She turned the page, clearly trying to change the subject. “I love his sketches. Look how he captures her movements with each stroke. They’re so dainty and pretty, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but I also see their fierce determination. Look at their faces. And there’s sadness too.” He leaned a little closer to her. “Just like you.”
She rocked slightly toward him and nudged his ribs. “Sad? Please. I’m the happiest chick you’ll ever meet.”
She was definitely hiding something—that much he knew. But this was also a great date and it wasn’t time to get into anything heavy. “You know a lot about art,” he said in a feeble attempt at lightening the conversation.
“Yeah, I love to read and I love art.”
“You should go to art school.”
She snorted. “I’m thirty. I work at a bar.”
“You’re only thirty,” he corrected her. “And you work at a bar because you need a job. Do something you love.”
She shrugged and continued flipping through the pages.
“You’re beautiful, Jamie Lynn,” he said all of a sudden. He couldn’t help it. She was. With the soft glow from her app and in the old library, she seemed so genuine and sweet. Not that she wasn’t always genuine, but she normally wasn’t all that sweet. She was snarky and witty and confident. “This has been the best date I’ve ever had.”
She smiled back at him. “It has been a great date.” She closed the book and leaned closer. “Are you going to kiss me now?” she asked dreamily.
Her words and tone made him chuckle. He cupped the side of her neck and his thumb caressed her cheek. “I don’t see you begging yet.”
She had just opened her mouth to say something when the sounds of sirens startled them both. “Shit!” She slammed the book shut and slid it back to its home on the bookshelf. He stood and helped her up, his heart beating frantically in his chest.
Enzo pulled her toward the window they’d come in through, the moment effectively ruined. He jumped out first and then reached up to help her down. His adrenaline was pounding through his body as they began to run through the grassy field toward his car.
“Do not move! Hands where I can see them!” A blinding light shone in their eyes.
If he got arrested, his father would have a coronary. He’d lose his trust fund, his business, everything. Not to mention the implications for the businesses and their connections. He was beginning to panic. He turned to look at Jamie Lynn, who had stopped as well. But instead of seeming scared to death, she was lowering her hands and…was that a smirk?
“Jack?” She squinted. “Jack, is that you?”
“JL?”
The light shut off, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. He heard footsteps coming closer. “What the hell are you two doing breaking into the public library?”
Jamie Lynn hugged her friend before answering. “Why would a captain in the Tarpon Springs police force be answering a call about a library?”
“I was the closest one when the call came in. So you going to answer my question?” He extended his hand to Enzo, who took it in a firm handshake. Jack was Slade’s best friend and Enzo had seen him training a few times at the Academy. Enzo and Jack weren’t exactly friends, but they were definitely acquaintances, which was the case with almost every single person in Tarpon Springs—everyone knew everyone, which meant that everyone was at the very least an acquaintance. “We’re on a date,” JL said by way of explanation.
“Couldn’t take her somewhere nicer?” Jack chuckled. “You in the habit of breaking and entering on all your dates, Silva?”
“What can I say? It’s not a date unless we risk arrest.”
Jamie Lynn laughed. “It’s all my fault, Jack. I dragged him in there to show him a book. Bless his heart, you probably scared the shit out of him with your siren.” She looked over at Enzo and feigned a pout. “He’ll probably never want to go out with me again after this.”
“I figured it was your idea.” Jack chuckled. “Head on home, guys. Be glad it was me and not another officer.”
Jamie Lynn got on the tips of her toes and hugged Jack. “You rock, Jack. Have a good night.”
For some reason the contact between Jamie Lynn and Jack made Enzo uncomfortable. Jack was happily married and Jamie Lynn wasn’t flirting or anything. But still, he didn’t like it. He’d never been a jealous man, and the fact that it made