Cain found it odd that she’d made such a point of telling him no drugs were allowed at Peyton’s. That she was naïve enough to believe drugs hadn’t been the culprit in what everyone had just seen. Stressing that Earl was a good family man, as if drugs didn’t happen to good people and their families. She was right about one thing though. Drugs were everywhere. In fact, if this were any other time, any other place, any other case, he’d be putting her name on a Persons of Interest list, right alongside her company.
“JB said you hadn’t been able to reach Earl’s wife, Wanda, so the police have called Steven to meet them at the hospital. They want me to be there. See if I can pick up on anything that might point to where Earl got the dope.”
“Since you don’t work for Crayton Police, how can you be part of the questioning?”
“Can’t. But I can provide the police with a list of what to ask. Maybe I’ll even pick up on something in Steven’s answers. Something I’ve encountered before.” Cain tossed two fifties on the counter. “Does that cover it?”
Joanie waved him aside as she took the next customer in line. “Keep your money. You stepped up and took care of Earl tonight, that’s payment enough.”
“Thanks.” Cain sighed heavily as he pocketed his money. “I wish I could say Earl will be okay, but he’s not out of the woods yet.”
He moved in Betsy’s direction. She’d hoped he’d pay and leave. So much for hoping. Easing around to the side of the table, she spun the cue ball on the felt. He stepped up behind her, reached around and scooped up the ball.
“Hey!” She grabbed it out of his hand, then leaned away from his heat. Being that close had its effects on her, some of which she couldn’t control. Like the fact she found herself holding her breath.
She felt a hint of warmth rush to her cheeks and tilted her head forward, letting her long hair ease to the front to shield her emotions. Their silence carved its way into their space. A space so small, she couldn’t help but feel the change in the air as he slowly moved his hand in her direction. She didn’t flinch.
“Hey, yourself.” He gently brushed her hair behind her ear. “For a second there, I thought you were hiding from me.”
When she looked up, his lay-you-down look focused on her, and before she could stop herself, she felt the unconscious parting of her lips. She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
“What’s that for?” This time he was the one who stepped back.
She shrugged. “A thank you for what you did for Earl.”
“All in a day’s work.” His gaze skimmed across her face, finally resting on her lips. “I don’t know how long I’ll be helping the police tonight. Guess we’ll need to change my game winning dinner to another time.”
“That’s too bad.” Why the hell had she said that? She wasn’t a fool. Like it or not, the two of them had chemistry. Didn’t mean they had to act on the attraction. “I mean… Uh… That is…”
Cain grinned. “How about tomorrow night? I can pick you up about?—”
“I don’t think I feel like having fun after what happened here tonight.” At least she got that out without stuttering like a teenager on her first date. The idea of sitting across from him tomorrow night, or any night, for that matter, scared her senseless. Right now, she was feeling a little vulnerable.
“You’re right. How about sometime next week?”
For more than a moment, she let that idea float within her. Let the warmth and thoughts of what could be fill her with longing.
This past week had been hard enough, what with trying to keep herself from learning to like having him around. He’d showed up in her office at least once every day, usually two…three times. Made her smile. Made her laugh. Made her forget she had any qualms about being alone in the same room as him.
Then he’d cut himself on a piece of metal and she’d plunged into downright female panic mode. Got him ice. Got him antiseptic and a bandage and told him he needed stitches. She’d made a fool of herself. Never mind the fact Cain had let her take care of him like she’d been doing it for years.
That’s when she’d realized how much he affected her reasoning and reactions. “You know, it’s hard running a business on your own. And?—”
“Stop right there.” He popped the cue ball into the table’s side pocket, then stepped away from her. “Let me get this straight. First, you gave me a chance to win at pool tonight. Which I connect to our bet of me not asking you out again if I lost. Next, you kiss me. Now when I ask you out, you slam the door in my face.”
“I only gave you a little kiss on the cheek.”
“Coming from you, that was like a full-blown lip lock.”
Footsteps on the wood floor broke into their discussion, then Marcy stepped up next to her sister. “Good, you’re still here. I’m going to need a ride home since JB had to go the police station.” She glanced from Betsy to Cain and back again. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?”
“Nope. Not a thing. Your sister was just telling me how busy she is at Peyton’s.” Cain pulled his keys from his pocket. “Don’t worry, Betsy. I won’t ask again.” He turned to leave. “Good night, Marcy…Joanie.”
Marcy didn’t say a word, but the sideways tilt of her head said there’d be questions later.
After locking the door behind Cain, Joanie turned off all the lights except the ones near the counter. “What just happened here? I thought you and Cain were going to turn out to be the hottest item in town.”
Betsy pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail with her hands as she pinched her brows together. She had to be in control. Had to be on guard. Had to take care of herself. Wasn’t that what she’d done? Kept a safe distance between her and any feelings she might still harbor for the opposite sex. Especially Cain.
