The line moved up, and there was only one person in front of Samantha to order. Lollie, eyed her up and down. She was beautiful. In shape, for certain, her curves slight. The parachute pants only added to her mystery and intrigue. Samantha had her long dirty blonde hair pulled back into a pony tail that sat in the middle of her head. Lollie’s fingers itched to tug on it. She wondered if Samantha would cry out in pleasure if she did.
“You’re up,” Lollie whispered as Samantha moved to the barista.
“Thanks.” Samantha grinned.
She was a bit younger than Lollie’s normal interest, but she was still older than Lollie herself. Lollie bit her lower lip as she listened to Samantha place her order. Before she could pay, Lollie stepped up. “I’ll get hers as well.”
“Really? You don’t have to.”
“It’s my pleasure. New connections.”
The barista waited expectantly. Lollie turned to her with a smirk.
“I’ll have a coffee, medium. Anything to warm my cold bones.”
After paying with one of the cards she kept close in her purse, Lollie stepped to the end of the counter where Samantha already waited for her drink. She stood next to her, once again eyeing her up and down. “What do you do for a living?”
“Oh, um, I’m a store manager over at one of the grocery chains. It’s my day off, so I thought I’d come and get some work done here rather than sit at home alone.”
“You live alone?” Lollie’s interest piqued.
“Yeah, my, uh, ex-girlfriend just moved out a few weeks back.”
Lollie tried to hide her grin, but she couldn’t. Rolling with it, she licked her lips. “How could anyone break up with you? You’re drop dead gorgeous.”
A blush rose to Samantha’s cheeks. Lollie was pleased with herself. She grabbed Samantha’s coffee and handed it to her before taking her own.
“I’ll let you work, then. Don’t want to distract you.”
“No, wait.” Samantha put her hand on Lollie’s arm. “I could use the company. That’s really why I came here. Needed to get out and see people, remind myself there are good people in this world. Come sit with me. I can give you the low down on St. Louis, and you can tell me where you’re from.”
“Sure.” Lollie swallowed. “I’d love that.”
The two of them sat down together at a small table in the corner. The cold from the window behind her chilled Lollie’s back, but this way, she had a view of the front door and a wonderful view of Samantha. Lollie spun her coffee cup in her hand, waiting for it to cool slightly so she wouldn’t burn her tongue.
“You said you’ve lived here all your life?”
“Yeah. Born and raised. Never wanted to move.”
“I can’t imagine not moving. I’ve lived so many places.”
“Oh? Whereabouts?”
Lollie bided her time, taking a sip of her steaming cup. Samantha mimicked her move. Lollie rested on the small round table, pressing her elbows into the wood top. She rubbed her lips and sent Samantha a grin. “Well, most recently I’m coming from Chicago. But I’ve lived north, south, east, and west. Literally, all over the country.”
“Army brat?” Samantha smirked. “My sister is military. She and her family move every couple years. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like.”
“It’s not so bad once you get used to it, and hey, if you don’t like a place, it’s super easy to just pack up and go somewhere new.”
“Very true. I think I’ll stick with right here, though. I’ve got all my favorite spots. My coffee joint…” Samantha put her hand out to the room like she was showing it off. “I’ve got my mechanic, my best friends, my parents, my doctor who has been my doctor since I was born.”
“That’s a bit odd.” Lollie wrinkled her nose.
Samantha shrugged. “I guess it could be.”
Lollie hummed around another swallow of coffee. “Where’s the best place to get comfort food, like the best burger joint in town?”
“Oh!” Samantha’s eyes lit up, and Lollie’s stomach clenched. “There’s this place just on the other side of the river. It’s seriously the best. They’ve got all different kinds of burgers, but I have never had a bad one there. Here.” She took a napkin and wrote the name of the place down.
“We should go there sometime.”
Samantha furrowed her brow. “Yeah, I guess we could.”
