Gah! He’s such a good guy.
Cooke takes my hand in his and tugs me out the door. When we get to his car, he walks me around to the passenger side, nudges my back against the door, and kisses the hell out of me. It’s been hours since he kissed me like that, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve missed it. Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull myself up to get as close as possible. When he pulls away, his face still looks stormy.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned.
“I don’t like the way that man looked at you.”
“Man?” I look right, then left. “What man?”
“The police constable.”
What’s a… “Oh, Gage?”
“Aye. The fact that you’re on first names with him drives me mad.”
“Cooke,” I say softly. “He’s just a kind man who was trying to help me.”
Mumbling softly, Cooke steps back and says, “Trying to get into your knickers, more like.”
It makes me giggle. “I heard that.”
“Good.”
Chapter Thirty-One
After the police station, I asked Cooke to take me home so I could shower, change, and pack an overnight bag. I also wanted to let the girls know I’d be gone tonight, and I hoped to catch Patsy so I could tell her and Susanna about the police station and Mr. Becker’s promise. I invited Cooke to wait for me, but he said he had a few things to take care of and he’d be back within the hour.
I wonder what things he needed to take care of. I could ask him, but that seems super intrusive.
True to his word, Cooke is now back to pick me up. A few of the girls are hanging around in the living room when he says, “You look lovely, Quinn. The blue looks perfect with your eyes.”
“Thanks,” I say with a smile.
“You do,” Of course Patsy would say that, since she helped me pick out an outfit that was dressy enough for dinner but could still be worn to rugby practice. What could be so versatile, you ask? Black leggings and a light blue tunic with black stitching details. I’ve also slipped on my black flats and grabbed my black purse. It’s not bad, at least compared to my normal clothes.
“I’ve packed clothes for tomorrow,” I add shyly, since I’m essentially telling him I’m sleeping with him again. I feel the heat of a blush spread over my face and neck.
“Good.” He smiles. “Did you tell your mates about the meeting earlier?”
“About Kara and Mr. Becker? Yes.”
“I hope he’s true to his word,” grumbles Patsy. “I’ve already talked to my mom.”
“It would be wrong and probably illegal for him to fire her for something she had nothing to do with.” I sound far more comfortable than I feel.
“What about the mold issue?” Cooke asks.
“I agree with you, Cooke,” Patsy tells him. “Mold is dangerous.”
I add, “Patsy’s going to call the landlord later.”
“Why not now?” Cooke asks. “We have a little time before we need to be back at the police station.”
Patsy nods. “Sure.” Searching for her phone, she finds it between two couch cushions. We sit silently as she searches for the number and then dials. “I’ll put it on speaker.”
I nod but remain quiet.
“Hello?” says a scratchy voice on the end of the line.
