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Jamie had hoped things would change, that his fellow officers would look at him and see more than a biker gang. They probably wouldn’t, but it wasn’t my place to shit all over his dreams like that. “Well, I like this place. Maybe I’ll find something as nice for myself.”
“You’re seriously thinking of moving out on your own?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll try not to take offense to your tone, Officer Ellison.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, Madds, but you’ve been there for a while, and I figured you had your reasons for staying.”
“I did have a reason. Molly. If searching for her is now a one-woman show, then there’s no need to stay. Is there?”
His gray gaze studied me carefully, trying to figure out what was truth and what was bravado. Instead of pushing, which I appreciated, Jamie shrugged off his concerns. “If you need help looking, I’m available.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind when I start looking.”
His thick brows pulled into a frown. “What’s the problem?”
“This isn’t your concern, Jamie.” He had enough to worry about starting a new job and working with the FBI; he didn’t need my problems piled on top of his.
“We’re friends, Maddie. If it concerns you, then it is my concern. Talk.”
I sighed, defeated in my attempts to keep him out of my messy life. “I make good money as a booker but not enough to get a fancy place and pay for a private investigator. Do you know how expensive those fuckers are?”
I had no idea, but the deposit up front was so much that my knees buckled. “So, I had to decide which is more important, and it was a no-brainer. Finding Molly is the most important.”
He nodded, sympathy shining in his eyes. “I get it.”
“I know.” All I could do was sigh my frustration and follow Jamie back to the truck to get another duo of boxes.
“I asked Savannah to see if she could find where Molly was last known to be alive. If I have to search every inch of this fucking state, hell the whole country, I will.”
He smiled over a desk lamp balanced on a box marked “text books.” “I have no doubt about that. Just remember, Maddie, you’re not alone. I have resources and not just money to help.”
I nodded and flashed a quick smile. Jameson had offered to help a few times, but I didn’t want to take him away from his job. But the more time that passed after Mueller’s death, the more I started to wonder if my sister even wanted to be found.
We finished that load and to change the subject, I said, “How about you use those muscles so we can finish unloading the truck? I was promised food for helping out and I expect to be paid. In full.”
Thankfully, Jamie took the hint that I was done talking about my problems. “Friends don’t bribe friends to help with something as basic as moving.”
“No,” I agreed. “They don’t unless the bribe was part of the ask for help, which makes it legally binding.” My stomach chose that moment to let out a growl of hunger. “See?”
“Your bottomless appetite is one of my favorite things about you, Maddie.”
I stopped and stared at him. “You really need to work on your compliment game, Jamie, because as far as compliments go, that one sucked.”
His deep laughter brought a smile to my face, the sound, so rumbly, reverberated deep in my chest—and other parts. “I thought it was a pretty good compliment.”
“Think again,” I said, unable to hide my giggle.
Eventually, we had all the boxes from the moving truck scattered all over Jamie’s condo, every single one in the room indicated on the box.
“Your organizational skills are one of my favorite things about you, Jamie.” Along with just how well he filled out a gray t-shirt.
“Thanks, I think.”
I laughed at his tone and made my way to the kitchen because that was the room to unpack first. It was where the food and coffee lived. I worked on my own for more than an hour while Jamie set up his bedroom, a place I had no intention of going if I could help it. The temptation was strong and, unfortunately, the attraction was even stronger.
“Ready to eat?”
“Holy shit!” I whirled around and glared at his stupid, smiling handsome face. “You scared the hell out of me, Jamie.”
He laughed. “Who were you expecting?”
I shrugged, still on edge while my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest. “Hell, I don’t know. Damn! You scared me.”
“Sorry.” He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight, and like the weakling I was, I leaned into that hug. I wanted the warm strength of his arms, his masculine scent invading my senses, and most of all, I wanted to hear the wild beat of his heart in my ear.
