“I don’t think so at all. You’re a homicide detective. That’s baller.”
“Not sure about that, but if you say so.”
“Tell me about the gnarliest murder you’ve ever worked on.”
“You don’t want to hear about that.”
“Oh, I really do.”
“Well, there was this one guy who was abducted by aliens, and when they returned him to Earth… they’d taken his most important parts, if you know what I mean.”
He stared at her as if trying to decide if she was for real.
Then she smiled, and he laughed.
“You got me for a second there.”
“What could’ve been the giveaway that I was messing with you? Was it the aliens?”
“You’re funny.”
“Nothing funny about murder, though.” When she thought of the many ways her mother’s murder had ruined her life and her father’s, she wanted to talk about something else. “So,” she said, “where’re you from?”
“Grew up in Springfield, Virginia, but I live in Arlington now. What about you?”
“Born and raised in the District and still live there.”
They chatted the rest of the way to Minneapolis, which made her almost forget she was on a plane. As the pilot announced their final approach into the Twin Cities, Jeremy held out his hand again. “You want to hold on for the landing?” After a beat, he added, “Since it’s your first time and all.”
“Sure, thanks,” she said as she accepted his offer.
Holding his hand felt different this time after spending a couple of hours getting to know him.
“Will you give me your number so we can get together when we’re back at home?”
“You want to get together?”
“Yeah, I do. Don’t you?”
After being intensely focused on her career for years, she had about as much experience with men as she had with airplanes.
“Don’t answer too quickly. You wouldn’t want me to think you like me or anything.”
She laughed. “I do like you, and yes, I’ll give you my number.”
He smiled, revealing that cute dimple again. “Great, now hold on tight for landing.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nick returned to the residence to check on the twins, who were feeling much better, thankfully. As he walked toward the family kitchen, he heard chatter that had him smiling.
Alden saw him first. “Nick! Did you hear we’re not sick anymore?”
“I did, and I’m so glad to see you looking much better.” Their cheeks were a little rosier than usual, but otherwise, they seemed to be in good spirits.
“Dr. Harry said we still need a lot of ice cream,” Aubrey said as she delicately dabbed a French toast stick in syrup. “And Nana said we could have French toast sticks anytime we want because they’re soft on our throats.”
“Nana is very wise.” Nick kissed each of them on the top of their blond heads and gave his mother-in-law a smile. “And Dr. Harry is the boss. If he prescribes ice cream, then that’s what we’ll have. How’s Nana holding up?”
