Page 37 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

“My timing is going to set tongues a-wagging,” George teased.

Dana looked down, realizing she was in her bathrobe, hair wrapped in a towel, her skin still warm after the scalding hot shower she’d taken to wash the horrors of the crime scene from her.

“I wasn’t expecting guests at this hour,” she admitted.

“Sorry to just drop by,” George said again. “I wanted to check in on you, like I said, but I selfishly also need a nightcap and didn’t want to drink alone.”

Dana looked at the time. “I think the hotel bar is closed.”

George grinned. “And you’re telling me your swanky suite doesn’t have a mini bar?”

Dana had almost forgotten about the fully stocked bar in the corner. Considering how much time she spent haunting the local bars in the French Quarter she hadn’t gone through her supply as quickly as she’d thought.

“Pick your poison,” she said, handing George the skeleton key that unlocked the carved wooden cabinet above the wet bar.

He used the ancient key like it was second nature, perusing the cabinet contents only momentarily before making his selection.

He grabbed two rocks glasses and opened the mini fridge below the bar in search of ice.

The freezer compartment was miniscule, but it held the necessities.

George put a few cubes in each glass and added two fingers of rye whiskey.

Handing one glass to Dana, he clinked his glass against hers and took a sip.

“It’s no Sazerac,” he said. “But it’ll do.”

Dana set her glass down on the coffee table without partaking. Something George noticed. “You good?” he asked, raising his eyebrows at the abandoned drink.

“Fine,” she answered, sick of being asked that question. “Just not in the mood for a drink.”

George nodded. “Neither am I actually,” he said, downing what was left in his glass anyway. “But it helps me sleep after a night like tonight. I’m sorry about that, by the way.”

“About what?” Dana asked, taking a seat on the antique sofa.

George joined her. “Ruining a perfectly wonderful evening with a crime scene.”

Dana shrugged. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

“I gathered that from your professionalism at the scene.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said.

George pointed at her abandoned drink. “You mind?”

“It’s all yours.”

Dana watched him knock back the amber liquid in one gulp. “Did something happen after I left?”

“No. It’s just the usual waiting game,” he drawled, words dripping in southern charm, but Dana still heard the frustration creeping through. “I appreciate you being so accommodating. You went above and beyond considering I invited you to dinner, not a crime scene.”

“Yes, and you neglected to tell me dinner meant your sister’s pre-wedding festivities,” Dana teased.

George waved her off. “This is Nawlins. I told you we’re not formal around here. Though my dates do tend to go like they did tonight. According to my sisters, it’s why I’m still single.”

“Tonight was a date?” Dana asked, her voice pitched with surprise.

“Dinner, dancing … what would you call it? ”

“Well, considering it ended in a graveyard, I might call it a cautionary tale.”

George laughed. “Shepard neglected to say how funny you are.”

Dana’s chest tightened at the mention of Jake. She liked the way George kept things light. It was the opposite of the usual tension between her and Jake. But the moment he was brought up, the easiness Dana felt with George vanished.

She hated the betrayal that nagged at her each time she enjoyed George’s company. Why did it have to be one or the other? Easy or hard? George or Jake?

Maybe I’m meant to be alone.

Dana wished she could ignore her subconscious, but it wasn’t wrong.

Alone had been the route that served her best for most of her life. Given her track record, changing it now seemed like a risk not worth taking.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t more help with your crime scene,” she said, hoping to avoid the topic of dates altogether.

“You were more help than you realize,” George replied.

It was Dana’s turn to raise her eyebrows. “Really? I debunked the authenticity of your mask. I don’t see what else I have to offer.”

“True, but I have a feeling you knew that before you ever laid a finger on that mask.”

Dana didn’t deny it, so George continued.

“My team is good, but your instincts are better.”

“Your flattery is unnecessary,” she replied.

“Maybe, but give yourself credit where credit is due. Shepard was right about you. You’re the real deal, and I’d be lucky to have someone with your expertise assist on this case.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready to make that commitment,” she answered.

“I can respect that,” George said.

“If the coroner needs help identifying the transnasal craniotomy, I can be of assistance,” Dana offered. “But beyond that …” she trailed off.

“Understood,” George replied. “I think I’m ready to sign off as detective for the evening. Let’s dwell on happier things while we can, like the fact that the fais do-do is reconvening later this week, and Cadie is insisting on your attendance.”

“Can I think about it?” Dana asked.

George stood. “Sure. But don’t think too hard.” He reached for her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “Goodnight, Dr. Gray.”