Page 43 of Chasing Shelter

“Gee, thanks,” I muttered.

Gabriel laughed. “You want me to lie to you?”

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Might be nice once in a while.”

“Gotta get yourself a different bestie, then.”

“What are we, five?”

Gabriel just grinned at me. “I could make you a friendship bracelet.”

The image of Ellie giving Keely one of her bracelets flashed in my mind. The way she’d so easily slipped it off her wrist to make my daughter feel accepted and appreciated.

“What is it?” Gabriel pushed.

Hell.I needed to watch myself. Around everyone, but with Lolli and Gabriel especially. Lolli because she saw sex everywhere, and Gabriel because he hadn’t risen through the ranks of law enforcement for no reason—despite how much of a jokester he was. He had an expert read on people and paid attention to every hint and clue.

I shook my head and leaned back in my chair. “Nothing. You hear any updates on the vehicle that threw the egg at Ellie?”

Gabriel’s grin was back, only wider this time. “You’re taking a real personal interest in this one, huh?”

I glared at the friend I’d known for half my life. “She’s my neighbor, and she’s going to be family.”

“I don’t know, T. I hear she’s been wearing too many of your shirts to be consideredfamily.”

The image of her in my Mercer County Sheriff’s Department shirt with her bare legs and wet hair filled my mind. It wouldn’t have mattered if the whole house had been burning down around us. All I would’ve seen was her.

“The woman’s a walking disaster,” I gritted out.

Gabriel chuckled, a smug smile playing on his lips. “I don’t know. I think someone like her could be good for you. Make you live a little. Plus, she’s damn nice to look at. Smells good, too.”

My teeth ground together, my jaw working back and forth. I knew she smelled good. Like bergamot and rose—scents I shouldn’t have been able to peg—but they’d played in my mind until I finally nailed down what they were.

“Okay, okay.” Gabriel held up his hands in surrender. “Maybe you’re not interested. I might just have to ask her out, then. Take her to The Pop, on a tour of the town. Or maybe a picnic. Really get my swoon on.”

My entire body tensed as blood whooshed in my ears. Images of Ellie filling my mind weren’t anything new, but this time, she was on a picnic blanket with my best friend, gazing into his eyes, laughing as he told her jokes.

A deeper laugh cut into the nightmare, this one coming from across my desk as Gabriel tipped his head back and roared. “Jesus, Trace. You are so screwed.”

My fingers wrapped around the arms of my chair, digging into the padding. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Gabriel wiped tears from under his eyes. “Dude. You looked like you were about to snap me in two.”

“Maybe I’m beginning to reconsider my taste in friends,” I grumbled.

“Naw, you’ve got impeccable taste there. And don’t worry, I’m not going to make a move on your girl. Even if your ass is too stubborn to.”

Your girl.

Why did I like the sound of that so much?

I cleared my throat. “Let’s just focus on the case at hand, okay? We don’t need to add to the Sparrow Falls gossip mill.” One that was apparently working overtime if they were keeping up with how many T-shirts of mine Ellie had in her possession.

Gabriel fought a smile. “Whatever you want, boss.”

“Shut up,” I muttered.

He just laughed again. “No hits on the APB, but I’m thinking we could hit up a few informants. See if they know of anyone who might drive a vehicle like that. The color makes it unique.”

---