She waves and takes off.
I glance at Payden. “What?” she asks.
“She seemed nice, but inviting her out?”
“Well, she looked like a sad puppy, what was I supposed to do?”
I sigh. “This is why I don’t have many friends. I’m suspicious of everyone.”
Payden laughs. “You’re cautious, and that’s okay. It’s the detective in you.”
“I can’t help it. Not that she’s suspicious, but you will take care of the injured little bird every time.”
“Well, I was alone in the city I grew up in for a long time. It was hard making friends.” She shrugs. “She seemed alright. I don’t think she’s a secret serial killer or anything.”
I instantly feel bad. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t meant to be criticizing. I’m sure she’s lovely. But I think showing my face at the Vault XL may be a little too much exposure.”
She looks at me, then bursts out laughing. “Too much exposure, as in strippers? Or as in you getting caught going inside?”
I bumper her with my shoulder. “Both.”
“I don’t know, Haze seems like he might be the jealous type when it comes to you.”
“Ugh, you have no idea. He threatened Connor in a room full of cops.” I shake my head at the memory.
“He’s a hothead, but that is kinda sweet. Have you heard from Connor sincethat day?”
We both know what day she’s referring to. The day he caught me and Haze in my office.
“No, thank goodness. I can’t believe he not only showed up at my ceremony, uninvited, but then came to my workplace after I dumped him.”
“What a creep. Some guys just won’t take no for an answer.”
“No, they can’t—” I squint. Is that a freaking NOLA Rebels prospect checking out my car?
Payden looks from me to where I’m staring, then tips her glasses down her nose. “Hey, Rip,” she calls with a wave, then to me. “He’s cute, but he’s at least ten years younger than me.”
“The more important question is what is he doing beside my vehicle?”
We approach and the prospect they call Rip looks a little… sheepish. “Oh, hey Payd.” His eyes dart to me. “Captain Willow.”
“It’s Sinclair,” I tell him. “What are you doing here?”
He palms the back of his neck. “I, uh, I was just checkin’ out the back of your SUV. I thought someone grazed it. Didn’t know the car was yours.”
My eyes widen, moving quickly to the back of my car. It needs a wash, but as I inspect the back, I see nothing. “What happened?”
“Like I said, I thought it got scraped, must’ve had a close call.”
I narrow my eyes. “Hmm, glad you were in the vicinity then, heaven knows whatcould’vehappened.”
“I know, right?” He flashes me a million-dollar smile that likely works on all the ladies.
Then I hear. “Here you go, bud, decaf soy latte with extra foam. Oh, hey Payden, Captain Sinclair,” Wheels says, his smile just as bright.
“Wait, you guys like Cafe A-GoGo too?” Payden asks, astonished. “I knew it wasn’t just me with those Brazilian coffee beans.”
“Oh, we love it,” Wheels says, handing his buddy the coffee. “When we’re in the neighborhood.”
