while in Maria Tindal’s kitchen, going through the knives, he couldn’t help thinking of all the times they’d stood in his kitchen or hers, doing something together—sometimes without a stitch of clothes on. For some reason, they’d liked being naked around each other.
“So, we’re going to the gun range now?”
“Yes.” He watched her walk around the cruiser to get in the other side and wished he could stop his body from reacting. He also wished he could push his earlier conversation with his associate, Daniel Zinc, from his mind.
Daniel was a detective in the Special Crimes Unit. He’d seen Toni that morning, and as soon as Andrew stepped off the elevator, Daniel cornered him, asking questions about his new partner.
Andrew had always thought Daniel was a nice guy. He’d been one of the first who’d befriended him when he became a detective, although they worked in different crime units. Daniel was also someone he would get together with on occasion to watch football or basketball games.
However, at that moment, he wasn’t liking Daniel a whole hell of a lot. He knew it wasn’t fair and that he had no right. What he’d had with Toni had been close to five years ago. He was certain she had been involved with other men since then, just like he’d been involved with other women. Yet the thought of her getting involved with someone he considered a friend bothered him.
Once inside the cruiser, he snapped his seatbelt in place, still thinking about Daniel. If he introduced himself to Toni, Drew knew she would like him. Everybody liked Daniel. He was an all-around nice guy. And though Andrew had no right to be bothered by anything Toni did, he knew he would be pissed, just the same.
He started the ignition and didn’t say anything as he drove toward the expressway that led to the gun range. This was his problem, not hers. And he’d have to deal with it. But how?
“Is something wrong, Drew?”
They had stopped at a traffic light and he glanced over at her. He was trying to get used to seeing her hair pulled back in a ponytail. When they’d been together, she’d always dressed to seduce. Her hair would flow around her shoulders and she would wear some of the sexiest outfits; those meant to intentionally fire his blood. And they never failed to do it.
“What makes you think something is wrong?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe it’s presumptuous of me, but I think I know you well enough to detect when you’re upset about something. Is it about the case? You want to talk about it?”
That was the last thing he wanted to do. Then again, maybe he should. They had to work together, and it would be easier if they could head off any potential problems before they got serious, whether they were warranted or not.
“It’s about Daniel Zinc, one of the detectives in the Special Investigation Unit. You haven’t met him yet.”
“What about him?”
“Daniel approached me this morning. He’s seen you and knows you’re my new partner and…”
She lifted a brow. “And what?”
“He wants to meet you. Knowing Daniel, he’ll probably ask you out. He’s a nice guy, but…”
“But what?”
“I don’t know how I feel about that, Toni. About the two of you dating.”
• • •
Toni’s heart nearly stopped beating. Did she dare to hope, even a little, that Drew was jealous? Could Joy have been right? Drawing in a deep breath, she knew she had to proceed with caution and not assume anything.
Still, she knew Drew and doubted he would admit to jealousy. So why did he have a problem if she dated this Daniel?
“Why does it matter to you, Drew? We haven’t dated in almost five years.”
“I know that, but it would still feel awkward, Toni.” His eyes were back on the road. More than anything, she wished she could look into them.
“Awkward in what way?”
She saw his mouth tighten. “It would just seem weird knowing a woman I used to sleep with is now dating a guy I know from work. If Daniel knew about our past relationship, out of respect for my feelings, he wouldn’t ask you out. But he doesn’t know, and we agreed not to tell anyone.”
He paused for a moment. “How would you feel if I had transferred to Miami and asked out someone you knew? Wouldn’t you feel awkward?”
Instead of answering his question, she asked, “Would it make you feel better…or less awkward…if I dated someone you didn’t know?”