“Not often, but he has before when Liberty and I were gone longer than we anticipated.”
“That sounds more like hecouldn’thold it than doing it out of spite,”Rafferty said as they drove to his condo.
“Maybe.”
“Still, we should check the place thoroughly to be sure. Idon’twant to find a surprise puddle or something elsewhenI’mwalking barefoot.”
Justus giggled.
“I don’t think that would be funny and neither would you,” he scowled.
“No. Iwouldn’t,”shemurmured, sinking back into the seat. She stole a look athimashedrove and sighed. Her insides felt like she had been on one long rollercoaster ride with her emotions.Firstwith that man trying to take For Allandthenshe’dmade the mistake of holdingRafferty’shand and looking into his eyes.It wasjustsupposed to have been an act, butshe’dfound herself wanting to kiss him.
Kiss him for heaven’s sake.
What in the world had she been thinking,lettingher mind wander there about him? Especially when it had only been the week before when shehadn’twanted anything to do with him.
She had to be losing her mind.
She’dnever been so thankful whenhe’dannounced thatthey were having lunch with Chaney and Rawlins. It had given her time to regain her composure beforehaving to go backto the condo alone with him. But now they were headed there,andshewasn’tsure she was any closer to being ready than earlier. Not when looking at him still made her insides turn to jelly and her palms sweat.
Chaney had been no help when she told her aboutthe dilemma she was facingwhile they were in the restroom.Her friend had only laughed and said she was in the same boat,butshewas handling it by flirting with Rawlins.
“How is he responding?”Justus asked.
“By flirting back, that tells me he enjoys it.You should tryit before you make a move on Rafferty. There is nothing worse than being rejected,”Chaney said.
Justus thought about that as she stole another glance at Rafferty as he turned into the parking lot outsideofthe condo complex. If she did start flirting withhim,she’dhave to do it subtlyorhe’dbecome suspicious.It’snot likeshe’dbeen doing that with him every daysoit would be odd if she started doing it today after their outing with Chaney andRawlinswhere it was clear the two of them had been flirting.
Yes. She’d have to play her cards right if she were going to take her friend's advice.
Rafferty parkedandthey headed inside. Justuswas temptedto walk ahead of him because she was anxious to see whether For All had had an accident while they were out or not. She was hoping hehadn’t. It would determine whether theycould leave him alone in the future.She was assuredof that fact. Rafferty was too no-nonsense to stand for any other way. But she stayed by his side.
He held the elevator door for her and then pushed the button to their floor.
“Lunch was good,”she said.
“Yeah, it was.”
“Thanks for calling Rawlins today.I’mglad we got together with him and Chaney.”
“I could tell,” he said, digging out the condo key from his pocket. “Be sure to give your sister a call if you haven’t lately. We don’t want her to worry about you.”
“Italked to her last night,”Justus said.
“You did?”
“Yeah. It was a short call.Shewas on a break.She’staken a job atGunny’sas a waitress, can you believe that? She helped RJ out there while searching for meandRJ decided to make her a regular on the schedule.”
“At least she has something to do with her time while Asher is on assignment,”Rafferty said.
“True. Butdon’tyou think it is a big leap from civil liberties attorney to waitress,”Justus said.
“It is only temporary. It’s not a career move,” he pointed out as the elevator doors slid open and stepped out. “And if she is enjoying herself I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
“Nextyou’llbe saying I need to get a job,”Justus said.
“No. I need to keep you safe.Idon’tneed to worry about you going to work andhaving to keepyou and your co-workers safeas well,”Rafferty explained.
