AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"There don't appear to be any immediate connections between them," Fiona explained. "They lived in different areas, worked in different fields, and didn't seem to frequent any of the same places. They were strangers."
"It sounds that way," Jake said. "There might be something else connecting them, something we haven't figured out yet."
As Jake drove, he stole a glance at Fiona as she continued to read through the files. She seemed quiet, her mind preoccupied. He wondered if it was about her recent breakup, but then again, he was pretty sure her missing sister was more important.
It was still awkward for him that they hadn't discussed it. All the details he had about who Marissa was and who Joslyn was, had come from Chief Whittaker.
"Hey, Red?" Jake tentatively said. He didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but he wanted to clear the air. "I've gotta ask, why didn't you tell me about your sister?"
Fiona's face flushed, and she turned to the window as Jake geared around a corner, navigating the suburban playground that was this neighborhood.
"I wanted to," she murmured. "I wanted to ask for your help with Joslyn so many times, but it didn't feel right. I mean, her case was cold, and I have no authority to look into a crime like that as anything more than a concerned sister and citizen."
"But you still called me when you found out Marissa was involved," he said. "Why?"
"I knew you'd know what to do, that's all," she said quietly. "I should have told you more then. I owe you more explanations."
"It's okay," he quickly said. The last thing he wanted was to pressure her. "I figure we can talk about your sister when you're ready. I'm just glad you trusted me enough to call me."
Fiona offered Jake a quick smile that made his face tingle. She really was beautiful, especially with the sunlight through the windshield lighting up her amber eyes hidden beneath glasses. Her red hair shone like a jewel.
He focused on the road, trying not to get any ideas. He'd already messed up by kissing her before, and she was going through a breakup. It was a bad idea to have those thoughts about her.
But, to his surprise, Fiona said, "I, um... I told you I broke up with Mark."
Jake nodded. "Yeah... you doing okay?"
"I am," she said. "Mark was very overbearing. I had wanted to end it for some time."
"I hope it wasn't because of me," Jake said, referring to the kiss. "Because of what I did."
"No," Fiona said, sinking in the seat.
It felt hot and stuffy in here, and Jake felt the need to crack a window and let some airflow in.
"He was too much," she said. "It was more than... that."
He knew they needed to talk about the kiss. To clear the air on it. Jake wasn't even sure how he felt about it--he'd been caught in the moment, unable to deny his attraction to Fiona. It had just sort of happened.
And he felt bad about it; he really did.
As much as he did like her, he didn't want to confuse her. She deserved more than that.
"I'm really sorry about that, Red," Jake said, his voice quiet and low.
Fiona's eyes snapped to him. Jake focused on the road, slowly moving up the sunny street.
"Why are you sorry?" she asked.
"I shouldn't have done that," he said. "I shouldn't have kissed you."
Fiona's expression softened. "It's okay, Jake," she said, shaking her head. "I didn't mind it."
Jake's heart skipped a beat at the admission. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? He risked a glance her way, but her eyes were focused on the road ahead.
"I just don't want to complicate things," Jake said, his voice low.
Fiona was quiet for a moment, and Jake was afraid he had upset her.
