Page 59 of Out to Get Her
“What do you think?”
“At least I can feel like I’m helping out this way,” Samantha said. “I’ll bring snacks and Dexter in a little while.”
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
Erin waved awkwardly as Samantha wove through parked cars to her own. Trey rejoined her a few seconds later.
“And what exactly is your gigantic smile for?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar.”
“I’m just really excited about storm snacks.” Erin pulled her attention from Samantha and redirected it to Trey. “Speaking of storm snacks. You should hang out with us through this thing. Zack is staying at the house, too.”
“Thanks. Sounds fun, but I want to stay at our place. Mom and Dad have been through their fair share of these, but I’d worry too much if I’m not around.”
“I get it.” Erin bumped against his arm. “We’ll have to do a non-storm sleepover for all of us another day.”
Trey laughed. “That sounds dangerous.”
“Does that mean you’re in on a rain check?”
Trey’s big, dark eyes stared into Erin’s for longer than was probably necessary to answer that question. She got the distinct feeling that he was as glad and surprised as she was to have found friends in this place after all this time.
That charming grin made its way back to his face. “You bet.”
* * *
Samantha stacked all of Paul’s case files and began stuffing them in a bright blue tote bag that said “Pug Life” with a sketch of what could have been Dexter’s twin.
She’d originally planned to ride out the storm at the station, since it was a better option than spending a night with no power at her mother’s house. There wasn’t enough wine in all of Etta to make that even remotely bearable.
But then Erin had offered an alternative. A mighty enticing alternative.
Now she could spend the night going through her files in light of the new evidence. She’d be on call through the storm, and the plan was for her to take any emergency calls in Erin’s area, while Dustin tackled the area near his mom’s house and Gary ran point at the station. It was a tactical bonus.
Plus, she’d get to ride out the storm all night with Erin.
And Zach and Dexter and that parrot.
But mostly Erin.
“Dustin, where’d you put those prescriptions you bagged from the Sonnier house?”
“They’re on your desk,” he said, pouring a cup of coffee.
“Um, no. They’re not. Did you maybe put them down somewhere on the way to my desk?” She lifted the files, one folder at a time, checking underneath and inside each. No luck.
“No.” He walked over and moved a stack of papers secured with a binder clip. “I put the bags right here last night.”
“Connie, did you see some evidence bags on my desk?”
Maybe Gary had asked her to bring them in his office to keep them in there. As soon as he got off his phone call, she could grab them for a second. She wanted to take a look before she headed out to make note of the doctor and see how many prescriptions they’d found. Maybe she could be on the lookout for more at Erin’s place while she was there. They could have a scavenger hunt sleepover.
She really was turning into a giddy teenager.
This was all Erin’s doing. And Samantha wasn’t entirely sure she didn’t like this change in herself. It felt kind of nice to be genuinely excited about something for once.
