“If he’s a good-looking blond guy, looks like a weightlifter, then it’s the real thing. It’s Hunky.”
Jason glared at her. “You got a thing for your FedEx man?”
“No, but he’s fun to look at.” Sue walked over and peered out the window. “It’s him.” She slipped the tampon in Jason’s shirt pocket and opened the door. Jason stood back and listened.
“Hi there, Beautiful,” the FedEx man said.
“How are you, Hunky?”
“Still heartbroken, since you refuse to go out with me,” the FedEx man said. “I could really help you on those…those sex scenes.”
Jason stepped beside Sue in the doorway. Mr. FedEx’s smile shrank a notch.
Yanking away his clipboard, Jason handed it to Sue. “Sign it so this guy can go try to pick up his next customer.” He reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out a pen, forgetting the gizmo was an electronic board.
Sue stared at his hand and grinned. “I…think that one’s out of ink.”
Jason looked down at the tampon. The FedEx guy laughed. Jason tossed the tampon over his shoulder.
Sue signed the clipboard and handed it off. The FedEx guy gave a two-finger salute and left.
As Sue shut the door, Jason glared at her. “Does that asshole always hit on you?”
“I’ll bet he’s wondering if you always carry unwrapped tampons in your shirt pocket.”
“Funny,” Jason said.
“Yeah, it is kind of funny.” Sue focused on the envelope. “It’s from Melissa. It’s probably a copy of my book’s new cover. They misspelled my name and had to completely redo it. Melissa posted it on my website.” She ripped open the envelope and gave it a quick glance. “Do you want to read the real thing instead of the manuscript?”
“Sure.” Jason shot the door one more glare before taking the novel. He studied the cover, a dead rat in the forefront, but in the background there was a small blonde half hidden behind a door and staring out. “I like it.” He stared at the book, then raised his gaze, realizing why he liked it. “It’s you.”
“What’s me?” she asked.
“The girl on the cover. It’s you. Well, it looks like you.”
“No, it…” Sue pulled the book from him. “It’s not.” She frowned. “Crappers. It does look like me, doesn’t it?”
“Is that bad?” he asked.
“Yes. I don’t want people to think I’m so conceited that I want my own picture on the cover. And besides, my heroine in that story didn’t look anything like me.” Sue tapped her finger against the book. “I knew I didn’t like that cover artist. I’ll bet you fifty bucks he did this because I didn’t want to bang him. I’m calling Melissa, and if she’s behind this, I’m firing her.”
Right then Jason decided that Sue’s editor—who still hadn’t returned his calls with contact information on the cover artist—would be hearing from him again.
Several hours later, Jason looked down the hall to where Sue was holed up again. He left his third phone message for Sue’s editor, hung up, then redialed her agent. Both he and Sue had talked to the woman briefly. The agent/publicist vowed she hadn’t known about the cover and said she’d check into it, and she’d promised to get back to Jason as soon as she knew more. Of course, her “soon” didn’t match Jason’s. The phone rang for the sixth time and Jason disconnected.
Hitchcock dashed from the sofa and did figure eights around Jason’s legs. Jason closed his phone and leaned over to stroke him. The cat, knowing there were other felines in Sue’s study, seemed pretty put out. Jason sympathized. He was feeling pretty put out himself.
Sighing, he picked up his case folder and stared at the names of suspects. His phone rang. “Jason Dodd,” he answered.
“Yes. My name’s Carl Jetton. I’m Sue Finley’s editor.”
At first the guy sounded annoyed, but when Jason explained there had been threats made, Carl changed his tune.
“Look, you can speak to my assistant editor,” he said. “But I can tell you he didn’t do any of this stuff. He could use a dose of tact with my authors, and I know he’s gotten rude with Sue. However, when I called him on it, he did apologize. He’s just young and arrogant.”
“Has he been off from work any time this last week?” Jason asked.
“No. He’s here from eight till almost six every day.”
