Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“I’m a little envious that you’ve mastered communicating with your ex.”
“I wouldn’t say that, but we are friends, so it’s easier than it could be,” I tell him, and silence falls between us before I listen as he calls his son, who he’s obviously close with, and I drive us back toward the city.
CHAPTER 7
miles
Pacing in front of the windows that overlook the fenced-in backyard behind the building—a yard only Clay’s apartment on the fifth floor has access to by a set of stairs—I scrub my fingers through my hair.
I just got off the phone with Karen, who is on her way to her daughter’s house in Mississippi, because her son-in-law had a heart attack and is going into surgery. With four kids all under the age of ten, her daughter was panicked. She couldn’t be in two places at once and wanted to be with her husband but didn’t want the kids at the hospital with her.
I told Karen not to worry, that I would figure something out with Winter. And normally, that wouldn’t be a lie, not with two of my brothers living here in Nashville and in the same building as me. But with both of them out of town and Hazel a flight away, I’ve fucked myself. Last night, I got home after midnight and was up early today with a plan to meet Martinez after Karen got here this morning. Now, I’m going to have to call and let him know he’s on his own, and that doesn’t sit well with me. Not when we’ve got so much work to do on Anna and Grace’s case.
Dropping my head forward, I wrap my hand around the back of my neck, then let it go when my cell rings. Walking to the table where I dropped it after I hung up with Karen, I pick it up when I see it’s Tucker calling.
“Aren’t you supposed to be getting on your plane?” I greet, putting it to my ear.
“We’re waiting to take off now, but Miranda is convinced she left the coffee pot on this morning and the whole building is going to burn down.”
“I’ll run over.”
“You’re not working? Did you already catch someone for the case you were working on yesterday?”
“No, Karen’s son-in-law had a heart attack, and she’s headed to Mississippi to look after her grandkids, so I’m gonna have to stay here with Winter,” I tell him while walking to the kitchen to get the keys for his apartment that I keep in the drawer there.
“Fuck, and Clay and I are both gone.”
“And you and Clay are both gone,” I agree and hear Miranda in the background asking if everything is okay and what’s going on. Then I listen to him explain the situation to her.
“Miles,” Miranda says, obviously taking the phone from him. “Do you want me to call Emma and see if she could come over and hang with Winter? She watches Kingston for me whenever I need, and you know her. Plus Winter loves her.”
“Is she working today?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll call her and find out really quick, then have her call you.” We hang up after saying goodbye, and I take the key and head to Tucker’s place down the hall. The coffee pot is off, so I make sure everything is secure, then head back to my place. The moment I step through the door, my cell rings, and it’s a number I don’t have saved.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Miles, it’s Emma,” she greets softly, and I ignore the curl in the pit of my stomach from just hearing her voice.
Since the moment I met her, I’ve been infatuated. It’s hard not to be. She’s beautiful, sweet, and sexy as fuck with her long, dark hair and eyes that seem wise beyond her years. She is also absolutely off-limits.
I don’t fuck women who could complicate my life. And going there with her would be complicated. First, she’s Miranda’s best friend, so her connection is too close for comfort. Second, she knows my daughter, and I don’t bring any woman I’m with around Winter. And third, she just got out of a long-term relationship. Again, complicated.
“Hey, Emma.”
“Miranda just called and told me about what happened with Karen. I’m so sorry. I hope her son-in-law is okay.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Umm, I have a couple of clients scheduled today, but I can move them around and be over there in the next hour, if that works for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’s not a big deal. The two ladies I have scheduled are friends, so they’ll be cool with me rescheduling them for next week.”
“You’re a fucking lifesaver.”
“I’m just glad I can help.” She goes quiet, then adds, “I’ll call you when I reach your building so you can let me in.”
“Thanks, Emma.”
“Any time. See you in a bit.” She hangs up, and a second later, my phone rings.