“I’m just new to town and all. Gotta make some friends somewhere.”
Nodding, Samantha slipped the napkin closer to Lollie. “Ain’t that the truth. I firmly believe everyone could use another friend or two in their lives.”
“I’ve had a hard time making friends lately. It seems to never work out in the long term. Things go really well in the beginning, but once we’ve been around for a while, they tend to fade into the background.”
“I’m so sorry.” Samantha covered Lollie’s hand with her own. “That must be so hard. I don’t know where I’d be without my friends. They got me through some really tough times.”
Lollie nodded, playing into the sympathy Samantha was no doubt feeling for her in the moment. The more she got to know Samantha, the more she imagined they might work well together so long as they had the time to explore a relationship. Lollie swallowed and gave Samantha a weak smile.
“I guess. I’ve had to go most of it alone. I left home when I turned eighteen, never really had family to fall back on. No degree, so I worked my way up the ladder by being the go-to girl, but now, I really just want to settle a bit and be a homebody.”
“Seems you’ve done a decent job at life.”
“I have, thank you. I’d love to go back to school, though. I started once but never finished.”
Samantha nodded. “Me too. Well, I did finish, after about fifteen years of starting and stopping. I needed the degree to get the position as store manager. It was not a very pleasant experience. School is not for me.”
“Me either! But I get tired of working dead-end jobs here and there and not being able to have a career. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
Lollie warmed even more, and she knew she was getting closer. “Want to get that burger tonight? I have to drive by and get keys to my new apartment.” Lollie checked her watch. “But I’m sure I could meet tonight. Girls gotta eat, right?”
“Yeah, I think I could swing that. Eight?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Lollie leaned over and pressed her lips to Samantha’s cheek. She lingered a little longer than would normally be considered appropriate for a first time meet up, but she wanted Samantha to know she was amenable to a different kind of relationship, perhaps a permanent one.
“I’ll see you tonight, then.”
“Eight.” Samantha reiterated.
“At eight, yes.”
Lollie slid out of her chair, grabbed her coffee cup, and went to her car. She glanced through the window to see Samantha still sitting at their table. Her heart warmed at the sight. Samantha may be perfect for her. They definitely had chemistry, and she was willing to take the risk to get to know her. Licking her lips, Lollie pulled out of the parking lot to drive by the burger joint. She wanted to know where she was going later so she didn’t get lost.
###
Lollie had waited in the parking lot all afternoon until Samantha showed up. She watched as she walked inside. Samantha had changed into a new outfit, and it made Lollie smile. If she’d changed clothes to something tighter, something sexier, it was because she had been thinking about Lollie and their dinner together.
It was perfect. Lollie waited another five minutes before stepping out into the cold air. She rushed inside the restaurant, immediately looking around for Samantha. When she found her in the corner, waiting for the host to tell them a table was ready, Lollie’s heart skipped. She sauntered over and grabbed Samantha’s hand with her own, squeezing lightly.
“I like what you’re wearing.”
“Yeah? Thought I n
eeded a change.”
“Yeah. It’s sexy.” Lollie grinned. Samantha was damn sexy in her tight jeans and even tighter shirt. The washed out navy blue spread across her chest, accenting her breasts, and her leather jacket cut around her curves perfectly to accentuate her body.
“Uh, thanks.” Samantha blushed.
Lollie squeezed her fingers again, not letting go. She didn’t want to lose the contact if she could avoid it. Seducing Samantha would take a bit more than Andrea. Andrea had been easy, too easy in a lot of ways. That’s why they would never have worked. Katie had almost worked, though. Lollie had lived with her for a couple weeks before they broke up, one of her longest relationships to date.
“What are you thinking?” Samantha leaned in and whispered in Lollie’s ear.
“That I’m starved.”
“Me too.” Samantha chuckled. “How do you like your new apartment?”
“It’s nice. Not the nicest place I’ve lived, but it’s not bad. I need to get some stuff for it.”
