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Chad took the leaflet from Romeo and put it back in the drawer. “He’s probably gone anyway … did you think Gary was another man?”
“You know I did.”
“The angry scowl, puffed-out chest, and piercing eyes may have given it away.”
Romeo dragged Chad closer and wrapped his arms around him. “You can’t blame me for getting possessive when there are idiots like that barman who are so desperate to play the hero.”
Chad decided not to mention Dean had made an appearance at the station. One thing picked at him, though…
“What did you say to him before we left The Desperado?”
Romeo tightened his hold and nestled his nose into Chad’s hair. He took a deep breath and let go of all the tension in his body. “I told him it’s too late.”
“Too late?”
Romeo tipped Chad back and looked him dead in the eye. “Too late to save you.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Do you mind waiting? Keeley’s 4:00 overran.”
The receptionist looked up at Chad from her desk while digging her teeth into her bottom lip. When Chad didn’t respond, she released it and scrabbled for her computer mouse. “Or I can see if I can fit you in tomorrow.”
“I’ll wait,” Chad said, giving her a small smile.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded, backing up a step.
The receptionist leaned forward enough to point over her desk across the room to a stack of magazines on the table. “And the water cooler is to the right if you’re thirsty.”
“Thank you.”
He crossed the room and took a seat by the table. The magazines looking back at him were old, with worn pages, huge tears, and outdated gossip, but he searched through them until he found one he could read.
Your Dog.
Not a magazine Chad would ever purchase, but he snatched it up to pass the time and ignored the ache in his chest when he thought of Gary’s great big grey eyes.
He glanced up at the sound of a latch. Keeley’s door opened, and she led a woman out, sobbing into a tissue. Chad averted his gaze, focusing on the article. He didn’t read a word of it, just listened. Keeley shushed the woman, leading her outside with her arm tightly wrapped over her shoulders.
Chad tried to be subtle as he watched Keeley help the woman into an awaiting car. The receptionist was on her feet, gawping, all until Keeley turned back around. She slammed herself down on the chair so fast it squealed in protest.
Chad lifted the magazine, faking enrapture until Keeley came back in and stopped by his feet. “Chad.”
“Hey,” Chad said, slapping the magazine back on the pile.
Keeley glanced at the dog on the cover, then away again. “Ready?”
Chad nodded. “I’m ready.”
He followed Keeley into the office itching to ask if the woman was all right. Obviously, she wasn’t, but it was polite to enquire about somebody’s well-being,wasn’t it?
“Take a seat.”
Chad perched on the edge of the couch. “That woman?”
Keeley’s gaze cut into him. She seemed to sort through her words before replying. “It’s very raw.”