Jason reached for Sue’s book and stared at the cover. “Were you aware that the cover artist—I believe Ms. Finley’s agent said his name was Michael Braxton—put Miss Finley on the cover?”
“Look, I’ve already heard an earful about that from Sue’s agent, and yes, it does sort of resemble her, but frankly I think it’s just a coincidence.”
Jason didn’t believe in coincidences. “And what’s Mr. Braxton saying?”
“I had my assistant try to reach him but couldn’t. Honestly, I don’t know him that well. He’s contract and works out of his home. This is the first job he’s done for us. But…the guy was recommended by someone we use. He wouldn’t be stalking an author.”
Jason frowned. “I heard he hit on Ms. Finley when she was up several weeks ago, and he seemed upset that she wasn’t interested.”
“Hey, have you met the author? She’s gorgeous. The guy’s single. Hitting on her isn’t a crime.”
It was to Jason. “I’d still like to talk to him.”
“Fine. As soon as I get him, I’ll have him call you.”
Jason set Sue’s book down. “How about giving me his number?”
“I don’t have that on me, but I’ll have someone get it for you.”
“Great.”
“It’ll be tomorrow.”
Jason frowned. Hitchcock jumped up, landing with a thud on the family jewels. Jason grimaced, resettled the cat in his lap, and started rubbing him behind his ear. “Just get it to me as soon as possible.”
As Jason hung up, he looked down at his list of suspects. His gaze returned once again to the name Benny Fritz.
“What do you say?” he asked the cat. “Is Mr. Leather Loafers our guy?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” Sue wiggled her toes. It was almost eight on Wednesday night. Jason had picked the restaurant last time, so to night it was her choice. She’d chosen one of her old stomping grounds. Though why she’d chosen it still gave her pause.
“Yup, I’m starving, too.” He stopped the car at a red light and looked at her.
She knew what he wanted wasn’t just food. How long am I going to have to wait? he’d asked.
If this afternoon was any indication, not long. She’d already given in to his kisses, his touches…and was considering giving in to much, much more.
“There it is.” Sue pointed to the flashing neon sign. She noticed Jason’s gaze on the rearview mirror. “Are we being followed?”
“No, I’m just checking.” He pulled into the parking lot and looked up at the sign. “We’re eating at a dance hall called the Fuzzy Duck?”
“Don’t judge a book by a title. I…I used to come here a lot.”
A smile brightened his eyes. “You going to dance with me?”
She thought about being in his arms, moving against him as some slow song played in the background…and shook her head. “No, we’re here for the food.”
They walked in. The atmosphere was dark and honky-tonkish, but Sue remembered it fondly. A wave of old memories moved over her. Memories of her and Collin. Sue waited for the pain to follow, but amazingly, only nostalgia lingered.
“How did you find this place?” Jason asked after they were seated.
“I stumbled across it when I was writing my first book. My hero was a country-western singer, and Collin and I came here every Friday so I could soak up the ambience. Even when I finished the book, we kept coming for the food and music. We even got pretty good at line dancing.”
Jason stared at her, an odd expression on his face.
“What?” she asked.
He shrugged. “It’s the first tim
e you’ve said anything about your ex to me.”
“He’s not my favorite subject.”
“But it sounds like you were happy—for a while anyway.”
The question tumbled around her head. “It wasn’t all bad.” Sue glanced at the menu, surprised by this truth.
“I think I liked it better when I thought it was,” Jason grumbled.
She looked over the menu at him. “I didn’t picture you as the jealous type.”
“Neither did I.” He frowned. “Which steak is it that you recommend?”
She and Jason devoured their dinners before the band started. The steaks were as good as ever. The house red wine complemented the beef’s peppery seasoning, and Jason cleaned his plate and managed hers as well.
He asked if she’d be mad if he ate some of her fries. She laughed. “I told you it wasn’t about the fries.”
“Yeah, but the last time I ate them I ended up in all kinds of trouble. Got whacked by a grandma with a cucumber.”