“Don’t we always when we move?”
“Yeah.” Lollie raised her eyebrows. “I need basic things. Like a bed. It’ll be interesting to sleep on the wood floor tonight with only blankets. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get one tomorrow.”
Samantha clucked her tongue. “Oh look, I think the host is headed our way.”
Lollie turned to see a man in loose jeans and t-shirt come their direction. “Sam.”
“Oscar.”
“Table’s ready.”
“Good. By the fireplace?”
“Always for our best customer.”
Samantha grinned and tugged Lollie’s hand. “Come on. This is the best seat in the house.”
“I didn’t realize you knew everyone who worked here.” Lollie commented, her stomach churning at the fact Oscar may see her and remember her. She wasn’t sure she was ready to be public about her relationship with Samantha yet. Groaning inwardly, Lollie shook her head. She supposed she should have thought about that before inviting Samantha out for dinner on the town.
Samantha led her over to a high top table right in front of a roaring fire place. Lollie smiled at it, pulling herself up onto the high stool. Samantha had a good six inches on her, so she easily sat down. Lollie tugged her jacket off and rested it over the back of the chair.
“What’s good to eat?”
“Burgers.” Samantha giggled, the sound echoing kind of like a chipmunk. “Try the lamb one. It’s perfection on a plate.”
“I’ll take your recommendation.”
It didn’t take long for their meals to arrive, and Lollie moaned as she finished her burger. She looked directly at Samantha, moving back and forth on her stool in a happy jive.
“That was excellent. I think I’ll take your food recommendations any time.”
Samantha chuckled. “I know where all the good stuff is. I told you.”
“You certainly do.” The look Lollie sent her was heated. She wanted to try this, to see if they would be a good match for each other. She had subtly been attempting to seduce Samantha all night with flirting here and there, listening to her all about her life and her navy sister. She knew it was time to step up her game.
Leaning in, Lollie slid her hand across the table and gripped Samantha’s fingers. “Really, thank you for bringing me out tonight. It’s just what I needed to feel welcome in a new place.”
“My pleasure.” Samantha’s voice had a husky tone to it that sent pleasure straight to Lollie’s core. They shared a long look, and Samantha eventually broke the gaze, staring down at her fingers. “I can’t stop thinking about what you said earlier.”
“What did I say?”
“That you’re going to be sleeping on the floor.”
“Ah.” Lollie’s lips turned to a frown. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not the first time I’ve had to sleep on the floor, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last.”
Samantha turned her head slightly to the side. “But you don’t have to. I mean, you could crash on my couch if you were comfortable with that.”
Excitement bubbled in Lollie’s stomach, but she knew she had to hold back on it for now. “No, I think I’ll be fine. I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. I have to be up early in the morning for work, but I promise I won’t bother you. You can stay until you want to leave to start unpacking your new place.”
“You’re sure? I really don’t want to cause any problems.”
“It’s not a problem. It’d be my pleasure, really. Us women have to stick together.”
“That we do.” Lollie grinned. “Since your offer is so generous, let me pay for dinner tonight.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t let you do that.”
“Really. My treat. It’s the least I can do.”
“All right.”
Lollie brushed her thumb against the back of Samantha’s hand before she reached into her purse to grab her card. After she paid for their meal, Lollie guided Samantha out to her car and refused to let go of her fingers. She did not what to lose the connection they were building.
Once they reached Samantha’s car, Lollie turned Samantha to face her and grinned, bringing their lips together. It was soft at first, tentative with a dash of fear and worry. But when Samantha carded her fingers through Lollie’s hair, Lollie moaned. This was near perfect.
She didn’t want to push Samantha too hard, so after pressing her hand to Samantha’s waist, Lollie pulled back. “Thank you again for tonight. It’s been one of the most perfect nights of my life.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Don’t say anything, then.” Lollie pressed her lips briefly to Samantha’s. “Should I follow you?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go then. It’s getting cold out.”
