After Love (20 page)

Nick smiled because she expected him to. But his mind had drifted to Jamie. The last time he'd enjoyed missing sleep, he'd been with her…being fucking noisy.

“You coming to Bane's this afternoon?”

Nick glanced down at Harley. Since he had no idea how the dog would react when enveloped in loosie-goosey smoke, he knew it wouldn't be wise to test it. “Nah, I've got to get Harley home. He hasn't eaten all day.”

“Oh, poor puppy.” Sam leaned over and stroked Harley's black ruff. “Well, maybe tomorrow.”

“I'll leave him at home,” Nick agreed.

They headed in different directions, with Sam catching up with Bane and Nick going to the parking lot where he'd left his truck. He had barely gotten inside the cab when his phone rang. When he saw Jamie's name, he suddenly felt a little breathless. Why was she calling? He answered, curious and a little cautious. “Hi, Jamie.”

Jamie panicked when he answered. What the hell was she doing? She had vowed to never see or contact him again, and here she was, calling him like a lovesick schoolgirl.

She thought about hanging up, but it was too late. Damn caller ID.

“Hi. How's Harley?” she asked. Safe question. Nick would never guess how happy she was to hear his voice.

“He's fine….Sitting right next to me. You wanna talk to him?”

Jamie laughed. There was a pause, and even though he didn't ask, she knew he was thinking,
Why is she calling?
She had been so adamant at their last meeting that she couldn't admit that she missed him…that the nights had been long and lonely without him…that she'd gotten used to looking forward to seeing him. No, she could never admit any of that to him. It might give him the wrong idea that she had changed her mind.

Her resolve had been firm until she got the invitation to conduct a workshop at the law-enforcement conference being held in Austin. No one mentioned Nick's name, but she had no doubt that he was the one who had suggested her name to the coordinator. It wouldn't be polite of her to not thank him for such a kind gesture. The added benefit would be that her hungry eyes would be able to soak him in. Jeez…the lovesick-schoolgirl analogy was ridiculously accurate.

It was a risk, since Nick had likely already moved on. Or he could be busy tonight…or not interested. Her whole body tingled in anticipation of his response. She didn't want to admit it, but she hoped the evening would end in his bed. She needed that one more time for closure….At least, that's what she told herself.

Finally she answered. “No, I was calling to see if you wanted to meet me for dinner. I'm in the city today, and I just thought…maybe…”

Nick did a little mental happy dance but kept his voice calm. “Sure. We just got out of class. Where do you want to meet?”

“You pick. I'm not familiar with Austin.”

“Where are you?”

“Northland and Mopac,” she told him.

“There's a really good Mexican restaurant right there on Northland, on the west side of Mopac.”

There was a pause, then Jamie said, “Oh, I think I see it. I'm parked at the gas station on the corner.”

“Wait for me in the bar. Try their homemade tortilla chips. They're the best.”

“Okay. See you soon.”

“I'm on my way.”

Nick's spirits soared. Jamie had called him. That meant she was missing him, right? He was momentarily sobered by the memory of the last time they'd talked, when he'd gotten his hopes up, only to have them smashed. The only thing he could do was to play it by ear…but shit, he was so excited that she had called.

He started his truck and would have broken every speed limit between downtown and Mopac, except that it was the beginning of rush hour and everyone else was heading out of town at the same time. He inched along, cursing every driver who cut in front of him until he finally pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant. He parked next to her SUV and hopped out. Harley sensed his master's excitement and wagged his tail in anticipation.

Jamie was sitting at the bar, a big margarita in front of her. Nick hesitated a moment, drinking in the sight of her. She'd left her hair loose around her shoulders, and it glowed golden red in the artificial light. Her tanned arms were bare and the sundress she was wearing dipped to offer an enticing view of her cleavage. She was more dressed up than he'd ever seen her, and he wondered what had brought her to Austin for the day.

She looked up at that moment and saw him. A genuine smile lit up her eyes and curved her delicious lips. She waved as if he hadn't noticed her.

“Hey, you can't bring that dog in here,” the hostess declared when Nick tried to pass her.

Nick flashed his badge. “Service dog,” he said, barely slowing down. “We need a table for two, preferably in a corner so he won't get in the way.”

