Page 37 of Hostile Witness
“Oh. Wow.”
“I told him I wasn’t blind, but keeping my distance, and we laughed about it.”
“Did it feel good to have a normal conversation, T?”
“That’s not important. Ethan is a detective. A. Detective. Mo. What was I thinking? If I were to get involved with someone, I surely wouldn’t pick another detective.”
“Because of Brent.”
“Of course,” Tia muttered.
“Sometimes, you can’t control who comes into your life. Circumstances tossed you together again, and I see what you’re saying about the detective part, but Brent was a dirty cop, and you were one of his victims.”
Tia pulled aside the white lace curtain and glanced out the window. There was an unmarked police car in her driveway and two people dusting her Kia hood for fingerprints. She shook her head. “I hate the word victim.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“I refuse to ever be a victim again.”
“Good for you. You deserve better than what you got. Don’t ever forget that I’m on your side, okay?”
“Thanks. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you these past two years.”
“You would’ve handled it with the same grace and tenacity, my friend. Have you been in touch with my mother’s plastic surgeon yet?”
“No. I’m thinking about getting a tattoo instead. Maybe the artist can use the long scar as a flower vine or something. I’ve been browsing designs online.”
“That’s an idea. You wouldn’t need the grafting surgeries if you made it part of a tattoo.”
“My thoughts exactly. It might be a great accessory for my new badass self. Maybe when I decide to date again in five years, I’ll hook up with a biker and get leathers, too.”
Mo howled with laughter. “That’s a positive mental picture if I ever heard one. But seriously, hon, you’ve always been a badass.”
“No, I haven’t. I was sweet and innocent and naïve, and a trusting idiot. And because of that, I’m wearing turtlenecks and button ups every day of my life and have spent months in therapy.”
Mo groaned. “Don’t go there, T. After the surgery or the tattoo, or even if you decide to do nothing at all, when you’re comfortable with your body again, we’ll get dressed up and go out for a night on the town like we used to. We should do it soon. Maybe one of those bayside bars with a live band.”
Tia sighed. “I like that idea. I’m tired of drinking a glass of wine all by myself.”
“You want some company this weekend? I’m free.”
“I wish I could, but third-quarter grades are due next week, and I’ve got a lot to do.”
“All right, a rain check, then. And Tia?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t freak out when we get off the phone about getting to know Ethan. It’s a healthy step in your healing journey, and it’s nice to hear you smile again.”
“I won’t flip out, but I can feel my guard slipping where he’s concerned.”
“Relax, breathe, do some yoga. Maybe it’s time to start mingling again. Enjoy the relationship.”
“Yeah, I guess. I’m pretty sure he views me as part of his job.”
“Well”—Mo drew in a deep breath—“it’s had a positive effect on you. We’ll talk soon?”
“You bet. Later this week.”