for a while after and stared at the bedroom upstairs till the lights came on. I wished I could speak to Leah before leaving, but she had completely iced me out when Danielle came back.
She didn’t take my calls or respond to my texts, and she hadn’t spoken to me since the visit from Trevor.
The next day after spending time at my office I finally had a lead on Delgado Thomas. I didn’t want to get the cops involved in this because I hoped I could resolve this issue and get Leah off the hook. If anything, she was a victim in this accident too.
All I had to do was figure out a way to prove it in court. If Trevor had slipped her the date rape drug at some point that night, then there had to be a witness. I just had to find out who it was and get them to say the truth.
Thomas Delgado was getting in his truck when I arrived there that morning, and he paused once I pulled to a halt by the side curb and stepped out of my car.
“Thomas Delgado?” I called in my loudest tone then slowly approached him. “I’m here to speak to you about a certain Miss Leah Maureen. I’m certain you know who she is …”
“Do you have a warrant?” he called back.
“No,” I answered.
“Are you a cop?” he questioned again.
“No … PI,” I answered before extending a hand for a shake.
“Then go away please,” he said before getting in his truck and driving away.
Chapter Twenty
Leah
I’minthekitchensitting with a bowl of overnight oats when Danielle walks in with her guitar. She was dressed in shorts and a flimsy top, and the hat on her head gave off a cowgirl look, so I smiled at her. “Going somewhere?”
“Belly Row,” she answered. “Cherry’s offering to pay me a few bucks to entertain the customers three times a day. Morning, afternoon, and of course before closing hours in the evening.”
“You’re going to let Cherry pay you to sing?” I asked with a short laugh, and Danielle shook her head before shrugging.
“Of course not, but I wouldn’t mind some scones though.”
“You know what, since scones are involved, I’ll come with you,” I said, then got on my feet, and followed her out of the kitchen. I used to love playing at Belly Row with Danielle back when we lived here and doing it again would bring back good memories of a long, forgotten past.
The strain in our friendship since she caught Tommy and me kissing that day was still evident. Danielle wasn’t a vindictive person, and we were gradually growing closer again even though I didn’t think she could ever forget about what she saw.
I can’t forget it either.Tommy is in my system, and I think of him morning, noon, and night even though I know it could never be. The last thing I want to do is make Danielle think our friendship isn’t as important. I need to stay away from Tommy!
By the time we arrive at Belly Row that afternoon, there’s a crowd of customers all in line to get some of Cherry’s famous scones. She has a small space in the left corner of the dining area, and Danielle walks over there first, so I follow.
I don’t have a guitar, so I plan to sing while Danielle plays. As soon as she smiled and handed me the mic, I cleared my throat and got everyone’s attention.
