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“And why is that?”
“Because he just walked in.”
Again?
* * *
She tooka moment to catch her breath and to try and quell the tingling and electric buzz that had suddenly filled her body before slowly spinning around to face the entrance side of the bar again.
“Back so soon?” she said as evenly as she could, even though her pulse was pounding. She could feel it.Everywhere.
“Hi Bloom, Mack. Yes, uh, I guess I’ll get right to it.”
He was dressed business casual for a change, but the well-fitting slacks and button down only seemed to heighten his effortless grace. His muscles rippled beneath the taut fabric. She couldn’t help notice how everyone in the room turned to look in his direction. He had an effortless charisma.
Dammit. What is it about him?
Focus, Bloom.
“Is this about Marius again? Did you find something out?”
“Yes and no,” he said as he strode up to the bar.
“What does that mean?” Suddenly, she was very aware that as luck would have it, the very much underage and out-of-place Kim had chosen that moment to clean up behind the bar. She remembered what Chris had said too.No police.
Ignore her and hopefully he won’t notice.
“A man was brought into the hospital the other day. It seems he got knocked out while attempting to abduct some woman. Got a good dose of pepper spray in his eyes too.”
Oh shit.The phrase went through her mind for the second time in probably as many minutes.Stay cool.
“Really?” she said, in her most innocent voice, as she tried to casually move a bit to the left to better block Kim from his view.
Something seemed to catch his attention.
Dammit. Relax, Bloom.
“Yes. Are you feeling okay? You are almost being nice to me,” he said.
She laughed, a little relieved.So, he hasn’t noticed.
“I guess I’m losing my edge. But seriously, I know you have to do your job. No sense in my making it any harder than it has to be,” she said.Actually true enough.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mack stealing glances as he made a show of sweeping up some non-existent dirt nearby.
Just for a moment, she locked eyes with Dax.
Oh, don’t do that.She looked away almost immediately.No no no.She was having enough trouble keeping her body under control.
“So, how can I help you?” she said, again reverting to her best professional tone. This was the voice she usually reserved for difficult clients and business contacts who got a bit too familiar.
He pulled out his phone and held it up. “Have you ever seen this man?”
“May I?” she said, gesturing if it was okay if she took the phone to get a better look.
Oh shit.
I think I’m gonna need a new curse word.
