Page 9 of Bachelor Cop Finally Caught? (Hot off the Press! 2)

“I don’t very often. But sometimes it’s good with Chuck’s gumbo. I am of age, Dan—want to see my ID?” she asked a bit too sweetly.

He knew very well that she was old enough to drink legally—which didn’t mean he had to like it. How often did she show up here like this, anyway—dressed this way and drinking beer?

He was seeing an all new side to B.J.’s little sister—one he wasn’t sure he liked. But then, Dan had never liked change.

They ate in silence for a few minutes—until their meal was interrupted by a big-shouldered young man with a shock of brown hair, his blue eyes focused squarely on Lindsey’s petite, but prime, cleavage. “Hey, Chief,” the intruder said without looking at Dan.

“Hey, Jimmy. What’s up?”

“Not much. How you doing, Lindsey? Haven’t seen you around in a while.”

She responded with her usual friendliness. “Hi, Jimmy. How are things at the muffler shop?”

“Lot better now that Delbert Farley’s behind bars. I always hated working with that as—that jerk.”

Dan found it extremely irritating that Jimmy’s gaze had hardly wavered from Lindsey’s neckline. “It was good to see you, Jimmy,” he said abruptly, not caring if he sounded rude. “Enjoy your dinner.”

“Oh, uh…yeah. See ya, Chief. You, too, Lindsey.”

“See you, Jimmy.” Lindsey waited until Jimmy was out of hearing distance before commenting to Dan, “You’re in a mood tonight.”

“What do you mean?” he asked a bit too sharply.

“See? You’re snappy. And I’m not even hassling you for a story.”

He shrugged. “Sorry. Guess I’m just hungry.”

She smiled a little and nudged the platter of corn fritters toward him. “So eat.”

Their hands brushed when he reached for one. Even as he reacted to the contact—not quite a static shock, but a similar feeling—he noticed that she’d had a manicure, her usually unvarnished nails now sporting a dark polish.

For some reason the observation made him frown again.

Chapter Three

Her makeover had been a massive waste of time, Lindsey decided glumly. The primping, the fussing, the shopping—all for nothing. Dan hadn’t even noticed.

Trying to feign enthusiasm for the food, she finished her meal.

“Do you want anything else?” Dan asked.

She shook her head. “Thanks, but I couldn’t eat another bite.”

“I’ll see if I can get the check, then.” Dan lifted a hand, trying to catch the young man’s attention. “Seems like Gary’s moving slower than usual tonight.”

“I’ve noticed that, myself. I wonder if he needs vitamins.”

Chuckling, Dan shook his head. “I think he’s just slow.”

“I’ll pay for my own meal, of course.”

Shooting her a glance over his coffee cup, Dan replied flatly, “You will not.”

“Look, I didn’t join you so you could buy my food.”

“Lindsey—I’m buying. Now drop it.”

She hated it when Dan used the same voice her brother used when he was annoyed with her. Dan wasn’t her brother, damn it. But it seemed as though there was nothing she could do to change his perception of her—which meant she’d blown a few hundred dollars worth of hairstyling aids, cosmetics and a great new dress.

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