“Something wrong?” Cali appeared beside them.
Brit saw again the doubt in Quarles’ eyes as he stepped back to talk to Susan. Brit focused on Cali. “Stan just roughed up the clerk back at your hotel.”
Her eyes grew round. “Is anyone...badly hurt?”
Brit raked a hand through his hair. “It didn’t sound like it. I’m heading there to check things out. I’m going to get Susan to take you back to my place. I’ll get your things.”
Worry etched her brow. “I should go with you.”
“No.” He continued to study her. “Do you know how Stan could have found you?”
“He must have followed me.”
Brit frowned. “Not when I was with you, he didn’t.”
“Then I don’t know.” She looked around the room, panic showing in her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said, but it didn’t look like nothing. “Could you just take me to another hotel? I would prefer that to going to your place.”
He frowned, getting the feeling again that she wasn’t being completely honest with him. “Just go with Susan. We’ll talk when I get back.”
~
Cali left the restaurant with Susan. She could have called a taxi, and she even gave a quick thought to phoning Tanya, then she remembered Tanya’s date. Deep down, however, she chose to stay because of Brit.
“I’m sorry to impose like this,” Cali told Susan.
“You’re not imposing. I’m just glad that whatever pulled him away didn’t keep him from showing up at Mom’s party. And I’m thrilled he brought you.”
“Well, thank you.” Cali looked out the window and thought about her dream last night. Don’t stay at the same hotel. How had her maternal psyche figured that one out? Chills marched up her spine and she wondered if maybe she should go see Dr. Roberts again. Have her convince Cali that the dreams weren’t really her mother seeing the future.
“Have you and Brit been dating long?” Susan asked.
Cali inhaled. “We’re not…” She wasn’t sure what they were or weren’t doing.
“Dating?” Serious doubts played across Susan’s expression.
Cali had a hunch that Susan had seen them on the dance floor. “I mean, we’re not really dating. I’m a case.”
“That’s what he said, too.” Susan stopped at a red light and faced Cali. “I didn’t believe him, either.” She smiled. “You two look good together.”
Cali nodded. “It’s just the wrong time.” She hoped that would stop Susan from asking more questions.
“It’s never the right time.” Susan sent her another smile. “But I know it’s probably more about Brit’s job and him getting his ass in sling for dating someone involved with a case.”
“Yeah.” Cali gave that some thought. She didn’t want him getting his ass in a sling.
“But Brit’s always bucking authority.” Susan chuckled.
Cali nodded. A change of subject was needed and she pulled one out of thin air. “Brit said you lived in Austin. Do you visit much?”
“Every month or two,” Susan answered. “I’m a photographer, freelance, so I travel quite a bit anyway.”
“I took photography in college,” Cali said. “Loved it.”
“You teach art, right?” Susan turned the wheel.
They talked for the next ten minutes about painting and photography. Comfortable conversation. Then Susan pulled into a driveway. The quaint, red brick bungalow was located in one of the refurbished areas of town.
“Nice,” Cali said.
“You haven’t been here before?” Susan asked.
“No.” Suddenly, her decision to stay with Brit didn’t seem right. He wasn’t sure about what was happening between them. He could get in trouble with his job. Staying at his home meant crossing a line. Cops didn’t bring home their witnesses. Neither did they make out with them on a dance floor.
She looked at Susan. “I’m thinking that staying here might not be a good idea.”
“Why?” Susan, eyes the same blue-green color of Brit’s, studied her.
“Because your brother has already done too much. Because...it’s the wrong time.” Because I’m scared. Because I’ve got a bad habit of dating dickheads. Because my dead mother talks to me in my dreams.
“Brit doesn’t do what he doesn’t want to do. Besides, he’s not even here.” Susan got out of the car. Giving in, Cali followed her to the porch.
Susan unlocked the front door and reached in and hit the lights. “If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of case are you involved in?”
“It’s a long story.” Cali stepped inside, crossing the line into Brit’s personal world. She took in the decor—masculine, but nice. Dark leather furniture and bookcases. With the exception of some black and white photography, very little wall art. She glanced back at Susan. “A real long story. Is this your work?” she asked, hoping for a change of subject.
“Yeah.” She took a few more steps inside. “I like stories. Come on. I’ll get us something to drink.”