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“He does come on strong at times,” Audra agreed. “But only when he’s passionate about something or feels like there has been a major wrong in the world or he cares deeply.” She held Trinity’s gaze. “Dawson will be pissed at me for saying this, but it’s not like we all don’t know that Keaton fought his feelings for you for an entire year. He stumbled around, acting like an idiot because, for whatever reason, he wouldn’t act on the fact that he wanted to be with you.”
“If you had said that to me even a couple of weeks ago, I would have laughed in your face,” Trinity said. “The way he treated me—the things he said to me—didn’t seem like a man who was remotely interested in me. And I was totally into him, so it was a bit of a shock. But once we talked, I understood where he was coming from. Understanding his history put it in perspective.”
“He doesn’t talk much about his past.” Baily lifted the wine bottle and filled her glass. “I was still on and off with Fletcher when Keaton got engaged to Petra, so I know some of it, and she did shape a lot of who Keaton is today.”
“I know almost nothing about Petra,” Audra said. “Dawson always tells me it’s not his story to tell.”
“It’s not,” Trinity interjected, feeling as though she needed to stop the conversation. As if she were breaking Keaton’s trust somehow.
“I have no idea what or who you ladies are talking about.” Chloe sipped her wine.
“I’d rather we not continue discussing it,” Trinity added. “And for the record, it’s not because the topic upsets me, it doesn’t. The only reason I want to end thisright here is because Dawson is right, and no offense, Chloe, but for me to go into detail about who and what Petra meant to Keaton would be me breaking a confidence.”
Chloe nodded. “I’m totally fine with that.”
A quiet silence filled the evening air. The only noise was an owl in the background and an engine humming down the canal. A few minutes ticked by with no words.
“I want to ask you girls something, and it’s okay if you don’t want to answer, but I’m going to ask it anyway,” Chloe said, shifting in her seat. “I’m very much out of my element. I’m married to my career, and for now, I like my life that way. Settling down, getting married, or having children is not on my radar anytime soon. I became an FBI agent because I’ve always wanted to work in law enforcement, and there are things in my career I want to do. Before I achieve them, a husband or long-term relationship is out of the question. When I date, it’s with the understanding that I’m not sticking around. That makes me a bitch. I get that.”
“Stop right there,” Audra said. “I hate that. A career woman who knows what she wants and where she’s going isn’t a bitch because she doesn’t want what the world thinks she should want. So please don’t say that.”
“I appreciate you, but it doesn’t change my world.” Chloe laughed. “I grew up in a conservative family. While my parents are proud of me and what I do, they want me to get married and have kids, and they don’t believe I’ll find a husband in the FBI.”
“My late brother Ken didn’t want me to snag a husband here in Calusa Cove.” Baily laughed. “Ofcourse, he thought the only person out there for me was Fletcher.” She raised her hand. “And if any of you try to tell me he was right, I’ll put a python in your bed.”
Audra laughed. “Right, because that’s going to scare us.”
“It would freak me out.” Chloe sat up taller, squaring her shoulders.
“What was your question?” Trinity asked, bringing them back on task.
Chloe fingered her ponytail. “I’m sure you all know that Hayes and I have been…talking.”
“Is that all you’re doing?” Audra asked with a wide smile. “We’re not blind, and I’m not judging.”
“Nothing is going on. He’s asked me out a million times, and I’ve always said no. But we’ve had coffee. We shared lunch a couple of times. The flirting is a bit intense. There’s definitely an attraction there. It’s just that I’m not in a place where a solid relationship can form. Hayes is a good man, one of the truly nice guys out there. I’ve always said no because I wouldn’t want to hurt him when I do what I always do and say thanks for the good time, but we’re done because I’m too involved with my current caseload.”
“I don’t know how to say this without it coming across the wrong way,” Audra started. “And also, without sounding like a gossip.”
“Well, then I’ll say it.” Baily sighed. “I’ve known all the guys longer. I met them all before my brother died. I know them, but Hayes, well, he’s just different.”
“What does that even mean?” Trinity asked.
“Hayes doesn’t do relationships. He never has. Atleast not that I’ve ever known.” Baily shrugged. “I can’t tell you the why because that I don’t know. But I can tell you that he’s never had a long-time girlfriend. Ken, Julie, Fletcher, Keaton, Petra, Dawson, and some chick he was dating came for the holidays one year. Hayes came, too. But he came solo. Hayes always came solo. I once asked him, and he flat-out told me that unless he lasted more than a couple of months, he didn’t see the point. I pressed Fletcher on it, and he told me that Hayes never went that long. And he didn’t bring the girls he dated around them all that often. He’s just not interested in marriage or kids.”
“And now we are gossiping.” Audra laughed. “But Hayes is a good man. The best.”
Chloe leaned back. “I like Hayes. He’s funny, smart, and sexy. I just don’t want to lead him on, and whatever this is, it can’t go anywhere.”
“Looks like you both share the same dating philosophy. All you have to do is be honest,” Trinity said.
Chloe stared out at the water with a furrowed brow as if their words hadn’t registered.
“Is something else bothering you about getting involved with Hayes?” Trinity asked.
“It’s me,” Chloe said. “I don’t usually allow myself something like this when I’m knee-deep in such a big case. I’m conflicted, and I don’t like being conflicted. While I’m good at compartmentalizing, I’m finding myself in a place I’ve never been before.”
“Wait a second.” Baily leaned forward. “Are you saying it’syourfeelings you’re worried about and not Hayes’s?”