Damien never thought much about getting married.He wasn’t against it, but he knew his job was hard for most women to accept.Being available constantly and having to drop everything to pick up a case wasn’t always easy.All of them had women walk away as a result of the job.
Watching Zeke, Austin, and Lance settle down had given Damien a little hope that maybe there were women out there who could handle it.And maybe the job didn’t have to take over their entire lives like it had for all of them.
“Do you want me to walk in with you?”Jude asked, yanking Damien out of his thoughts.
Damien shook his head.“No.I… It’s weird enough I’m showing up at her job when she never told me where she worked.I think if you go in there with me, it’ll be bad.”
Jude chuckled.“You sure know how to charm the women.”
Damien flipped off his partner and walked away laughing.Jude wasn’t wrong.But Damien hoped neither was Berkeley and when he explained his presence to Harmony, she wouldn’t think he was a freak.
The front door was open, giving Damien access to the building that housed the pharmacology department.The wide-open entryway was lined with rugs and opened up to a three-story atrium that carried every sound nearby.
“Do you need directions?”a mid-twenties guy asked from a few feet away.
Damien walked over to him.He had a messenger bag over his shoulder, a sharp look in his eyes, and a wariness that said he knew Damien didn’t belong.“I’m looking for someone.Harmony Gibbs?”
The guy’s eyes widened for half a second before he looked away and shook his head.“Uh, don’t know anyone with that name.”
“She’s a Ph.D.student here.”
The guy pursed his lips and shook his head again.“Nope.Not ringing a bell.Are you sure you have the right school?”
Damien started to argue, then realized what was going on.“Listen, I’m a friend.I’m not trying to hurt her or get anything from her.”
“I mean, that’s good, but I still don’t know anyone with that name.”
Damien stared at the guy for a few more seconds, then stepped back.“Got it.Thanks for your help.”
The guy nodded and watched Damien walk away.Damien turned and pushed through the door, walking outside before he turned back.The guy was still watching him, but the angle of his phone made it look as though he was taking a picture of Damien.
Damien walked back to the SUV, surprising Jude when he got in.
“That was quick.What did she say?”
“Nothing.There was a guy inside who told me she doesn’t work here.”
Jude shifted in his seat.“Do you believe him?”
Damien shook his head.“No.But she was on the news and given a million dollars.God only knows what wackos have shown up to see her.I found her info online without using any of our stuff.All her data is public.”
Jude winced.“Not good.”
“Yeah.I made a note to remove some of it, but there’s only so much I can do.”
“Without permission,” Jude said with a smirk.
Damien rolled his eyes.“I’m not looking to cross too many lines.”
“What’s the next step?”
Damien looked at the building.“I don’t know.I think the guy took my picture.Probably to show her who I was.I’m hoping she appears.”
“What if she doesn’t?”
“Then I keep trying.”
“Nothing at all creepy about that.”
