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“What’s the catch?”
Barb just smiled back at me. “I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.”
Just then the door to the diner opened and closed, sending a gust of wind in my direction. Senses tingling, I looked up and spotted the last person I wanted to see at the moment.
“You, again,” I muttered under my breath. Barb looked behind her spotting Jack, whose attention was fully locked on me since he’d first stepped foot inside.
“I’ll set up the next planning committee meeting and will call you with the details.” Barb knocked on the table, got to her feet and left me alone in the booth just as Jack arrived. I watched as he pulled off his police hat, setting it on the table before running a hand through his wavy hair.
He motioned to the now vacant seat across from me. “Mind if I take a seat?”
I sighed, looking up at him through my lashes before assuming my best professional smile. The one that didn’t make the little lines around my eyes crinkle.
“By all means.” I gestured to the empty spot.
As soon as he got comfy, I reached for my purse and stood.
“It’s all yours,” I said, giving him my best saccharine smile. Digging through my purse, I found a twenty and put it under my plate to pay for my pie and coffee. It was far too much money, but I didn’t want to stick around to collect the change.
Just as I started to walk past Jack his hand reached out, grabbing my wrist.
“Please don’t go yet.” There was a note of something unidentifiable in his voice. For a split second my body started to move back to the booth. I wanted to hear what he had to say. I wanted to be near him. To learn about his life. About what happened that night all those years ago. To tell him I loved him and yet I hated him for what he did to me.
Then I remembered my pledge to stay away from Jack.
That thought grounded me and I rolled my shoulders back.
“I have a lot to do and a police report to file, don’t you remember?” I tugged my hand and he let me go.
I kept my head high as I walked out of Barb’s more confused than ever.
Chapter 8
Jack
I watchedas Whitney walked out the diner, never once turning around to give me a second glance. Her game of hardball would prove challenging, but I could handle it.
Two seconds later Barb returned, a slice of Boston cream pie in her hand.
I brought my hand to my chest and flashed her a smile. “You certainly know the way to my heart.”
She pretended to swoon, just like she always did. I’d eaten pie for free at Barb’s ever since I won the state football championship back in high school.
“What’s going on with the two of you anyway?” She motioned her head towards the door. “You used to be thick as thieves.”
I played with my fork. “Hell if I know. She refuses to talk to me.”
“Well, I’m sure you will figure it out.” She patted my shoulder before tending to her latest customer.
I dug into my pie, just as my police talkie sounded. It was the station calling for me.
“This is Montgomery, over.”
“This is Kurt, over.”
I huffed. “I know it’s you Kurt, what’s the situation? Over.”
“Oh, right.” He laughed. “Well, I have someone here at the station who wants to talk to you and only you.” I sat up a little straighter wondering if Whitney had somehow made it to the station in record time.