“Yes, sir,” the hostess answered, her attitude changing quickly.

“I'll be in the bar,” he called back over his shoulder. His focus had been on Jamie from the second he walked through the doorway, and nothing was going to distract him. He slid onto the stool next to her.

She greeted Harley enthusiastically, then managed to neutralize her expression by the time she looked back at Nick. “How was class?”

“Boring. The movie today was supposed to be a classic.”

“Which one?”

“
Citizen Kane
. Ever seen it?”

“Probably. My mom used to love old movies.”

“We watched
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
last week. That was pretty cool.” God, could the conversation be more generic? Next they would be talking about the weather.

“Sir, your table is ready,” the hostess said from behind him.

Jamie picked up her almost-empty margarita glass and followed the hostess as she wove through the dining area until they reached a table in the far corner. Nick and Harley took the back seats.

“Your server will be with you shortly.” The hostess handed them both menus before returning to her station by the front door.

“What do you recommend?” Jamie asked as she studied the menu.

“I haven't actually eaten here. I'm more of a bar sitter,” Nick admitted.

“Hi, my name is Amber. Can I get you something to drink while you decide?” an attractive young woman, probably a UT student, asked as she stopped at their table and smiled.

“I'll take a Corona,” Nick said.

“And I'll have another margarita, frozen, with salt.” Jamie drained her glass and handed it to Amber.

“I'll turn this in and come back for your meal order.” She headed toward the bar.

“Why were you in town today?” Nick asked.

“There's a conference at the convention center for police departments from all over the southwest.
Someone
gave them my name, and they invited me to speak about specialized K9 training.” She leveled a knowing look at him. “I know it was you. Thanks.”

Nick shrugged off her gratitude. “I bumped into the guy who was organizing the event, and when he said one of his speakers had to drop out, I suggested you. No big deal.”

“It could be a very big deal. I gave out over two dozen cards, and several others approached me after the meeting and made appointments to come out to Woof Gang. Any one of those contracts would put us in the black.”

Amber returned with their drinks, and they gave her their food orders. When she left, Nick raised his beer. “Let's toast to your success.”

Jamie clicked her margarita glass against his bottle, and they each took a drink. “Careful. Daiquiri alert,” she whispered as Amber approached the table next to them with two giant red daiquiris with big, juicy strawberries sitting on the rims.

Nick never let go of Harley's leash when they were in a crowded public place, but he tightened it as a safety measure.

Harley had been lying with his head on his paws, but as the irresistible fruit passed him, he lifted his nose in the air and drew in deep breaths. Drool formed in the corners of his mouth, and his eyes watered, but he didn't jump up or make any attempt to get the strawberries.

“Wow, I'm impressed!” Nick exclaimed. “What did you do?”

“Trade secrets,” she teased. “Actually, he's a very smart dog. It didn't take him long to realize that he has to wait for commands. Besides, I think he knew you didn't approve, and dogs like to please their masters.”

“How's your case coming?” she asked.

“I've got an informant who could be the key to cracking the case. That is, if he's not brain-dead from breathing formaldehyde fumes all day.”

Jamie's expression was bewildered. Even after Nick explained about the crime museum and Veritably's plans for expansion, she still looked confused. “Does he really think people will pay to go see that?”

Nick nodded. “There are some crime and suspense writers who would probably find it useful for research. But I'd be more concerned about the psychos he's going to attract. Sounds like something Charles Manson or Ted Bundy would have visited.”

Harley settled back down, but Nick tied the leash to the slat-back chair so his hands would be free to put together and eat the fajitas he and Jamie had decided to share. Amber delivered their food, then came back with another margarita for Jamie and a beer for Nick.

“I meant to tell you,” Jamie said as they ate. “Your grandma was singing at the Spoke last week.”

“Really? I'd like to have seen that. She used to sing a lot around the house when we were kids, but I've never been to a show.”

“She was there with a local band. I guess their lead singer was sick. They did a lot of classic country but also some new stuff.” Jamie took a drink. “It must be fun to have such a cool grandmother.”

For Nick, his grandmother, with all her quirks and habits, had always just been his grandmother. The Grammy statue had been on the shelf for as long as he could remember, so to him it had always been just another knickknack. It was difficult to visualize his grandmother as a beautiful, talented, young woman. As he got older, he appreciated her uniqueness more, but he had never actually seen her onstage.

