Great. This was just great. Knowing Nick, he probably had an officer stationed outside Theresa’s house, too. But Vero was right. I’d learn more about the status of the investigation sitting in his car than I would watching it play out from my window.
I hopped in a fast shower, towel-dried my hair, swiped on some mascara and gloss, and stood in my towel in front of the closet. My wardrobe consisted mostly of sweatpants and Tshirts, so I was surprised to find my only pair of black slacks, cleaned and pressed, hanging beside a crisp white button-down shirt that Vero must have washed and ironed for me. I dragged them on, nearly tripping myself as I rushed to sling on a pair of low heels. If we were going to a forensics lab, I should at least look like I’d arrived in the front of a police cruiser, rather than the back of one.
I descended the stairs, fishing around for the holes in my ears with the posts of the diamond studs Steven had bought for me on our first anniversary. I hadn’t worn them since the divorce, and I was surprised to find the holes in my lobes hadn’t closed completely.
Nick and Vero glanced up as my heels clicked into the kitchen. Vero looked confused. “I’m sorry. Do I know you? Because I thought I worked for a vampire in yoga pants.”
Ignoring her, I turned to Nick. “Ready to go?”
He wore a crooked smile as he rose from his chair, his gaze falling into the deep V in my blouse. “Is that a euphemism?”
Heat bloomed over my chest and I turned sharply for the door.
Vero snickered into her textbook. “Have her home before dark, Detective. Finlay has a book to work on.”
“We’ll be back in a few hours,” I called over my shoulder.
The children’s duffels were already packed and waiting in the foyer. The sight of them left me feeling a little untethered. I was pretty sure I’d never get used to this. Nick waited as I pasted on a convincing smile and gave them each a kiss good-bye. Delia’s peach-fuzzy hair was soft against my chin. Zach’s pudgy cheeks smelled like Cheerios and warm milk and I breathed them in. “Be good for your daddy, and I’ll see you on Monday morning, okay?”
I swiped my eyes. When I threw open the door, Steven was standing in front of me, his hand poised to knock. I darted a panicked glance into the windshield of his truck, thankful Theresa and Aimee weren’t in it.
Steven’s jaw tensed as he looked over my shoulder at Nick. Nick came around me and extended a hand. Steven took it reluctantly.
“Who’s this?” he asked me.
“That’s Nick,” Delia answered from the living room, dragging her naked Barbie around by the hair. “He’s a friend of Aunt Georgia’s.”
“Oh, yeah?” Steven’s smile was bitter under his ball cap, his tight fists punching an outline through the pockets of his sweatshirt.
“He and Mommy are dating.”
My eyes flew wide as I realized how this must look to him. I couldn’t remember the last time Steven had seen me wear makeup. Or anything other than pajamas, for that matter. I gestured to Nick. “We’re not … I mean, he’s not…”
“This is the attorney?” Steven glowered, his blue eyes raking over Nick with a look of disgust.
“No,” Delia said. “He’s a policeman. Like Aunt Georgia.”
I pulled Steven aside and said in a hushed voice, “You know Delia. She has no idea what she’s saying.”
“Why do you all keep saying that?” Delia huffed.
“Don’t forget to feed Christopher,” I called back to her.
“Christopher?” Nick asked, leaning close enough for his breath to warm the shell of my ear as Steven glared at him.
“Her goldfish,” I answered.
Delia padded into the foyer and tugged on her father’s sleeve. “Can we go get Sam today?”
Steven screwed up his face. “Who’s Sam?”
“The doggy at the shelter.” She gazed up at him with pleading eyes. “Aaron told me I could adopt him. But Mommy said since Christopher already lives here, Sam will have to live at Theresa’s house.”
Steven gritted his teeth. “She did, did she?”
“We should go,” I said, surprised when Nick’s hand found the small of my back on the way to the door. He smirked, making a grand gesture of holding it open for me as I blew kisses to my kids and told them I’d see them on Monday. I saw Steven’s face watching us through the window as Nick opened the passenger-side door for me. In my rearview mirror, Mrs. Haggerty’s curtains fluttered like a ghost. Nick got in and started the car.