“My dad’s Dr. Aaron Carmichael, a clinical psychologist and best-selling author of self-help books.” She shrugged. “It rubbed off.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously? Aaron Carmichael is your dad? I think my mom has one of his books.”
“Yeah. It wasn’t easy growing up with someone who had a rational explanation anytime I argued or had a temper tantrum.”
“Tantrum? You?”
She ignored his grin. “My dad is a pretty smart guy. It’s annoying to constantly have him on me about my unhealthy lifestyle and stunted emotional growth.”
“What’s unhealthy about you?”
“Hanging with Jed and Shannon all the time. Not having much of a life outside my job. Not dating since my last disastrous relationship.”
“Tell me.”
She sighed. “Do I have to?”
“Yes. We’refriends,” he emphasized, a twinkle in his eye that she’d help put there. “Plus, I spilled my guts to you, looking like a loser. You should do the same so I don’t feel bad.”
“Wait. I have to feel bad because you feel bad?”
“Yes.”
She laughed. “Fine. Not like I have anything to hide.”
“Sure you do. We all have secrets.” He tilted his head. “Yours have to do with books, for some reason.”
She flushed, her mind in the immediate gutter at thoughts of her and Mack reenacting what she’d just read. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’re blushing.”
“I met Sean downtown, at a community fundraiser.” She pretended not to see Mack’s smug expression. “He was handsome. He asked me out. I said yes. The sex was great.” She paused, forcing herself not to smile at the growing frown on Mack’s face. “Sean had money and liked to go out. A lot. He was a fun date at first. But then he kept wanting to change things about me. I like to dress up and look nice. But not all the time. And I’m not into being less so someone else can be more.”
“Ah, one of those, eh?” Mack shook his head. “I bet he was intimidated by you.”
“I think so too. It took a while though. Usually I can tell after a date or two if the guy can’t handle being with a cop. But Sean lasted months. He traveled a lot for his job, so maybe that’s why we were together for so long.”
“How long?”
“About a year. We stopped dating a year and a half ago, so no worries that I’m not over him or anything. I broke it off.”
“Poor guy.”
She snorted. “He grew to be a controlling asshole. Jed never liked him. Shannon thought he was okay, but that’s just because he was always on his best behavior around her.”
“She liked me.”
Cass frowned. “I attributed that to the wine.”
He smirked.
“Anyway, Sean thought we had to like the same things. Or, rather, thatIhad to like everythinghedid. At first, having things in common was great.”
“I can’t see that for you.”
“Why not?”
“You clearly love to argue.”
