The pounding was growing increasingly louder as Jake turned the knob and opened the door. “Seriously? Do they teach you that knock in the academy? Here’s a thought,” Jake said sarcastically. “You don’t have to knock like you’re about to break down a door when you’re not on duty.”
A small, smug smile tilted Eric’s lips as he stepped past Jake. “Where would the fun be in that?”
Jake watched his brother’s retreating back as he made his way into the kitchen. “Come on in,” Jake announced sardonically.
Eric ignored him as Jake followed him into the kitchen. He came around the corner to find Eric pouring himself a cup of coffee from a pot Jake had made when he’d gotten home a few hours earlier. Jake thought about offering to make him a fresh pot, but he figured his brother was a big boy who obviously had no problems whatsoever making himself at home in Jake’s house. If he wanted a fresh pot, he could brew one his damn self.
Jake leaned against the counter, waiting to see what wise words of wisdom his brother had come by to drop on him. He knew this probably had to do with one blond-haired, blue-eyed girl who was none of his brother’s business.
The kitchen chair squeaked as his brother casually sat down and began sipping his freshly poured cup o’ joe. He looked in no hurry to get this convo started.
Jake grabbed his navy blue HFPD sweatshirt that was hanging off the chair and pulled it on. Then he rubbed his hands over his face.
“So, what’s up?” Jake asked, leaning back on the counter again, putting his hands in the front pocket of his sweatshirt.
“You ready for this weekend?” Eric asked.
“Yep.” Jake wasn’t sure if he was referring to the Policeman/Fireman Ball on Saturday or Amy’s wedding on Sunday, but either way he was good.
“You taking Tessa to the Ball?”
“Nope. I have to take the highest bidder.” Jake had been auctioned off as a date to raise money for the station.
“That’s right,” Eric nodded. “What about to Amy’s wedding?”
“Tessa’s the photographer and I’m in the wedding, so we’ll both be there if that’s what you’re asking.”
Eric set his cup down. “That’s not what I’m asking.”
“What exactly are you asking?” Jake asked crankily. He hadn’t slept and his body felt like an eighty-year-old man’s. Plus his brother had interrupted his nap, and Jake loved his sleep.
“Have you talked to her?”
He knew his brother just wanted to help, but Jake was not in the mood. Part of his crankiness probably had to do with the fact that the answer to Eric’s question was no. Jake hadn’t talked to Tessa. They’d been busy…gettin’ busy.
Jake pushed off the counter. “I’m tired, Eric. I’ve got to get some sleep.”
His brother just stared at him. Jake was about to tell him that he didn’t have to go home but he needed to get the hell out of here when he stood. Finally.
“You need to talk to her,” Eric stated in his most intimidating I’m-a-cop-you-have-to-do-what-I-say voice.
“Yes, sir, Officer,” Jake said in his most sarcastic I-totally-don’t-give-a-shit-what-you-say tone.
Eric just shook his head at his little brother as he left. Jake knew Eric was right. He did need to talk to Tessa. But he didn’t need to talk to Eric about needing to talk to Tessa.
Just before the front door shut, Eric said, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
After it was closed, Jake looked down at Lucky’s big, brown puppy-dog eyes. “So do I.” He petted the top of his dog’s head. “So do I.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
‡
Tessa rang the doorbell at Amanda’s house, a bottle of wine in hand, grateful that she heard happy, loud chattering already coming from inside the house. Thank God for Amy and her well-timed wedding—and baby—announcement! They meant that Tessa was not going to be the center of conversation at tonight’s book club meeting, and that was exactly the way she liked things—with the attention firmly focused on someone else.
Amanda opened the door and gave her a hug, ushering her inside. When she walked into the living room, the faces of the women lit up at the sight of her. “Tessa!” exclaimed about half of them, focusing on her face, while the other half yelled, “Wine!” as their eyes traveled down to the bottle she held in her hand. Tessa laughed. She would have been hard-pressed to say which group was more excited.
Tessa held up the bottle with a flourish, eager to focus the attention of all of the women on the thing that was not her. They might be distracted by the alcohol and the wedding and baby plans right now, but if she knew these ladies—and she most certainly did—the slightest little thing would be enough to redirect their attention to her and, more specifically, to her relationship with Jake.