Page 31 of Wicked and Claimed

Haisley squeezed her friend’s hand. She understood disappointment too well. Love, she had learned the hard way, was typically painful. All the fairy tales lied.

“Have you talked to him?”

“Of course.” Charli sighed, her shoulders sagging with defeat. “But it’s like he doesn’t hear me. Or understand. He just goes on like I didn’t say I’d rather have him home than for him take on a special project that will get him promoted faster. I feel like background noise in his life.”

Haisley felt a surge of protectiveness and clenched her free hand into a fist beneath the table. To see her confident, vibrant friend so defeated was like a knife to the heart.

“Listen to me. You’re way more than ‘background noise.’ You are an incredible woman, and you should be his queen. If Daniel can’t put you on his throne, then he’s an idiot.”

“Hais, I…” Charli teared up. “I don’t know what to do. When we got married, this isn’t at all the life I pictured.”

“Don’t cry. We’ll figure it out.” She gave Charli’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Together. Like we always have.”

As she nodded miserably, Charli’s tears fell. “My disintegrating marriage is all I think about.”

“Then you need a distraction until you two can work it out. Maybe you should join my online sleuthing group, Crime Solvers International. CSI works together to solve cold cases, share theories, and put our detective skills to the test.”

Despite her tears, Charli smiled fondly. “Of course you’d join a group like that. You always had a knack for putting together puzzles and solving mysteries.”

“It’s a lot of fun, and it will definitely help to occupy your thoughts. And you’ll make some cool new friends…”

“I already have cool friends. You, Gracelyn, and Madison are the best.”

“Naturally.” Grinning, Haisley sent her an exaggerated hair flip. “But seriously. Join us for an evening. I just jumped onto a new case. It’s local, which makes it even juicier.”

“I don’t know. With everything going on with Daniel…”

“That’s exactly why you should join. He has purpose. Since you’re not married to your job, you should find one, too.” So she wouldn’t have to focus on her sadness so much. “Then maybe you’ll find some balance. And if you don’t”—she gave Charli’s hand a reassuring squeeze—“solving crimes with me will be fun.”

“I’ll think about it. Have you made new friends in the group?”

“Tons. The guy who runs it is a retired cop from Vegas. Super interesting. The moderators either have law enforcement, legal, or military background. The members are all super smart. And the group is growing. In fact, a new guy just joined yesterday. Jasper is the one who talked me into helping him with the case happening right here in Lafayette. Something about young women disappearing from the new outlet mall up the road?”

“Interesting.” Charli arched a brow. “Is Jasper cute?”

“I don’t know. It’s an online group.”

Charli waved a dismissive hand. “Details. Was he flirty?”

“More friendly than flirty, but that’s the way I want it. I’m steering clear of romance.”

“Maybe you should flirt with him. Jasper might be just what you need to get over Nash once and for all.”

“I wish.” Haisley wasn’t convinced that was possible.

Before she’d left LA, she’d been so certain she was finally over that man. But after one amazing, toe-curling New Year’s Eve kiss, he’d destroyed that hope.

Charli’s expression softened. “You deserve happiness. And who knows, maybe your online mystery guy will help you find some.”

“Maybe.” Haisley shrugged. “Or maybe there’s no such thing as happily ever after, at least for someone like me.”

“Someone like you? You mean someone awesome? You’re more lovable than you know. The right guy will come along.”

“Sure.” She told Charli what she wanted to hear. “Now, tell me all the gossip around town I’ve missed…”

As their conversation drifted to lighter topics, Haisley fought encroaching sadness.

No man had ever gotten to her the way Nash did. She didn’t think another ever would. Living almost two thousand miles from him had been painful enough. Living around the corner from him, so to speak, was bound to be agony. What would happen when he finally lost interest in her and focused on someone else? What if, heaven forbid, he got married, and she had to see the happy couple around town?

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