“Good point.” He leaned in for another kiss, this one sultrier, then he gave me a swat on the behind as he pulled away. “Have fun with Jareth.”
“Why aren’t you worried about him hitting on me?” I challenged.
“Jareth has never hit on anyone as far as I know. Even if he did, you’re not his type.”
“Because he’s gay.”
Galen looked taken aback.
I patted his chest as I edged around him. “I really hope he can help me.”
“If anyone can, he can. My mother wasn’t any help?”
“She knew things, but when I questioned her — like how could they be sure Declan was the killer if they never found proof — she just shrugged it off.”
“We’ve all heard stories about Declan over the years. We were taught that he was guilty. I’ve never looked at his file.”
“Could you have a more thorough file than the DDA?”
“It’s worth a look. I’ll bring it home and we’ll go through it together.”
“You’re taking me out for a big dinner tonight, right?”
Galen’s lips swished. “Are you going to stay away from Wesley’s ranch for the rest of the day?”
“You’re extorting me,” I complained.
“I’m trying to keep you safe, and I’ll never apologize for that.”
“Well, the good news for you is that I’m not in the mood for an argument.”
He shot me an over exaggerated thumbs-up.
“I also can’t go cross over until I know exactly what we’re dealing with,” I added. “I might only have one shot to save Wesley. I’m going to make sure to give myself the best shot I can.”
“That’s smart, and I’m not just saying that because I’m desperate to keep you from crossing over.”
That made me laugh. “We’ll figure it out. I am feeling better at the thought that this creature — whether it’s Declan or not — won’t want to kill Wesley because he’s a bargaining chip. That’s all I have going for me right now.”
Galen nodded. “It makes sense.” He leaned in and pressed his forehead to mine, lowering his voice. “We’ll get him back. I promise.”
We both knew he couldn’t make that promise. Not realistically. I nodded all the same. “See you soon. You’ll be buying me a huge dinner.”
“Crab legs?”
“Only if you love me.”
He rolled his eyes. “Do you know what I don’t get?” he challenged as I started walking away. “Why you love crab legs beyond all measure but think fish tacos should be outlawed?”
“Beside the fact that fish doesn’t belong on a taco?”
He nodded.
“Fish is gross. Seafood is divine. I don’t know how the two are so close yet so different.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, Hadley Hunter,” he called out as I kept walking.
“You love me anyway,” I called back.
