Page 59 of Hostile Witness
Ethan placed his hand over hers after she took a bite. “How’s your crab cake?”
Her eyes lifted to his. “It’s delicious. Thanks for choosing this place. I haven’t gone out much in the past couple of years, and it’s refreshing to be out—especially with you.”
There was something warmly seductive in his look.
She quickly leaned over and set the burger plate in front of Flynn, then touched Ethan’s hand. “What are you thinking?”
“I think I want you in my life. Are you willing to giveusa try?”
She grabbed one of his french fries and traced it against his lips. “Yes.” Elation filled her heart for the first time in months, or maybe years. “How long have you been thinking about this?”
He leaned closer. “Since the day you wore those cartoon pajamas and slippers to school.”
Interesting. “For me, it was when you made those suggestive comments in the school office.”
His eyebrows raised in surprise. “Really? So you weren’t actually pissed at me?”
Tia waved a finger. “I was upset because the office staff heard you. But deep down, I liked you even though I didn’t want to. But be forewarned—I still have a lot to work through.”
Ethan waited for her to finish, then pushed their plates to the side. “Would you like to dance?”
“Yes, I’d love to. But we can’t just leave Flynn here to take care of himself.”
He jerked his head toward the bar. “Earl’s sitting over there. He’ll watch him for us.”
Tia took a sip of her margarita and wrinkled her nose. “Did you plan this?”
He crossed his heart with two fingers. “No. Tina must have a meeting tonight. He’s been known to eat out when she’s working late.”
“Let me go with you and say hi to Earl.” She grasped Ethan’s offered hand, and they sidestepped the crowd around the bar.
Tia placed a hand on Earl’s forearm. “Sergeant?”
He spun around and grinned. “Hey, Tia. Give an old man a hug.”
His embrace resembled a hard squeeze, and he still smelled like Old Spice. Aw, how she’d missed Earl the past couple of years. He’d always been a dear friend to her family and a trusted confidant to her uncle. Tia basked in the embrace and held it a few seconds longer.
Earl raised his eyebrows. “What are you kids doing here?”
“Crab cakes, margaritas, and a sunset,” Ethan quipped. “I take it Tina’s working late tonight?”
Earl nodded. “Figured I’d get a salad and watch the sunset. I guess great minds think alike.”
Two guitar players on the stage broke into a country song while the drummer tapped his cymbals in a syncopated rhythm. Anticipation welled up in Tia’s chest as her right foot moved to the beat. She hadn’t danced since a friend’s wedding a few years ago, and this band had a great reputation.
Earl smiled knowingly. “Give me the dog. You two go dance.”
Ethan grinned. “You sure?”
“Of course. Where’s your table? I’ll sit over there with him.” Earl grabbed his beer and took the leash from Ethan. “Have fun, Son. I looked at your upcoming schedule, and you’re on duty a lot.”
The words were barely out of Earl’s mouth when Ethan tugged her forward, nudging them toward the outside deck where the band was playing. Most of the men she’d dated weren’t into dancing unless they were smashed at a wedding. Nothing was further from the truth with Ethan. The smile on his face conveyed pure joy from the second their feet hit the dance floor.
He swung her into his arms and moved like a pro, spinning and gently dipping her as if testing how their bodies workedtogether. Or maybe he was seeing how agile she was on her feet. Whatever—at the exact moment she couldn’t keep up with him, he’d tug her to his chest and sway so she could catch her breath.
It wasn’t like her. The urge to close her eyes and let him catch her after too many spins was overwhelming. With his hands on her hips, he guided her from one move to the next. The few times they didn’t sync on a move, they laughed. Thank goodness she’d worn low heels and not sneakers.
At the end of the second song, Tia pulled the scrunchie from her hair and let the strands fall, cascading free in the cool bay breeze. Something inside had begun to unfurl, and it had nothing to do with the margaritas.