When their plates were cleared, he ordered a chocolate cream pie for dessert.
“Here.” He handed her the spoon when the pie arrived.
Sue stared at the meringue and thought about the calories. “No, I’ve eaten way too much chocolate today.”
He frowned. “I only ordered it to watch you eat it. What you do with a spoon and dessert is sinful.”
The heat in his eyes told her he spoke the truth. It also told her he relished sinning.
“Okay, I’m adding dessert pervert to your list of issues.”
“Hey.” He shrugged. “You and chocolate do it for me.”
“Well, you’ll have to settle for just chocolate. I’m stuffed.” Sue picked up her purse and placed her credit card on the table. “I’m paying, but I’m going to the restroom.”
He caught her around the waist and pulled her close for a kiss. A soft, wet kiss. Then he pulled her down for another one. Realizing how easy it was to just let go and let this happen, she pulled back. What exactly was she willing to let happen?
Not “it.” No, she was just flirting with the possibility of letting “it” happen. There was a huge difference.
But did he know the difference? She dropped back down in her chair.
“What is it?”
Sue bit down on her lip. “I’m having fun. This”—she waved a hand between them—“is fun. But…”
“But what?” he asked.
“I don’t want you to think that I’m…that I’ve completely changed my mind about…you know. Us.” She needed more time. “Us now,” she continued. “Especially us tonight.”
His brows knitted together. “Let me see if I can translate that.” He paused. “You don’t want me to think I’m getting lucky to night.”
She felt herself blush and looked around to see if anyone had heard. No one seemed to be listening. “Right.”
“I was afraid that was what you meant.” He leaned back and stared. Then he leaned back in. “I don’t get what you’re waiting on. I—”
“I shouldn’t have ever let you kiss me. I—”
He caught her hand. “Can I finish?” When she closed her mouth, he studied her. “Answer me this. Am I closer to getting lucky than I was, say, last night?”
She couldn’t lie. “Yes.”
He smiled a warm, sexy smile. “Then I guess I’ll have to be happy with that.”
“You can accept it?” she whispered.
“I told you before—I’ll always respect if you say no.”
She sent him a questioning look through her lashes. “But you’re still not going to stop trying?”
“Oh, hell no.” He grinned. “Not when I know I’m getting closer.”
She rolled her eyes, but deep down she felt a tiny thrill. “Well, it’s not going to happen to night.”
“The night’s young.”
Her thrill faded a bit. “This isn’t a joke. I’m trying to be serious. I don’t want you to think I’m playing head games with you.”
He caught her hand. “I know you’re not playing head games.” His hold on her hand tightened. “Look, what I mean is that…whenever it happens, I’m sure it will be worth the wait.”
She nodded. Then, suddenly feeling awkward about talking sex with him, she pulled her hand free and got up. “I gotta pee!” She hurried away before he could stop her.
She was almost at the bathroom when she heard, “Susie?” A familiar voice. A voice from the past. A voice she would just as soon have never heard again. And, turning around, she saw him. Or, rather, her.
Sue’s heart dropped. He/she leaned against the wall, watching her. As always, Collin looked impeccable. Not a hair out of place, even if it was a wig. A slob in the house he might have been, but personal hygiene he never lapsed on. Sue braced herself for the old feelings of betrayal, but instead she felt…
Her eyes lowered. Okay, she felt angry, but not because of the lies or the five years she’d given to their marriage, but because she recognized the skirt he wore. It was hers!
Collin smiled and took a very feminine step forward.
Wanting to be alone with her confused emotions, Sue darted into the bathroom. When Collin followed, she realized her mistake. The women’s restroom wasn’t off-limits to Collin, not when he was dressed as Colleen.
“That’s my skirt!” she hissed.
“That’s why it’s my favorite. I had to let it out a size, though.” He looked her up and down, the way one woman should never assess another. Okay, like no heterosexual woman should assess another. But Colleen wasn’t heterosexual. She was lesbian.
“You look great,” he said.
