“I’m not.” I blew out a breath. “Okay, I’m pushing a little. But we check every box.”
“Box? Wow.” She released a sharp laugh, then turned on her heel and gave me her back. “Maybe some of us aren’t checkboxes.”
I moved to follow her out and nearly slipped on the puddle around me. I swore and snatched a towel off the rack. “Dammit, Bee. I don’t mean it like that. I just mean we’re so solid and perfect for each other.”
She’d fled to her room and closed the door in my face. She hadn’t gone into that room for more than a change of clothes for over two weeks now. I knocked. “Bee—Gina.” I slapped my palm against the door. “Talk to me.”
“What’s there to talk about? You’ve got it all figured out,” she called through the door.
“Of course I don’t.” Obviously, since I’d somehow fucked up between our orgasms and sweet talk.
She swung the door open. She had a bulky green sweater on over leggings. Her wet hair was tied back into a tail. She pushed past me and bent to pick up her boots in the hall then gathered up her clothes and headed into the bathroom again. She opened the hamper and released a startled gasp.
I followed her in and sighed. “Sorry. I had to put my gun somewhere.”
“In your gun safe,” she tossed back, pushing me out of her way.
She stalked back to her room with her clothes then sat on the bed and tied her boots.
“Hold up, I’ll get dressed and we can get Sami.”
My phone rang in the bathroom. “Shit.” I hadn’t called into work to tell them I wasn’t going to be back in. I’d been a little distracted. I strode back in and sighed. “It’s the station.”
“It’s fine.”
I winced. I might not be great at relationships, but I knew fine wasn’t the best word to hear. “Hang on just a second.” I tucked the phone at my ear. “Brooks.”
“Hey, Sheriff. We’ve got a situation here. I know you’re busy.”
My instinct was to tell Christian to handle it, but dammit, I’d been focusing on my own family issues and leaving him to do everything lately. I rubbed my forehead. “Right. It’s fine.” I glanced over at Bee and held up a finger.
She lifted her chin.
Great. “What’s up?”
“There was a small fire at the flower shop.”
My blood froze. “My dad?”
“No, Kathy and Monty’s place on Main. Electrical as far as I can figure, but it’s chaos.”
“Yeah. I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks, boss.”
“Everyone all right?” Gina asked stiffly. “Nothing with your dad?”
“No, Morty’s Floral on Main. There was an electrical fire and there’s a bit too much chaos for Christian to handle alone.”
“Right. I’ll take care of getting Sami. Do you want me to get Sadie too?”
“Up to you. She’ll probably make my brother’s life hell if she’s away from the baby too long.”
She gave me a half smile. “She does love her.”
“Just like us.”
She nodded. “There’s no doubt how much I love that little girl, Brooks.”
And me? That might be a little more in jeopardy than I thought. “Yeah, I know. I hate to leave you to do it all. It’s been a long day.”
“Sounds like it’s going to be even longer for you. We’ll be fine. I’m going to take the Jeep to get her.”
“Thanks.”
She nodded and turned to the stairs.
“We’re okay, right?”
She didn’t answer me. And my damn phone rang again before I could chase her.
“Dammit.” I answered, “Brooks.”
“Hey, Sheriff. It’s Adam. Not sure if you’ve been put into the loop about Morty’s.”
“I just got called in.”
“Oh, good. Can you meet me at the florist’s? I’m on point for the fire until Jake gets back on duty. He’s off for the week for obvious reasons.”
“Right. No problem. I’m heading out now. I’ll be there in fifteen.”
“Perfect. Oh, and I’m sorry to say I don’t think it’s going to be a quick one.”
I blew out a breath. “Of course it’s not.”
“Sorry, man. It’s looking suspicious.”
“Shit. Really?”
“Yeah, we’re going to need to do a full investigation.”
Yeah, Bee wasn’t kidding. It was definitely going to be a long one.
Twenty-Four
Luna and Ryan tried to lure me in to hang out, but my exhaustion was at an epic stage. I offered up baby details and gave the wine bottle they plied me with a longing glance. However, Ryan’s place was tiny and if I had one glass of wine, I was pretty sure I’d be on my ass for the rest of the night.