Page 25 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Dana stood on the sidewalk, left wondering about Detective George as he drove away. According to his recollection of the night, nothing happened between them. Given her state of inebriation, it easily could’ve. Which meant he was obviously a good guy.

Annoying as it was that Jake had sent him to check on her, it only drove that fact home. Jake called few people friend. Thanks to his overbearingness, Dana now had the privilege to call someone like George friend, too.

But that’s all they were. Friends.

She was relieved nothing happened between them last night.

So why do I still feel so guilty?

As Dana walked back inside, she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her.

She replayed the night's events in her mind, trying to understand why she felt so conflicted. She had always been careful not to get too involved with her colleagues, and now, here she was, feeling something she shouldn't for a complete stranger.

She collapsed back into her office chair. The soft hum of the city outside her window was a constant reminder that life was moving on. So why couldn’t she ?

She remembered the way George had looked at her, the genuine concern in his eyes. It was a look she hadn't seen in a long time, and it scared her.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Jake.

Did she really need to answer? George had surely sent him proof of life by now.

She knew Jake meant well, but she couldn't help feeling like a burden. She was a grown woman, capable of handling her own problems. But the truth was, she appreciated his concern more than she wanted to admit.

As the day wore on, Dana distracted herself with her work. She opened her laptop and began logging her research. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, her mind kept drifting back to George and his earnest offer of friendship.

Maybe, it wouldn't be so bad to let someone in. To have a friend she could rely on in this sprawling new city. And maybe, in time, she could untangle the complicated feelings she had for Jake and find a semblance of peace.

With a renewed sense of determination, Dana closed her laptop and got up to make herself a cup of tea. She couldn't change the past, but vowed to face the future with more hope.