Sue’s gaze moved from his long red wig to his body, physically redistributed to somehow look female. “I hate you.”
“Because of this?” A sad note entered his voice. He waved a hand up and down. “You’re not the only one. My family can’t accept it, either.”
Sue’s heart toyed with some emotion almost like sympathy. “I didn’t mean that. I hate you because my skirt looks better on you than it did me.”
Collin grinned. “God, I’ve missed your sense of humor. Every time I’ve come here, I hoped I would see you.”
Uncomfortable with her newfound emotion, Sue twisted the toe of her sandal into the tile floor. “This is the first time I’ve been here.” And why exactly had she come?
“You seem happy.” He stared into her eyes, and the awkwardness level inched up.
Sue took a deep breath. “I’m doing okay.” And she realized it was true. It had taken her a long while, but she was okay.
“I bought your books. I buy the autographed copies you leave at your book signings. You’ve done great. Not that I ever doubted you. You always had enough spunk for both of us.” He toyed with the scarf around his neck.
“Thanks.” She remembered how Collin had always supported her dreams. She stared back into his bright green eyes, a bit emotionally baffled.
The sadness filled his gaze again. “I hated hurting you. But I couldn’t have stopped doing this any more than you could have stopped writing. It’s part of me.”
She realized she’d been so angry that she’d never tried to see his side of things. “Then you did the right thing,” she said. And she meant it. She didn’t understand him being a lesbian trapped in a man’s body, but she didn’t need to—at least, not to wish him well.
He touched a strand of her hair. “If I’d told you in the beginning, do you think you could have accepted it? That we could have made it work? I really never wanted anyone but you. We were good together.”
Had they been? She thought for a second, then offered the truth. “We weren’t that good. And I’m sorry, but no, I couldn’t have accepted it. Maybe that says something about me, or maybe it says something about what we had.” She inhaled a deep breath. “You telling me the truth, however, would have been nice. Maybe before we got married.”
“I thought it would go away, that getting married would cure me.” He glanced down at Sue’s left
hand. “No rings. So…that guy who was all over you out there—is he someone special?”
Sue considered the question. “He could be. I’m not sure.”
Collin nodded.
They talked for a few more minutes, mostly about his job, and then Collin left her alone. Sue turned to the mirror and stared at her reflection. After a second she smiled. As crazy as it sounded, seeing Collin had been okay. She might even say the encounter felt a little like fate—a little like the closure she’d needed, an end of a very long chapter in her life. In the next chapter, she stopped being angry and stopped blaming herself for things out of her control.
But what else was in this new chapter? Great sex with a certain cop?
How about going to the potty? her bladder begged, and she hurled herself into a stall.
Three minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom and back into the dark atmosphere of the restaurant. She came to an abrupt halt as she spotted Jason standing outside the door talking to…Collin. Jason’s gaze swung to her.
“He’s such a dear,” Collin said in a high voice, reaching out to straighten Jason’s collar. “He asked me to check on you.”
“I’m fine.” Sue cut a warning look at her ex-husband.
“Susie always took a long time in the ladies’ room. Nervous bladder.”
Jason glanced back at Collin. “You two know each other?”
“Why, we were very close at one time.” Collin pursed his lips at Sue. “Weren’t we?”
Sue eyed Jason. “We should go.”
“Not without hugs.” Collin wrapped his arms around an oblivious Jason, who froze, caught by complete surprise. Collin took advantage of the situation and pressed his lips to Jason’s mouth for a quick kiss. When he pulled back, he looked at Sue. “If you get tired of him, send him my way. But if he ever hurts you, I’ll kill him.”
Sue stepped back. “Let’s go.” She grabbed Jason and led him back to their table, signed the credit-card receipt, then headed out of the club and into the hot, humid night.
They hadn’t gotten to the car when Jason, holding her hand, slowed them down. “You’re going to explain that, right?”
“You wouldn’t want to know.” She dropped his hand and headed to his car.
Divorced, Desperate And Dating Page 23
