“You didn’t!” Sherry put her hands over her mouth. “So, what happened?” She whispered.
“The car was sitting right in front of the house.”
“Then what happened?”
“I pulled up alongside it and rolled down my window. He did the same and it was Ethan, just like I knew it would be.”
“Really? Did he say anything?”
I smiled. “He said hello and then I invited him inside.” I paused, deciding how much detail to share after that. Sherry looked decidedly scandalized at this news.
“You did what? Well, you didn’t waste any time.”
“Sherry! It wasn’t like that, let me finish.”
“Okay.” Sherry looked at me with suspicion. “Did you kiss him?”
“No, well yes, but not right away.”
“So, what did you talk about?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t know, everything.”
“Did you tell him about your accident?”
“Yes, and no.”
“Kay, there is a lot of yes and no’s in this conversation?” It was beginning to feel a little like an interrogation.
“I only told him that I had been injured and it was bad. I didn’t share any other details.”
“Why not?”
“Didn’t seem like first date conversation.”
“Okay I get it.” She nodded.
“I mostly told him about taking over the company and that sort of thing and he told me about what he had been doing for the past six years.”
She nodded.
“I just have one question.” She said.
“What’s that?”
“What about the NCIS Director?” She nailed it.
“Yeah, I don’t know.”
“Well, don’t you think you should let him know?”
“What do I say? Hi, how’s it going? By the way I’ve reconnected with someone, so I won’t be calling?”
Sherry gave me an impatient look. “You know that is not what I meant.”
“I don’t know what I will do about Mac, if anything. I mean it isn’t like my phone is ringing and so it might be a non-issue.”
“Do you really believe that?” Reality check.
I knew deep down I didn’t. I knew this was the sort of mess I normally got myself into, so no need to think it would have an easy solution.
Chapter Eighteen
Ethan
Having Kay back in my life changed everything. I felt alive. I felt energetic. I stopped for my usual cup of coffee at the Island Cafe and took time to notice the people around me while I waited. A man was in the corner reading on a tablet and ignoring those around him. A table with four retirees laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Several people in suits waiting impatiently for their orders. I smiled and tipped the barista and headed to the office.
“Morning.” Logan said with a smile.
“Morning!” I returned the greeting and headed for my desk.
“You look,” Logan paused. “relaxed.”
“Do I?” I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
“Yeah, like maybe you got some sleep for a change?” he replied.
“Hmm.” I tapped away at my keyboard.
“Morning all.” Jared came in carrying a bag. “I stopped and got bagels.”
“Good man.” I smiled.
Jared did a double take when he looked in my direction, but he kept his thoughts to himself. I saw him look to Logan for an explanation. When none came, he set the bagels down in the kitchen and returned to his desk.
Stephanie was next, our resident morning person couldn’t get under my skin with her exuberance today. In fact, I found her attitude refreshing to the cynical duo of Logan and Jared.
“Morning, Stephanie.” I greeted her.
She rewarded me with a huge smile.
“There’s bagels if you want.” Jared announced.
“Oh, fabulous. I was running late so I skipped breakfast and I’m starved.” She turned and bounced into the kitchen. “Anyone else?”
“Yeah I’ll take one.” I called out.
Stephanie smiled.
“Do you have a favorite?”
“No, I’m good with anything.” I called back. A few minutes later she bounced back out of the kitchen carrying two small paper plates each with a bagel. She walked over and set one down on my desk.
“I added cream cheese, I hope that is okay.”
“Perfect.” I said nodding to her.
Logan and Jared exchanged looks. We all worked on our respective cases until noon.
“Why don’t we all take a break and go out to lunch.” I suggested.
They all looked up at me; it was Logan who scowled.
“Sure, what did you have in mind?” Jared asked.
“It’s Friday and I thought we’d all go out after work.” Logan suggested. I knew what he was doing. He had no such plans.
“Well, I thought all you young folks would have plans on a Friday night, so I thought we’d head over to the Dockside and have lunch.” I smiled thwarting Logan’s plan for digging up information.
“I’m in.” Stephanie stood up and grabbed her purse. Jared followed suit.
I stood up and took my service weapon out of the locked desk drawer and put it on my hip. “You coming, Logan?” I asked.
I thought for a minute he might say no, but he stood up with some reluctance and joined us.
The Dockside was one of the best seafood restaurants in town if you weren’t into the five-star scene. It wasn’t fancy but the seafood was fresh, and the fishing boats were actually docked at a pier behind the restaurant. The place had checkered tablecloths covered in plastic. If you ordered a soda, it came in a can and if you wanted it in a glass you poured it yourself. The prices were right, and you could enjoy a cold beer with your meal if you chose. The owner used one of those old coolers that ran cold water through it to keep the bottles and cans extra cold. It was better than a draft beer.
We found a table in the corner and seated ourselves. The place was packed, and the waitresses were running back and forth their arms loaded with more plates than I would have thought possible for one person to carry.
“This might take a while, boss.” Jared said looking around.
“No problem.” I smiled as a waitress approached the table.
“Ya’ll know what you want to drink?” she asked.
“I think we’ll have sweet tea all around.” I said, knowing that is what the
