that had held the golden vision she’d kept highlighted in her mind through the dark, lonely days of her captivity. “It’s getting there.” She smiled. “Come inside,” she said, turning and leading the way.
Zach stepped into the doorway, one hip leaning on the frame as he watched them approach. He looked so right there, and for a moment Josie’s heart stalled.
He stepped back so they could enter, and Josie closed the door, pushing the feeling that had just swept over her aside. “Cooper Hart, this is Zach Copeland. He’s a detective for the Cincinnati Police Department. He’s working on the cases we talked about on the phone, the ones that involve me and . . . Marshall Landish.”
Cooper nodded, shaking Zach’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” Zach tilted his chin, a strange look on his face as he eyed her good-looking friend. Was that . . . jealousy? She shook the thought off. Surely not. Anyway, Cooper was gay . . . not that Zach knew that.
They moved into the living room and sat down, Cooper putting his elbows on his knees and leaning toward Josie. He met her eyes, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her. “This must be really hard for you.”
“It is. But Zach . . . Detective Copeland and his whole department have been wonderful.” She looked at Zach and then looked down shyly for a moment, and when she looked up, Cooper had a small, knowing smile on his face, his eyes slightly narrowed as he glanced at Zach and then at Josie. He winked at her and she blushed, but an awkward laugh bubbled up her throat. God, she really didn’t know how to take friendly teasing anymore, how to be . . . light and . . . casual. Maybe she’d lost the ability completely. She wiped her palms on her jeans, feeling nervous and fidgety despite her happiness at seeing Cooper. “How are you, Cooper?” she asked. “Tell me what’s going on in your life.”
He sighed, sitting back. “Nothing too exciting. I’ve been in a few relationships recently but they were all short-term.” He gave her a small smile, and then glanced at Zach. “I’ve been working at an architectural firm downtown.”
“That’s great.” So he’d gotten his degree, the job he wanted. It was another reminder of how she’d remained in one place while everyone else had moved on. But she wasn’t in the mood for a pity party. She was making strides, and now that she’d started, she knew she wouldn’t stop.
Another car could be heard crunching over gravel in the driveway and Zach stood. “I’ll get it,” he said, glancing at Josie.
A minute later, Josie heard voices at the door and a second after that, Reagan and a man Josie didn’t know walked into the living room. Josie stood and Reagan let out a small gasp, moving quickly toward her on a small squeal. Josie felt a tidal wave of emotion slam into her as she hugged the woman who had been her best friend. She clung to her, some form of relief gripping her tightly. “Oh my gosh, Reagan,” she said, standing back and wiping a tear from her eye. “You look amazing.” And she did. It hardly seemed as though nine years had passed. She looked like the same bright-eyed college girl she’d been when Josie had met her.
“So do you. Wow,” Reagan said, wiping her own tears away. She turned, holding out her hand to the man who’d entered the room. Josie wobbled, feeling slightly off balance as she watched him approach. She knew him. How did she know him? “This is my husband, Evan,” Reagan said.
Evan approached, his eyes darting over her once before he met her gaze. “Hi, Josie.”
“I know you,” she murmured. “I’ve . . . met you before.”
Reagan bobbed her head. “I met him in geology class at UC,” she said. “We started dating right before . . .” She cleared her throat, looked away.
Right before you disappeared.
She stared at Evan. “Yes,” she murmured. “You were there that night too.”
Reagan nodded again. “Yes,” she said. “That’s the reason I wanted him here.” She smiled. “I mean, other than for you to meet the man I love.” Her smile grew as she gripped his arm. Josie looked back and forth between them, and then to Cooper who was watching them all closely.
Why did Josie feel so faint? As though she’d suddenly been shoved back through a time tunnel and she didn’t have