“Don’t sweat it.”
I hand him the muffin and juice then walk back into the house. Jake lightly pats my backside as we say our goodbyes to Matthew.
Again it’s another beautiful sunny day, with not a cloud in the sky. I feel nervous about going in to work after how upset I became yesterday, but I know I can’t let this beat me. I can’t let him beat me.
I suddenly remember with annoyance that I won’t have Jessie with me today. It makes me wonder how she got on last night. With that on my mind, I pull my phone out to text her, but remember again that it’s early and that she might be having a lie-in. I don’t think she would appreciate me texting if she is.
As I contemplate putting my phone away, I remember how sick Tony looked yesterday. I wonder if I should text him, but I’m still a little baffled by his behavior the other day. It could be that he was just a little delirious from his fever, though. People say all kinds of crazy shit when they’re unwell.
We are at work in no time at all, and I quickly get myself settled at my desk. Tom’s hanging around Jake’s office with a man I have never seen before. I watch as they make their way in. It’s probably just another agent.
Biting my lip, I boot up my computer and sift through a few case files when I suddenly have the urge for coffee. As I rise out of my seat, I find Jake, Tom, and this new guy standing in front of me.
“Ana, this is our new detective, David Willis. He is just starting today, and Tom here will be showing him the ropes.”
He reaches a hand out to me, and I take it. He’s a little short—about my height—but well proportioned. He looks like he’s in his early thirties. He has his black hair slicked back with gel—a bit too much gel. It makes him look like a slimeball. If he is, then he’ll get on very well with Tom.
“I’m sorry. Your name is Ana—”
“Bennett,” I blurt. I smile, but then realize my mistake. Tom looks like he’s just heard the funniest joke ever, and Jake just stands there in shock at first until a big smile crosses his face. My cheeks burn with obvious embarrassment.
“I’m sorry. Actually, it’s Sinclair. Sorry about that. My name is Ana Sinclair. Excuse me. I have to make some coffee.” I rush off as quickly as my feet can carry me.
Shit, did I really just say that out loud?
As I get to the safe confines of the break room, I bang my head against the wall. What is Jake going to think of me now? And how the hell am I going to explain that?
I fumble about, trying to make my coffee, when Michael pops his head in. “I see you’ve met the new guy?” I jump at the sound of his voice, and he looks worried. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. I’ve just been a little shaky lately. That’s all.” I’ve also just made the world’s worst blunder … but never mind that.
“That’s completely understandable. You’ve been through a lot lately. You know I’m here if you ever need anything, right?”
Michael has been so sweet lately. I wonder what’s gotten into him. “That’s kind of you. Thank you.”
I pour my coffee and am just about to leave when Tom comes in. “I wish I’d had my camera ready when you said that. The look on your face was priceless.”
I sneer at him. “Fuck off.”
“Ooh. Feeling touchy today, are we, Mrs. Bennett?” He walks out then, laughing his head off, and Michael looks at me in wonder.
“Did I miss something? You haven’t run off and gotten married since you were in yesterday, have you? Is that why you both left early?”
I put my hand up to stop him. “No. We’re not married. It’s just Tom pratting about.”
He frowns. “Pratting about?”
“Being an ass,” I explain.
Michael nods in understanding and follows me out of the room. He’s about to say something else when we both notice that Jake is standing right there—like the great Adonis that he is—looking straight at us. Michael quickly retreats, and Jake has that silly smirk back on his face. My own face flushes at his reaction.
“Are you embarrassed?” I drop my head down as he walks a little closer. “Ana, look at me.” I don’t at first. “Ana,” he warns.
I do as he commands, but I just want the floor to swallow me up. “Yes. I’m embarrassed as hell,” I finally say. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’ve been saying that a lot lately, and although I know it’s a lame excuse, it’s all I have.”
The smirk on his face is still plastered there. He’s obviously enjoying my humiliation. “Don’t worry about it,” he says, pausing in thought before continuing with, “Ana-Lucia Bennett. It has a certain ring to it, don’t you think?”
I gasp in shock as he saunters past me, pleased as punch with my reaction. I almost drop my coffee.
I stumble back to my desk, not sure how my legs carry me there. I’m trying to wrap my head round why he’d say that. I don’t understand what it all means—if anything. My head’s exploding with all sorts of thoughts, but none of them help me much. I have this sudden pang when I realize Jessie isn’t here. I really wish she was in today. I need to talk to her about this.
I glance at the clock, noting that it’s just after eleven. She should be up and ready by now. I pick up the phone and dial her number. After a couple of rings, she answers.
“Jessie, it’s Ana. How was it?”
“It was great, thanks. Jerry was the perfect gentleman. He took me to a steakhouse. He said it was the best steakhouse in Richmond, and it really was. You must try it. Maybe you should set up a date this weekend with Mr. Boss-Man. I’m sure you two would enjoy a hotel just as much.”
I’m dying to tell her, so I just get straight to the point. “I think I’m going to die from sheer humiliation any moment now.”
“What’s up? Did you leave some toilet roll hanging out your ass or something?”
I snort. “No, no. It wasn’t anything like that. I was introduced to a new detective today.”
“Really? Is he hot?”
I huff, impatience setting in. “No. In fact, he’s probably right up Tom’s alley as first impressions go, but that’s not why I called you, Jessie!”
She snorts, amused at my impatience. “Sorry. Go ahead.”
Swallowing hard, I say, “When he asked me what my last name was, I blurted Bennett right in front of Jake and Tom. I nearly died.” She gasps first, and then laughter erupts through the line. In fact, it’s so loud that I have to pull the phone away until she calms down. “Not helping, Jessie.”
“Sorry. I wish I had been there. What did Jake say?”
This is the part I have been dying to get to. “Well, a little while later, he came up to me and said, “Ana Bennett does have a certain ring to it.”
Jessie goes crazy, screaming down the phone. “Do you know what this means? He wants to marry you, girl.”
I gasp. “No, I think he was just making fun of the situation. We haven’t even told each other how we feel yet. We haven’t said those words, so how could marriage be on the agenda so soon?”
“I’m sure he’ll pick the right moment. It seems pretty obvious to me. Anyone within a mile can tell how you two feel about each other. Sometimes words don’t mean a thing.”