Page 23 of Slay Bells

“You know her?”

“A friend of a friend. I don’t think we ever had a conversation before.”

“Definitely didn’t have one now.”

Before he could reply, a different server, this time a guy, came to take their drink orders. Water for Jeremy and Gabriela ordered ginger ale. It was too late for caffeine.

“I can’t imagine any woman wanting to be part of what happened.”

Instead of replying, he took her hand and pulled it up to his lips. When he pressed a kiss to her knuckles, Gabriela slid down in the chair just a bit. “How about we don’t talk about the investigation and instead get to know each other?”

Where the night would lead was anyone’s guess. If it were up to Gabriela, they’d go straight to bed. A fling would be amazing. Except for the fact, she’d face his parents the next day. That put a big crimp in any notions of naked time.

“I am a Gemini, five feet five inches, not sure what I weigh and I love root beer floats.”

Jeremy laughed. “Okay, I’ll play along. Libra, six three, about one eighty and I also like root beer floats.” He chuckled. “Can I assume you’re single?”

“Yes. My last relationship ended about six months ago. I moved to the city, have a nice apartment, which is where I spend most of my time. The online magazine I work for has a small office space where we meet twice a week for meetings and if I want, I can work from there. And you? The lady that showed up the other day seemed a bit possessive of you.”

The server returned and both ordered hamburgers. Jeremy asked for an additional order of chicken wings for them to share. He was definitely boyfriend material.

“I’ve dated Cassandra on and off for a couple years. Earlier this year, we parted ways. We’re still friends.”

“With benefits?”

He let out a sigh. “What about your family? Any siblings?”

So yes, he and the woman hooked up at times. Interesting. He was good at answering a question by not answering. Gabriela smiled to let him know she got the message. “I have a brother. He’s a great guy. Older than me. He’s a thirty-something year old man-child who spends his free time golfing, sailing, hiking, anything that’s outdoorsy.”

“Sounds like someone I’d like to hang out with,” Jeremy replied.

They continued talking and asking each other questions. Gabriela had to admit, this was her best first date ever. Once the food arrived, neither bothered to play coy and dug in with gusto.

“Well this is interesting?” Cassandra had appeared at the table without either of them noticing she’d walked in. With one hand on her imaginary hip, she glared at Jeremy. “It would have been nice to be informed that my boyfriend is out to dinner and, oh, I don’t know perhaps invited along.”

“Could you give us a minute?” The woman finally looked to Gabriela.

Gabriela wanted to laugh and covered it up with a cough. She pulled the napkin up to hide her smile. This was way too dramatic to miss. “Nope, I am not about to let my food get cold.” She emphasized her comment by taking a fry and popping it into her mouth.

Jeremy on the other hand got to his feet. “What are you doing? I am not your boyfriend.”

“And what was that between us last week?”

“I was out of town last week,” Jeremy said, his jaw tense and eyes turning flat. Definitely the pissed off cop look.

“Whatever, the week before that,” Cassandra spat.

“I was out of town that week too. Convention in California for three weeks.”

Cassandra seemed to lose steam. Gabriela assumed picturing a calendar while being pissed was hard. “I tell you what. Keep this up and we’re over.” She poked her index finger into the center of his chest. “I am not about to make a scene this time.” She turned dramatically, flinging her ponytail in Jeremy’s face, and marched to the front door.

“I apologize.” Jeremy sat down and stared at his food. “I’m not sure what that was about.”

Gabriela swallowed the bite of hamburger. “She’s letting me know you two have a thing. Obviously, she can’t break up with you because y’all are already broken up, so instead she threatens to withdraw from hooking up. Oh, and the server that seated us called her.”

Jeremy stared at the ceiling. “This is embarrassing.”

“You must be good in bed,” Gabriela replied.