Page 23 of Crazy in Love

“Are you stoned?” Hope asked, giving him a sideways glance.

He held up his thumb and forefinger about a half an inch apart. “Buzzed maybe. I’m still figuring out how the pills work.”

She laughed. “Does seem to make you a better passenger.”

“And you a better driver,” he quipped.

At the counter, he asked for an ice cream sundae with extra fudge. “And whatever she’s having.”

She ordered and followed him to a table. “Thanks,” she said. When their number was called, she picked up the tray.

“So, what’s it like getting shot?” she asked, digging into her banana split.

“I don’t recommend it.”

“Still, it’s kinda cool. Chicks dig scars.”

“Do they? I’ll have to analyze that angle.”

“What’s the best part about leaving GVF? I can’t wait to bail on this town.”

“Privacy,” he said automatically. “In a big city, you don’t have everyone all up in your business.”

“Oh, yeah. That’d be nice. How ’bout the worst?”

He thought for a second and shrugged. “Same thing, I guess. It can be isolating—you’re just one of a million. Sure, you’ve got friends at work, but not an entire community that would step up and do anything for you.”

“Huh.” She shoved a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. “Never thought of it that way. You play hoops when you were in high school?”

“Doesn’t everyone? You?”

She nodded. There were so few kids that anyone remotely athletically inclined played most sports, whether or not they were any good at them. “Basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track.”

“You’re tall, so that’s an advantage.”

A long-haired teenage boy approached them. The odor of cigarette smoke wafted off his black leather jacket, which he wore even though it was close to eighty degrees outside. On the waistband of the coat, Nick noticed a smudge of yellow paint. This kid’s vibe was troubling.

“Hey, Sullivan,” the teen said. “You comin’ tonight?”

“Don’t have a ride,” Hope said, and Nick watched as guilt skidded across her face. A look he’d seen many times before on perps he’d arrested. Interesting.

“I’ll pick you up,” the kid said, simultaneously eyeing and ignoring Nick.

“Fine. Later.”

The kid walked away.

“What was that about?” Nick asked, covertly watching her reaction while spooning his ice cream.

“Nothing.” She huffed. “There’s never anything to do around here.”

“No offense, but he seems like trouble.”

“Why do you say that?” The defensive tone meant Nick had hit a nerve.

He shrugged. “Years of experience.”

She rolled her eyes and stood abruptly. “You done?”

---