“I'm going to have to get her to call me next time she has a gig,” he said.

“I'll let you know if she comes back to the Spoke,” Jamie promised.

They finished their meal and moved to the patio to watch the sunset. Nick asked Amber to bring a bowl of water for Harley and ordered a glass of water for himself. To his surprise, Jamie ordered another margarita.

“I know I shouldn't, but they're so good.”

Nick didn't comment. She was an adult, and she should know her own capacity, but she seemed nervous. He wanted to hear why she had called. He suspected it was more than gratitude. “Last time I saw you, you pretty much told me to go to hell. What's changed?” He decided to be blunt.

Jamie's cheeks were already a little pink from the alcohol, but they reddened even more. Her eyes lowered to study the slushy ice mixture in her glass. “I never told you to go to hell,” she said a little defensively. “It was just that I was spending so much time with you that I…” Her voice trailed off.

“That you what?” he prompted, not willing to make it easy on her by backing off.

“That I got used to having you around.” Her voice was so low that he had to strain to hear it.

He grinned. “You missed me?”

She looked up and gave an exasperated sigh as if she was being forced to admit something she'd rather not. “There were parts of you I missed.”

Not exactly the revelation he'd hoped for, but at least it was something. Maybe tonight wasn't going to be so bad. He didn't want to frighten her off, so he changed the subject to something less provocative. “How's Jared?”

She relaxed and chattered on about her brother and his possible girlfriend. Nick waited for her to drop a hint about what might happen later, but she kept the conversation neutral. However, she was in no hurry to leave, which he took as a good sign.

Later, as they were walking out of the restaurant to their vehicles, he noticed she was a little unsteady on her feet. She almost fell as she tried to step over the curb stop in the parking lot. Nick grabbed her and kept his arm around her waist as they approached their vehicles.

She seemed to be having trouble focusing. “That last drink was a little stronger than the first four.”

“You had five margaritas?” Nick was surprised. He'd counted only four. She must have downed one before he arrived. He definitely wasn't going to let her get behind the wheel, and a cab ride to Dripping Springs would be very expensive.

“You're in no condition to drive home tonight,” he told her. “I have a spare bedroom at my place. You can sleep there, then I'll bring you back to pick up your car tomorrow morning.”

“Your place?” She leaned against him as if unable to stand without his support. “I guess…if you promise not to take advantage of me.” She giggled as if she'd made a hilarious joke.

Nick wasn't amused. He'd been dreaming of getting Jamie into his bed. But not like this. He was just a simple guy. Women were mystical creatures that he didn't totally understand…or care to. That was one of the advantages of not having an extended relationship. He didn't stick around long enough to try to understand their thought processes.

Jamie was the first woman Nick had cared enough about to want to know what made her tick. However, keeping up with her rapidly changing emotions was testing his resolve.

She didn't protest, apparently realizing that it was a stupid risk to drive home in her condition. Nick helped her get into his truck, and when her fingers fumbled with the seatbelt, he took over and buckled it for her.

Harley waited patiently for his turn, and Nick opened the door for him. “We've got company tonight,” Nick whispered. “Be on your best behavior.”

The dog smiled his approval. He couldn't think of anything better than to be riding in a truck with his two favorite people.

Jamie leaned her head against the passenger window. Nick thought she'd fallen asleep until she commented, “Austin is really pretty at night.”

The city was small compared to Houston or Dallas, but it had an interesting skyline with artistically designed buildings whose lights made them stand out against the night sky. And then, of course, there was the grand dome of the state Capitol and the colorful UT tower.

“Do you get into Austin often?” Nick asked.

“Not really. And hardly ever at night since Mike…” Her voice trailed off. “It's grown a lot in three years.”

“Lots of changes,” Nick agreed.

“Yes…changes.” She grew quiet again, but he could see that her eyes were open. Apparently she was deep in her own thoughts.

They pulled into his driveway. Nick hurried around to Jamie's side so she wouldn't fall while getting out. Gail was out in her yard, watering her plants. She scowled when she saw Nick's obviously inebriated date and grew even more angry when Harley jumped down.