“Would it be possible to meet with Ms.Jameson?”Atticus asked, unable to think of anything else to say.Now, he wondered whether that was confusing.How many Ms.Jamesons worked there?One?A dozen?He knew it was a big family because he’d been in Coyote Ridge long enough to get the gist.Between the Walkers and the Jamesons, they made up probably half the town.Maybe more.
And to think, Atticus was dating one of each.
Enough of that, he mentally chastised.He was there to do a job, not to think about being sandwiched between a Walker and a Jameson.
Shit.
Rose’s soft yet authoritative voice pulled him from his thoughts as she came around the counter.
“Let me show you to her office.”She paused beside him, clearly expecting him to fall into step.“You’re Slade’s new roommate?”
“Uh…” Atticus swallowed hard.“Yeah.I … Yes, ma’am … uhm…”
“Leave him alone, Mama.”
“What?I’m allowed to get to know my son’sfriends, am I not?”
“Mama,” Slade drawled in warning.
They navigated a maze of hallways, and Atticus suspected Rose had taken the long way in order to chat him up.
“How long have you been working for the task force?”
“Since May, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Rose.”
Yeah, he wasn’t sure he could do that because, for some reason, it sounded likeMamain his head.Weird.
“And how long have you been Slade’s partner?”
He got the feeling her definition of partner leaned more toward the intimate interpretation, but he kept it professional.“Only for this case.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She chuckled softly, then guided them down another hallway before pausing in front of a closed door with a placard that read CALLIE JAMESON, PRINCIPAL.
“Here we are,” Rose said, opening the door.“Callie’s takin’ care of something, but she should be back in a few minutes.You boys can wait inside.”She looked at him.“It was very nice to meet you, Atticus.I look forward to havin’ you to the house for dinner.”
What now?
“Mama,” Slade hissed.
Her gaze slowly slid to Slade.“How about Friday night?”
Slade didn’t answer, which caused his mother to look at Atticus again.He held his breath, not sure what to do or say.That whole running and crying thing was sounding better and better.
“Will that work for you?”
He found himself nodding, and he wasn’t sure why.
“Perfect,” she said sweetly, then stepped aside so they could walk into the principal’s office.
When she was gone, Atticus turned to Slade.“What just happened?”
“It looks like you’re havin’ dinner with my folks on Friday night.”