Chapter Eight
Pax was in the middle of an interview, and Morgan had been chained to her desk for the better part of the day. She needed a stretch, and probably some food, too. She phoned in an order to the pizzeria and told them she’d be picking it up. Morgan left a note on Pax’s desk to let him know where she’d gone and she’d ordered for him as well.
It didn’t take her long to walk down there. She slipped up to the counter and waited for Frankie to notice her. He gave her a cockeyed grin and shook his head as he sauntered over and threw a towel over his shoulder. “Twice in one week? Should I be flattered?”
Morgan snorted. “Hardly. Just a rumbly stomach and you’re quickest on the list for delivering an edible product.”
He grasped his heart in mock hurt. “You wound me, sister.”
Laughing, Morgan leaned on the counter. “Honestly, it’s the feel of this place that keeps me coming back. Always a joy, Frankie. Where’s my grub?”
“Coming up, boss. Where’s the girl?”
Morgan froze as she reached into her pocket for her wallet. “What girl?”
“The one you brought the other week.”
Pulling a face, Morgan shook her head. “I didn’t bring a girl then.”
“Sure, you did. Yous sat right over there.” He pointed at the booth. “And yous ordered the same thing. It was so sweet and girlish for you.”
“I repeat, I did not bring a girl last time. We had a work meeting and decided over lunch would be best.”
Frankie rolled his eyes as big as he could make them. “You were all googly-eyed over her, practically drooling.”
“Shut it.” Morgan slapped her card onto the counter, signaling an end to the teasing. Normally, she probably could have helped it, but with the last week under her belt, the last thing she wanted to do was talk about Fiona and her crush and the kiss and taking her case. She wanted to push it all from her mind’s eye. “The food, Frankie.”
“It’s coming. It’s coming.” He slid her card off the counter and swiped it through their semi-ancient machine. She’d tried to get them to upgrade at some point, imagining the security issues they were exposed to by not having updated tech. F
rankie had promptly rolled his eyes and walked away without another word.
He handed her card back and then handed her the food. She smiled as it sat warm in her palms. Morgan walked to the bureau and brought the food to her desk. Pax was still gone, her note untouched. She grabbed her ever-present coffee mug and went to refill it, needing the extra juice to push her through to the end of the day.
Morgan plopped down at her desk, dug into the bag with her food and took a bite of calzone as she stared over the screen of her computer. She’d watched the interview with Reilly a dozen times before, but she still wanted to see if there was anything else to glean from it. Reilly was now in the custody of the FBI at a safe house while she reunited with her parents and worked on her transition to motherhood.
An agent had been in and out of the house daily to check on her and see if there was any other information to learn. Morgan went over those files as well but found little to nothing in them. It seemed as though the girls were not privy to as much information as they’d once thought. Sighing, she took another bite and worked her way through the notes on other interviews.
She got to the third or fourth one and narrowed her eyes. “Interesting,” she muttered to herself. Clicking open the video, Morgan put on her headphones and relaxed in her chair. She ate while she watched.
“How old are you?” the interviewer asked.
“Twelve,” the young boy answered, not looking up and boring a hole into the table.
“What’s your role, Dimitri?”
Dimitri looked at his hands. “I’m a runner.”
“Which means what?”
Dimitri took in a deep breath. “I take things from one person and give them to another person.”
“Like who?”
Biting his lip, Dimitri shook his head. Morgan swallowed right along with him, raptly watching the video. He shook his head again, clearly not wanting to answer.
“Dimitri, we can’t help you if you don’t talk to us. Who is it you give things to?”
Morgan’s heart clenched. She’d used the tactic before, but she didn’t like it, especially when used on kids. Dimitri looked so small in the large interview room. He had no lawyer, no adult, no one to advocate for him. Morgan cringed. It’d be a nightmare if he confessed to anything, and they pressed charges.
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