Sherlock clears his throat. “You’re making a mistake but it’s not my circus, not my monkeys.”
“Oh well, look at the time. Spade, I believe it’s your turn to pick out a cold case. Talk next week. Buh-bye.” I hang up, unable to hear any more well-meaning advice.
They have no idea what I’m going through. I killed a person. I fell in love. He didn’t want me. My sister is perfect. One after another, waves of emotions pound into me. Gasping for air and drowning in turmoil, I pull off the road until my breathing returns to normal and the shaking subsides.
A panic attack? This has got to stop. I need to get my act together and prioritize. First and foremost, Iwillget my dating application up and running. More than the money, it’s a matter of pride.
Chapter 24
Cole
I haven’t had a drink at Two Brothers since the beer-in-my-face incident so when Danni’s sister, Mandy, invited me to meet her here, I almost refused. Why rub salt in the wound?
“Sit.” Eyes narrowed, she motions to the bar stool next to her.
“What can I do for you?” As I order an IPA and plunk my ass down, I hope my cool demeanor hides my nervousness.
The eldest Abbot sips primly on a glass of wine and sighs deeply. “I don’t have long. My husband has both kids waiting at Dom’s Pizza.”
“Okay.” I’m dying to hear how Danni is doing but damned if I’ll ask first.
Mandy seems to debate with herself for a moment, then swivels to face me. “It may be none of my business, but why didn’t you ask my sister to stay?”
“Who’s asking? You or her?” In my book, relationships are not a team sport.
She rolls her eyes. “Oh my God, you’re as bad as she said. No wonder she went home. Just answer the question.”
“Which was?”
“Forget it. Here.” She hands me a piece of paper.
“What’s this?” Turning it over, I read the web address,www.virtualTrueLove.com.
She slips off the chair and zips up her coat. “If you care about her, you’ll figure it out.”
“However.” She points a finger in my face. “If you ever tell her I gave you this, I will deny it to my dying day. Understood?”
I grin. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good talking to you.” She marches off, and chats with Charlene at the cash registers while she pays for her drink. By the way they glare, they don’t think much of me.
Because I’m on the clock, I wait until evening to fill out the site’s shitload of personal questions.
Realizing I’m missing gear, I call my collegiate brother. “I need a gaming headset.”
“Order one online, I’ll send you a link.” His irritation tells me he’s busy studying but this is important.
“I kinda need it now.”
“You can borrow mine but first, tell me why?” Oh no, now Mike sounds intrigued.
“No reason.” I sure as hell am not telling him I joined a virtual dating application so I can talk to Danielle. He’ll tell the rest and I’ll never hear the end of it.
My little brother sighs heavily. “Why don’t you just call her, man, and stop being a dick.”
“I’m working on it.”
“Listen, you snooze you lose. I saw where she already changed her relationship profile.”
