4. Harper #2
It’s already hot as hell when we step outside, and Watson is so close to bursting that he doesn’t even sniff the ground before he runs to the closest tree and hikes a leg.
I apologize to him again while he does his business and promise to never do it again.
Because he’s a dog and perfect in every way, he walks over when he’s done and leans against my leg, letting me know he forgives me and still loves me.
“You’re getting extra treats today,” I promise him. “And belly scratches.” When he turns his eyes up to mine, I add, “And you can sleep on the couch as long as you want and I swear I won’t say a word about it.”
He licks my hand when I reach down to pet him, and when I’m sure he doesn’t need to go anymore, I bring him back to the apartment.
I feed him his breakfast and get Tylenol and water for myself.
When he heads for his favorite spot on the couch, I take a shower and try to wake myself up.
I need to be somewhere at noon, and my brain is still mostly asleep.
After I’m done, I take Watson to the dog park, knowing if I can get him to run for just a little bit, he’ll be good for the day.
He still refuses to chase the ball, but after I run around like an idiot, he does finally decide to chase me.
I think it might be more out of pity, but I’ll take what I can get at this point.
When we’re back inside, I hand him another treat, make sure he has plenty of water, kiss his head, and then promise I’ll be back soon.
The coffeeshop we’re meeting at isn’t on my side of the city, so I’m ten minutes late by the time I get there and desperately in need of caffeine.
I spot Devin waiting for me at a table in the back.
He’s wearing his uniform and drawing attention from all the women in the place, even though he’s trying not to.
“Thank god,” I say when I get closer and he holds out the latte he’d already ordered for me.
“You’re late,” he says. “Lucky for you I despise butterscotch, or I would’ve drank it just to piss you off.”
I grin at him before taking a big drink, savoring the French vanilla and butterscotch syrups. “Thanks for ordering it, and I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Why were you?”
“I had wine last night,” I admit, making him scoff out a laugh.
“Jesus, I’m lucky you’re here at all then.”
I meet his hazel eyes and return his smile.
Devin and I dated for a few months when I first started working at The Beacon.
I’d met him at a bar one night, found out he was a cop, and then hounded him for info.
He’d been a good sport about it, but he’d refused to give me anything that wasn’t common knowledge.
We’d become friends, then more than friends, and then back to friends when we realized that’s how we worked best. He wanted commitment and marriage and kids, and I’d wanted complete and absolute freedom.
He’s a good guy, but there was always something missing for me when we dated.
Friendship is what’s best for us, and I’d been so relieved when he’d agreed with me.
He got married two years ago, and their daughter was born six months ago.
He takes a drink of the black coffee in front of him and asks, “So what’s going on?”
“First, how’s the family? Show me a picture of Lexie.”
In seconds there’s a cute baby grinning at me from the screen of his phone as he holds it out for me to see.
“She’s so cute, and I actually mean that. I know you have to say it when you see someone’s baby, but seriously, Dev, she’s beautiful.”
He gives me a proud grin. “She takes after her mom.”
I laugh at his modesty while he puts his phone away.
“Okay, so tell me,” he says again.
“I just wanted to let you know that I get to cover the DeMarco case while our senior reporter is out of town.”
“That’s great, Harps,” he says, and I know he means it. “That’s going to be a huge case. The nastier the criminal, the bigger the news.”
“That’s usually the way of it,” I agree. I manage to wait all of thirty seconds before asking, “So, have you heard anything around the station?”
He smirks at me and takes another drink before he shoots down my attempt. “Quiet as a mouse,” he says. When I give him a look, he ignores it and takes another drink.
“Come on, Dev. You’re not going to give me anything? What about his lawyer? Do you know why he went with Chase Donavan instead of Ev Nikitin?”
“Does it matter? They’re both arrogant assholes who love to make my job as hard as possible. Why’s it matter who he chose?”
“Just curious why he didn’t go with Nikitin,” I say.
“Uh-oh,” he says, pointing a finger at me. “I recognize that look.”
“It just bugs me is all,” I tell him.
“Look, I'll tell you this much because I know it’s going to drive you crazy until you know the truth. DeMarco called Nikitin after he was arrested. The next day, Donavan shows up and says he’s representing him.
I don’t know what happened, but there’s no story there, Harps.
Let it go and focus on the case while you have it. ”