Jesus Christ.I was having a heatstroke. That had to be it.
“Oh, hey,” Claudia said, flinching when she spotted me. “God bless Kelly Lakes. You run into everyone.” The corner of her mouth tipped up. “I didn’t recognize you without your badge, Sergeant.”
“You can’t escape anyone in this town.” I shrugged, no clue what else to say. There were women in the park today with a lot less on than Claudia, but I hadn’t given them a second glance. I hadn’t had an interest in anyone in months because I’d been too distracted by everything else. But this woman had distracted me from the moment our eyes had met, and the fight to tear my gaze away from her was as frustrating as it was embarrassing.
First, I’d thrown away her ticket, and now I was ogling her in front of everyone—including my father—despite my best efforts to look elsewhere.
“I’m sorry, the heat is making me forget my manners.” Claudia stepped up to my father. “My name is Claudia. I’m squatting at Peyton and Jake’s house for a while before I go back to Brooklyn. You must be a friend of…Sergeant?”
My father laughed, grinning wider than I’d seen him do in a long time as he stood.
“I’m Sergeant’s father,” he said as he took Claudia’s extended hand.
“So, he won’t tell you his first name either,” she replied in a loud whisper as she craned her neck in my direction.
“My mysterious son.” My father shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. “You can call me George, sweetheart. Very nice to meet you.”
“Same,” she said, and the same breathtaking smile I’d spotted moments ago spread her mouth and triggered a ridiculous jolt of jealousy because it wasn’t directed at me.
Yep, this was definitely heatstroke. I swiped my half-empty water bottle off the table and tipped it back, the water more tepid than cool as I drained it.
“In your son’s defense, we didn’t meet on the best terms.” Claudia turned to me, wincing when her gaze found mine. “I promise to go the speed limit for the rest of my stay here, and Peyton drove to the park today. I solemnly swear not to be a danger to any Kelly Lakes residents while I’m in town.”
I nodded, taking a half step back. I had the feeling if I got too close, she’d be a danger tome. The women I’d dated over the past few years hadn’t had me this out of sorts in only two meetings, and it was a flashing warning sign to keep my distance.
“We’ll let you get back to it. Looks like an intense game going on.” Peyton tipped her chin to the checkerboard on the table. “I think Jake said you’re working with him next weekend.”
I nodded. “Yes, the Brewers’ old house. Should be nice to get lost in cabinets for the afternoon.”
“I know he appreciates the help. I better go clean this one up.”
Her little girl scrutinized all of us as she gnawed on her fingers. Even she probably noticed I was acting like a gasping fish out of water.
“Nice to meet you, George.” Claudia squeezed my father’s shoulder and looked back at me. “And good to see you again under better circumstances…Sergeant.”
I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips as she followed Peyton.
“Well, that was interesting.” Dad snickered.
“Peyton’s friend is…attractive. I’m human and I noticed, so let’s leave it at that.” I climbed back onto my side of the bench and focused on the checkerboard. “Don’t make this a big deal.”
“No, Peyton’s friend is stunning. I’m also human enough to notice, but I didn’t have to wipe the drool off the corner of my mouth as I watched her walk away.” He folded his arms, still laughing at me. “Do you know the shit I’ve gotten over the years because you’ve never let anyone out of a ticket? Your uncle is still annoyed.”
“Uncle Bob had an expired inspection sticker, broken taillight, and believes that turn signals are optional. He thinks people should just move out of the way and that he’s better than everyone. Just because he has a cop for a nephew doesn’t mean he’s above the law, so I really don’t care if he’s mad at me or not.”
“How fast was Claudia going?” Dad narrowed his eyes at me.
“Doesn’t matter,” I grumbled, staring at the last drop of water in my bottle as I swirled it around, not wanting to look him in the eye.
“That fast? And you thought your Uncle Bob was more of a danger in his old Dodge than a woman racing down the highway?”
“Look, Dad…” I scrubbed a hand down my face. “I don’t know why I let her go. You’re right. It’s been a while, and I’m driving us both crazy by watching you every minute I’m not working.”
“Yes, you are. Which is what I’ve been trying to tell you for months.” The corner of his lips twitched. “I would have let her go, too, if I’d stopped her, if that makes you feel any better.”
“It doesn’t.” Dad and I shared a rare laugh.
“Go ask her out.”
