Page 103 of Ozzie

When I return to the table, he leans back as if giving me space.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I can be a bit overly touchy. It comes from having four older sisters.”

“That’s a lot of sisters.” Part of me wants to say more to put him at ease, but another part of me is done dealing with anyone else. I’ve got too much going on between John and Ozzie. I take a deep breath.

“It is.”

I take a drink of water. “John barged into my sister’s two days ago.” Wait, that’s not right. “No, it was yesterday. It’s starting to become a blur. Anyway, my father told him I was back here. It’s not unreasonable to assume he’s on his way or possibly already here.”

He frowns. “Why did your dad tell him where you were?”

I roll my eyes. “It’s a long story and not something I want to get into now. I’ll deal with him later.”

We spend the rest of lunch talking about our different corners of Montana. It turns out we have a lot in common and talking to him is easy.

On the way back to the office, he shoves his hands into his pockets. “Can I ask you something personal?”

I laugh. “Isn’t that what we spent all lunch doing?”

He grins. “True. How old are you?”

My cheeks heat up, and I glance away, hoping he doesn’t notice. Everyone always reacts in shock when I tell them how young I am. “Twenty-two.” I glance back, and he’s still smiling.

“That’s good. It’s nice having someone else in the office close to me in age. I’m twenty-five.”

He does look young so that doesn’t surprise me, but his statement does.

“You don’t consider the guys in their thirties close in age?”

He rolls his eyes. “Not really. They’re nice, don’t get me wrong. But have you heard some of their music choices? It’s nice having someone closer who might appreciate the same stuff.”

We reach the office, he opens the door, and we step inside.

“After work, we’ll need to stop by my place so I can pack a few things. I hope that’s all right.”

I nod. “Of course.”

He knocks his knuckles on my desk. “Good. I’ll see you then.” He steps away but glances back at me with a smile.

I stare after this guy who is close to my age and feel nothing. He’s an attractive man; there is no denying that. But there’s no chemistry.

And I’m not surprised. Ozzie has my heart. Now he just has to get free of these charges.

CHAPTER 30

Ozzie

I squintat the bright afternoon sky as we exit the police station. We were held for too long, in my opinion. Lightning and I were told the guy I shot in the leg changed his story. No doubt the senator got to him and threatened him if he told the truth.

Lightning and I get into Reed’s car.

“I’ll go through a drive-through on the way back. I figure you guys are hungry,” Reed says.

My stomach growls in agreement. “Thanks, that would be great.”

“Why did it take so long?” Lightning asks from the back seat. “We were in there for a week.”

Reed glances back at him. “First of all, don’t get arrested at the end of the week. Second, a week isn’t long at all,considering the charges. You two are lucky as hell that we finally found Mitchel Walton and his mom.

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