Kissed Blind (Hot Pursuit #2)(91)

Vance turned the knob on the radio up, hesitated for a second, and then turned it off. “What did he mean, he was sorry?”

I wanted to bask in the glory that Vance had spoken an entire sentence to me, but I didn’t want to answer his question. “It was nothing.”

We came to a stop sign, and he turned to me. “Did he put the moves on you?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s over and he’s going home.” The car that had pulled up behind us honked. “You better get moving before they bump us.”

Vance advanced down the road and pulled onto the highway. “So he did?”

“Like I said, it doesn’t matter.”

“These Hollywood guys, I swear they’re all sleaze balls.” The blinker clicked as we merged into traffic.

“He’s not sleazy, he was confused. He kissed me, but I stopped him and that was the end of it.”

“He kissed you?” He shifted in his seat like his shirt was too tight.

I never responded and turned the radio up. We drove the rest of the way to B&B’s office listening to whatever played on the radio. When we pulled into our parking spot, it was time to face the music.

“Stay strong in there,” Vance offered.

“I will.”

“We did what we had to do and explained ourselves well, but should things start going south, I’ll take the rap for it.”

“I did it just the same as you.”

“If it hadn’t been for me and my family’s situation, you wouldn’t have.”

“Okay, fine.” He had me there. I wouldn’t have done it if it hadn’t been for him, but I was just as accountable for what had happened as he was. It wasn’t worth arguing over.

We walked in to face our firing squad. We knocked on Cavanaugh’s door, and he barked for us to come in.

Cavanaugh crossed his hands on his desk. “Well, I think we all know why we’re here.” Vance and I nodded and took our seats. “You both worked outside the parameters set up by this company. Before I tell you how I’m going to proceed, I’d like to ask if either of you has anything else to say.

Vance shook his head.

“No, sir. I think everything has already been discussed,” I added.

“Right.” He leaned back in his chair and rested his crossed hands on his round belly. “As of right now you’re both on probation.”

My cheeks grew unexpectedly warm. Probation was at least better than getting fired.

“But, sir.” Vance grabbed his arm rests and leaned forward.

Cavanaugh held up his hand and stopped him from continuing. “No. The guidelines and code of conduct are straightforward. You’re both lucky you’re not being terminated. Were it not for the glowing praise that came in from Mr. Pierce, I might not have been swayed so easily. You are, however, the best we’ve got and it would be a shame to lose you. Next time you won’t be so lucky.”

“Yes, sir,” we answered.

“How long?” Vance asked.

“Two months. Then we’ll reevaluate.”

It was a fair punishment and an outcome I could handle. All in all, I was relieved.

“All right, get out of here. Enjoy your weekends. Be in bright and early on Monday for your next assignment.”

We left the office and walked out to the car a little lighter in our boots.

I clicked my seatbelt across my lap. “That wasn’t so bad.”

“Could have been much worse. I was surprised he didn’t say more, but I can live with this.” He pulled out of the lot and started toward my place.

“So, you and Cici got pretty close.”

“Don’t start.”

“I’m not, I swear.” I held up my hands. “I was just wondering how you guys left it.” I was being nosy, but I needed to know where his heart was. Plus, he was actually talking to me.

“She said how tired she was working for Oliver and that she wanted to live her life for her, so she was upset to be leaving. But I think once she gets back home, she’ll be okay. We knew it was going to end.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

He squinted. “Yeah, I guess. I’m going to miss her. I liked her. A lot.”

Hearing he really liked someone stabbed a needle into my heart, but it was probably how he’d felt, in some remote way at least, when I was with Gabe. But now, Gabe and Cici were both out of the picture.

We drove along and eventually arrived at my curb. I pulled on the handle but stopped before getting out. “Hey, it’s been a while, and I know you still kind of hate me, but you wanna come in and play a few hands of something? Your choice?”

He huffed. “I don’t hate you. You just really pissed me off.”

“I know.” I tucked the corner of my mouth into my cheek and looked up at him through my lashes. “But do you?”

“Can’t. Pop has been home for a couple of days and I haven’t seen him yet. I’m gonna stop in and check on him.”

Had we been talking, I would have known his dad had gotten out of the rehab facility. “That’s so great! I’m glad he’s home now. Is everything okay with the medical bills?”

He shrugged. “Not really, but we’ll figure out a way to make everything work. There are payment plans and stuff. I won’t let them go under and neither will my sisters.”