Page 4 of Worth the Fall

“Because I’ve never seen her react like that to a man before.”

“What do you mean?” Now I’m the one who’s curious.

“Hmm.” She eyes me cautiously.

“Look, there isn’t much eight year olds can do to hurt each other besides steal each other’s Legos,” I lie, damn well knowing what I did to Emmy was a whole lot worse than that.

“Did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Steal her Legos.”

“Jesus. Seriously?” I laugh, but it fades when I see that she is. “Perhaps. I don’t remember. Are you satisfied?” She purses her lips. “Now, are you going to tell me why you said you’ve never seen Emerson react to a man like that before, or are you just going to rake me over the Lego coals for no reason?”

A slight smile curls up one corner of her mouth, and she looks over to her friends, making sure they’re preoccupied with my partner before meeting my eyes again. “Em’s a confident and in-your-face woman. A flirt. A female who takes no shit and can give as good as she gets. Strong. But when she saw you? It was as if she was a different person all together. Almost like she saw a ghost.”

Funny, I felt the same way when I saw her.

“We knew each other in grade school is all. A lifetime ago.” I shrug, hoping the explanation is enough for Desi when we were so much more than classroom acquaintances.

“Okay.” She draws the word out, but her body language remains on the defensive.

“That’s it. I swear.” She moves her hands to her hips but doesn’t speak, so I continue. “It’s been over twenty years since we last saw each other, so I’m sure she was taken by surprise.”

“Well, you saw her. She ran away. It seems to me she gave you her own answer whether she wants to continue your little reunion or not.”

I nod, wanting to say so much more. Questions. Comments. Memories. All three collide, making me think she had the same reaction and that was why she bolted.

But my past is far different from her past.

Leave it be. Leave her be.

“You done chitchatting, Malone? We have a job to do.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I nod to Nate but hold up a finger before turning back to Desi. “Tell me something? Has she had a good life?” The question is out before I can stop it and is so very different from the one I had intended. I feel like a douchebag for asking, but I need to know. “Sorry. Never mind. Nice to meet you, Desi.” I smile and walk away.

I take about five steps before she speaks. “From what I know, she has.” I stop and look back to her. “The girl is a bundle of perpetual motion and laughter. Maybe it’s a cover. Maybe it isn’t. But it’s how she’s been since I met her ten years ago.”

“That’s good to hear. Thank you.”

“Why would you ask that?” She angles her head and takes a step closer.

“When we were little, she was that friend. You know, the one who⁠—”

“She’s that to me, too. I get it. No need to explain.” Her face softens, and her posture relaxes. “I can give you my phone number if you want.”

My smile shifts to a grin. “Uh, well⁠—”

“I’m not hitting on you, Officer Sexy. Although, while I’m sure you’ve charmed more than your fair share of women out of their clothes with your smile and uniform alone, you’re not my type.”

I choke on a laugh, loving this woman I’ve just met and her brazen personality. “My ego isn’t liking you right now.”

“Ego, shmeego.” She waves a hand at me in indifference before digging in her purse and pulling out a business card. “Go on. Take it.” She holds it out to me. “You know, just in case you change your mind . . . or if you want to check on her again.”

I take the card she offers, and with one last look that tells me somehow she understands, she turns to her friends and they walk away.

“You ready?”