"Okay, so maybe I tend to be a slob at times. But you get what I'm saying. When Gretta and I are grilling steaks in the backyard, there's no reason either of us should have to change out of our sweatpants to enjoy it. I get that dressing up from time to time might be fun, but if you had to do it every meal, it wouldn't be fun anymore."
Amy cast a glance at him. "You two do that often?"
Franks laughed. "There it is. I was wondering how long it would take you to start questioning my relationship with Gretta."
"Relationship? It's now a relationship?" Amy's eyes widened.
"Friendships are relationships. You and I share several relationships. We're friends, we're co-workers, sometimes we're enemies."
"When are we enemies?" Amy's fingers left the keyboard, and she stared at him.
"Any time you think that I might be putting the moves on your precious sister. Admit it. I'm hardly the man you'd choose for her."
Amy sighed. "It's not that you're the wrong man. It's the fact that I don't think she's ready for any man in her life. She needs time alone to find herself again."
"It's been a few months since she left Colorado. I think she's had time to think things through. Besides, Gretta's a big girl. She doesn't need you looking out for her. She's smart and can make up her own mind."
"You're only saying that because you want her." Amy sighed. "Listen, I know nothing I say is going to change things. I'm getting used to the fact that Gretta and you spend a lot of time together. Let's just let it play out. You're right, I need to trust Gretta to know what she wants, and I know it might not sound like it, but I do trust you not to hurt her."
Franks was a bit shocked by that statement. He'd thought Amy hated the idea of him seeing Gretta. "Thanks for that."
"It's true. She could do a lot worse. Has done worse. Just remember she's rebounding and watch your own heart as well as hers."
"I will," Franks promised. The truth was, Gretta was just a friend. Okay, maybe a bit more than a friend. They'd shared kisses and had fallen asleep in each other's arms more than once, but they hadn't had sex. That was something Gretta had told him she wasn't ready for and he respected her for that. For now, they spent time together, enjoying each other's company. He gave her a place to escape when staying with her sister got to be a bit too much. He had no idea what the future held, and he had no expectations. He'd take it day by day.
"Looks like the media is still at the hospital." Amy closed her laptop as they neared the main parking lot.
"Vultures. They were stopping everyone who was in or out of this place last night. Didn't care if they'd been in the explosion. They were hoping to hear what was going on inside. I swear I'd arrest them if I could." Franks had no patience with the media. They made his job harder and poked their nose where it didn't belong.
"While I agree, there are times they're useful. Today is not one of those days. Hospitals should be signified no media zones if you ask me. I don't know why no one's ever made a law stating that. I mean, no one who is at a hospital wants a camera shoved in their face." Amy pointed in the direction she wanted him to go. "Park around the back. I know an entrance into the kitchen area where we can avoid the reporters."
"They won't mind us passing through the kitchen?" Franks was impressed.
"Not at all. They're used to it. It's just a short path through one corner where the dieticians are. We're not tromping through the food area."
"How do you know these things, and I don't?" Franks found a spot and parked.
Amy laughed. "I asked."
"Of course, it's that easy." Franks sighed as he got out of the car. "And you knew just who to ask?"
"I just asked one of the surgeons who had been involved in a case how they avoided the press, and he told me. I've used the back entrance since when the media is around." She shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.
Franks thought about how many times he'd had to pass through the line of reporters over the years. "You could have shared the info."
"Stick with me. I have all kinds of secrets." Amy winked as she tucked her laptop case's strap over her shoulder.
"Obviously ones you've kept to yourself," Franks grumbled as he followed Amy to what appeared to be a delivery area of the hospital.
"I've been working alone for a few years. I guess I never thought to share the information. Sorry."
"We do need to find you a new partner," Franks told her. Amy had been working alone ever since her last partner had retired. Due to funding, the department hadn't been actively hiring. Hopefully that would all change now that they were going to vote in a new mayor and replace most of the city council.
"God, wouldn't that be nice? I'm so tired of having to wait for you or Angus so I can do anything. We'd get so much more done if I had a partner and wasn't always tag-teaming with you and Angus." Amy knocked on a door marked deliveries, and it was opened by a young man in a security uniform. Amy flashed her badge, and the man waved her in with a smile.
Franks followed, showing his badge as he looked around the small hallway filled with offices. Just down the hall, he heard pots and pans clanging and could smell something that had his stomach growling. They quietly made their way through the area and to the elevators.
"Angus is in I.C.U., right?" Amy asked as she hit the call button for the elevator.
