Sasha pulled herself together and made the introductions. “This is Detective Darius Silva. He’s working on my case. Darius, this is Bowen. He and his husband, Jake, own the gym.”
“Nice place.” Darius shook Bowen’s hand. Then his gaze shifted back to Sasha. “You said Squibb is outside?”
“And we’re here, too,” Megs said from somewhere nearby.
Bowen leaned closer to Darius, lowered his voice as if sharing a secret. “I’d like to see anyone get past Megs. She’s vicious.”
“I heard that,” Megs said. “And he’s right.”
Laughter.
It was fun for Sasha to see Darius on her turf. “Are you working out on the equipment or climbing?”
“I just finished that five-nine route in the middle.” He pointed.
“Okay. Let’s see it.”
In short order, Bowen set Sasha up with bubbly water and a chair several feet back from the base of the route. While Mitch tied in to belay Darius, Megs roped up on the route beside them with Nicole on belay so she could coach him.
“Why don’t you try the route marked with the red tape. That’s a five-eleven.”
Darius looked up at the route, uncertainty on his face. “Are you sure you’re not trying to make me look like an idiot?”
“Now, why would I do that?” Megs asked in a voice that left some doubt.
For the next hour, Sasha watched Darius climb, while Megs coached and she and Mitch called up advice.
“Get your center of gravity closer to the wall.”
“Left foot.Leftfoot. There you go.”
“Lean back and shake your arms out one at a time if you need to.”
On his third attempt, he topped out without hangdogging or falling. Sasha and Bowen applauded and cheered as Mitch lowered him to the mat.
Darius shook out his arms and flexed his fingers. “You all make this look so easy, but it isn’t. My arms are done.”
“It gets easier with practice.” Sasha stood, gave one of his forearms a squeeze, and found the muscles hard from exhaustion. “You are pumped.”
Megs untied herself. “Time for some food and drink.”
Sasha couldn’t help herself. Hand still on his arm, she gave him an invitation she was pretty sure he’d refuse. “Come with us to Knockers. Have dinner with us.”
His gaze locked with hers. “Thanks. I’d like that.”
Darius wantedto kick himself in the butt. He knew better than to hang out with Sasha and her friends, but he'd been high on adrenaline when she'd invited him. He hadn’t been able to look into those big, blue eyes and say no.
The parking lot at Knockers was full, so he found a spot along the street, parked, and walked to the front entrance. Bluegrass music spilled into the sunset as he opened the door. The place was packed, most of the tables taken, couples crowding onto the dance floor, not an empty seat at the bar.
Sasha stood with Megs and Mitch near the hostess station. She smiled when she saw him, speaking loudly to be heard above the music. “I'm so glad you came.”
“You’re here? Good. I’ll grab you a menu.” Megs started toward the back.
People called or waved to Sasha as she passed. She didn’t bask in the attention, but acknowledged them with that bright smile of hers, calling them by name, waving back. She was so at ease around people, so open and kind.
She’s everything you’re not.
“Good to see you, Sasha!”
