Had probably cracked some line about a happy ending.
“Max probably has a chance with the redhead, but Saragosa’s gonna strike out.” McKenna sipped a clear, fizzy drink.
Sure enough, the redhead near Max was moving closer, a giant smile on her face. The two women by Saragosa seemed more interested in each other than the FBI agent in front of them.
Amanda should have stayed working. Or gone home. Faking lighthearted cheer wasn’t on her list of attributes tonight. And neither was stepping back and enjoying the moment.
The urgency to hightail it out of the bar climbed up her stomach and tried to wiggle out. Maybe Captain Dentzen had had a chance to review the file she’d put together on the girls. He’d changed his mind about letting her dig a little farther on precinct time and with their resources.
The bartender handed over a perspiring bottle, which Jordan passed to her. “It’s okay to take a break, Amanda.”
Working with friends had its benefits. And sometimes, like now, when keeping all the panic over the events of the day meant making it home without a scene, she wished they all had separate careers. “What are we celebrating?”
“Nothing.” Jordan sipped his beer, seriousness blanketing his face. “We can’t hang out with friends?”
“It doesn’t happen all that often anymore.” McKenna twirled the straw in her drink. “At least not outside of the house.”
Amanda eyed her friends. Their faces held some kind of starry-eyed giddiness. As if they had a secret no one else would understand.
“So, what’s with the ring?” Jordan nodded toward her left hand, wrapped around her beer.
Perfect.
His gaze flashed to something beyond Amanda for a second. Then came back.
“Nothing.” Amanda scanned the crowd. Didn’t see anything out of the norm.
McKenna folded one arm across her middle. “I suppose Robinson in your apartment this morning was nothing, too?”
No. Yes. She took a swallow of her drink. It soured her stomach on impact. “It’s—”
“Complicated.” Robinson’s warm voice floated over her. Jangled all the nerves in her system and stole her breath for a second. Even then, his spicy scent managed to fill her lungs as he came to stand next to her. His arm brushed hers. Sent something similar to the fizzy bubbles in McKenna’s drink, through her body on top of everything. She didn’t move, couldn’t if she tried.
Wanted to enjoy this moment. And forget everything else.
She eyed the clear concoction her friend sipped. The way she held it tighter than necessary. “What are you drinking?”
“Vodka tonic.” The answer was too quick. Eye contact nonexistent.
No, way. Not this woman. A fruity drink, sure. Not the harsh taste of straight alcohol with bland tonic. The other woman would be drunk after one. And it was half gone with not even a hint of tipsiness in sight. Maybe that’s what Jordan wanted. Maybe...
Beside her, Robinson watched the couple as if he knew something was off, but couldn’t pin down the exact details. That beautiful mouth was pulled downward in a frown. Worry filled his canvas-worthy eyes. And his face had a who’s-butt-am-I-kicking quality to it, instead of the jovial one worn by the people around them. Without looking in her direction, he stole her beer and took a healthy swallow.
Did he notice the slight swell of McKenna’s abdomen? That glow she had? Or Jordan’s silly grin, tucked almost out of sight. As if he were absurdly pleased with himself.
The items McKenna had purchased at the store popped into her mind. Sprite and crackers. Should have known. Except, her friend hadn’t had a speck of morning sickness with Riley.
“Since when do you drink Vodka tonic?”
Her best friend’s lips stilled over her straw. “Hmm?” Her eyes filled with innocence.
“It’s not alcohol, is it?” Robinson shifted forward and stole the other woman’s glass before she could protest. Sipped the contents. “Nope. You on some kind of new kick,
“Max probably has a chance with the redhead, but Saragosa’s gonna strike out.” McKenna sipped a clear, fizzy drink.
Sure enough, the redhead near Max was moving closer, a giant smile on her face. The two women by Saragosa seemed more interested in each other than the FBI agent in front of them.
Amanda should have stayed working. Or gone home. Faking lighthearted cheer wasn’t on her list of attributes tonight. And neither was stepping back and enjoying the moment.
The urgency to hightail it out of the bar climbed up her stomach and tried to wiggle out. Maybe Captain Dentzen had had a chance to review the file she’d put together on the girls. He’d changed his mind about letting her dig a little farther on precinct time and with their resources.
The bartender handed over a perspiring bottle, which Jordan passed to her. “It’s okay to take a break, Amanda.”
Working with friends had its benefits. And sometimes, like now, when keeping all the panic over the events of the day meant making it home without a scene, she wished they all had separate careers. “What are we celebrating?”
“Nothing.” Jordan sipped his beer, seriousness blanketing his face. “We can’t hang out with friends?”
“It doesn’t happen all that often anymore.” McKenna twirled the straw in her drink. “At least not outside of the house.”
Amanda eyed her friends. Their faces held some kind of starry-eyed giddiness. As if they had a secret no one else would understand.
“So, what’s with the ring?” Jordan nodded toward her left hand, wrapped around her beer.
Perfect.
His gaze flashed to something beyond Amanda for a second. Then came back.
“Nothing.” Amanda scanned the crowd. Didn’t see anything out of the norm.
McKenna folded one arm across her middle. “I suppose Robinson in your apartment this morning was nothing, too?”
No. Yes. She took a swallow of her drink. It soured her stomach on impact. “It’s—”
“Complicated.” Robinson’s warm voice floated over her. Jangled all the nerves in her system and stole her breath for a second. Even then, his spicy scent managed to fill her lungs as he came to stand next to her. His arm brushed hers. Sent something similar to the fizzy bubbles in McKenna’s drink, through her body on top of everything. She didn’t move, couldn’t if she tried.
Wanted to enjoy this moment. And forget everything else.
She eyed the clear concoction her friend sipped. The way she held it tighter than necessary. “What are you drinking?”
“Vodka tonic.” The answer was too quick. Eye contact nonexistent.
No, way. Not this woman. A fruity drink, sure. Not the harsh taste of straight alcohol with bland tonic. The other woman would be drunk after one. And it was half gone with not even a hint of tipsiness in sight. Maybe that’s what Jordan wanted. Maybe...
Beside her, Robinson watched the couple as if he knew something was off, but couldn’t pin down the exact details. That beautiful mouth was pulled downward in a frown. Worry filled his canvas-worthy eyes. And his face had a who’s-butt-am-I-kicking quality to it, instead of the jovial one worn by the people around them. Without looking in her direction, he stole her beer and took a healthy swallow.
Did he notice the slight swell of McKenna’s abdomen? That glow she had? Or Jordan’s silly grin, tucked almost out of sight. As if he were absurdly pleased with himself.
The items McKenna had purchased at the store popped into her mind. Sprite and crackers. Should have known. Except, her friend hadn’t had a speck of morning sickness with Riley.
“Since when do you drink Vodka tonic?”
Her best friend’s lips stilled over her straw. “Hmm?” Her eyes filled with innocence.
“It’s not alcohol, is it?” Robinson shifted forward and stole the other woman’s glass before she could protest. Sipped the contents. “Nope. You on some kind of new kick,
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