Blue watched the reunions even though they’d likely had breakfast together. Leah practically glowed when Dan wrapped his arms around her and kissed her like he’d been gone for a year instead of a few hours.
“It makes you throw up a little in your mouth, right?” Nina whispered. “Mind you, I wouldn’t mind if Finch kissed me the way Dan is kissing Leah.”
“Ew, that’s gross,” Blue protested.
“He’s hot.”
“He’s my brother!”
“So?” Nina flicked her hair and moved forward.
Blue found herself standing near Dan and Leah as the music shifted into the familiar beat of the Grapevine Twist, and without thinking, the town began moving—left, cross, twist, clap.
A ripple of laughter followed as someone tripped over someone else’s foot.
Dan stepped beside Blue, deliberately taking her hand and pulling her into the pattern.
“Hey, Blue, nice sheet.”
“Hi, Dan. Are you going to interrogate me now?”
“Not interrogate,” he corrected. “Casually question.”
“Did your run go well?” she asked.
“It was hell,” he said honestly. “Sawyer bitching about old bones. Brody moaning about sore feet. When did my brothers get so old?” he shouted.
“You’ll get yours!” Sawyer yelled back, nearly colliding with Miss Jonas, the local vet and current girlfriend to Sheriff Dans, even though no one was confirming or denying it.
Dan’s attention shifted back to Blue. “So, how is he?” he asked softly
“I don’t know him that well,” she admitted. “But he seems good. Even though I’m carrying his child, we’ve never been close, Dan.”
“Sure, and I get that, but he would not have you in his house if he didn’t like and respect you, Blue.”
She liked those words. They made her feel better about living in Jay’s house.
“One thing you need to know about my friend,” Dan said, eyes sharp even while he danced, “is that he knows how to hide his emotions, Blue. I’m his best friend, and I still don’t know half of what goes on in his head.”
She thought about his childhood, and the half sister again. Jay should talk to Dan about that. It wasn’t her place to do so, she understood that, but he should talk to someone.
“I need you to push him, Blue, if you think there could be something between you. Because he needs that, or he’ll keep himself locked away. If you think he’s worth fighting for, then fight.”
“I promise, but I don’t know where Jay and I are headed yet,” she said, unsure what she actually wanted with Jay Haddon. “I know he didn’t tell you about the baby and me moving in, but don’t be angry with him, Dan. He needs you too.”
Dan stilled for half a beat before catching the rhythm again. His cop stare locked on her. “Is there another reason he needs me now, Blue? Not just the baby?”
She held his gaze. “Maybe you should ask him.”
Dan’s jaw ticked. “Maybe I will.”
The music stopped, and everyone moved to carry on with what they’d been doing before it started. Life resumed.
Blue followed her friends back inside the Gnat with Dan’s words running through her head.
If you think he’s worth fighting for, then fight.
Chapter 25
