Page 33 of Girl Between

Dana’s nose wrinkled. “I’m a vegetarian.”

George bit his lip, trying to hide his grin.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“No,” Dana insisted. “That grin means something.”

“Nothing bad, just that you might need to get a hall pass on your vegetarianism tonight.”

She frowned, looking down at her now empty bowl. “What’s in the gumbo?”

“Let’s just say Thumper wouldn’t approve.”

Dana paled, and George took the paper bowl from her, dumping it in the trash as he led her to the dance floor before she could overthink it.

“You good?” he asked as he twirled her around.

“Mm-hmm,” she replied unconvincingly.

“You sure? Cause I’ve seen that green look on your face before. It was right before you made a beeline for my bathroom.”

“Don’t remind me,” she groaned.

George laughed, twirling her again. When he pulled her back toward him, he said. “I dated a vegetarian once. Rule of thumb, in Nawlins, it’s best if you don’t ask what’s in a recipe.”

“Lesson learned,” she said.

“It was one night. The rabbits will forgive you,” he teased. “Besides, I dare say it looked like you were enjoying yourself.”

He watched her fight a smile. “I know what you’re doing.”

“What’s that?”

“Trying to charm me with your family and friends so I’ll agree to work this case with you.”

The fast-paced song they’d been dancing to ended, replaced by the slow melody of Harry Connick, Jr. crooning, “It Had to be You.” George pulled Dana closer. He settled her arms around his neck, before resting one hand on her waist. He used the other to lead her around the dance floor. “Is it working?” he asked.

“Is what working?”

“Are you charmed?”

Her lips quirked up. “Maybe.”

He met her beautiful brown eyes and forgot himself for a moment. “Okay, maybe that was my plan. But would that be so bad?”

“That depends,” she said, seeming as caught up as he was as they swayed to the music under the canopy of white lights and stars that had begun to wink into the night sky.

George moved closer, letting his lips graze Dana’s ear as he spoke. “On what?”

“On how involved you need me to be.”

“It doesn’t have to be anything official. Let’s just spend some time together, look into the mask, see where it takes us. If we solve a case, make my city a little safer in the process …” he shrugged. “Seems like a win to me.”

Her words were soft, hesitant against his neck. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

He pulled her even closer, letting his eyes close as he inhaled the scent of her hair. The heat of her against him was alluring. He reveled in the feel of her for a moment before speaking. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re ready for, and we’ll do that.”