While I Was Away(77)

Zoey had trained herself very well to hide her emotions, so she was proud when she managed to keep her face completely composed. She hoped, however, that he didn't notice how her body completely froze up at his words.

“Alright,” she responded.

“I mean, we all got together the other night and said our goodbyes. We've already done the goodbyes with my parents, they'll be flying out in a couple weeks. Adele is fine, she's off in la-la-land with that nurse guy, she doesn't need me anymore. Just makes sense,” he added, and she managed a nod.

“Totally does.”

Well, shit. This is what I get for playing it too cool. I can't believe he's leaving. After the kind of sex we had, and he doesn't even want seconds? Wait, is that what tonight is about? Fuck that, he can't tell me he's leaving me forever and then expect a booty call.

“We're gonna be really busy tomorrow, so I figured I wouldn't get to see you before I left, and I wanted to make sure I said goodbye,” he explained all the phone calls.

“That's very sweet of you, Detective Reins.”

No it's not. You're a jerk and I'm an idiot and I like you, please don't go, why can't I just say those words to him? Just say those words, Blanke, and you know he won't go.

“Who knew I had it in me,” he chuckled.

“Certainly not me,” she teased.

I take it back, he can make that booty call, and I will answer, because it really was too good to pass up again, and he's so good looking and he is actually sweet and I'm the jerk and the idiot and what is wrong with me!?

“So,” she finally said after an awkward pause. “You're all set to leave in a few days?”

“Yeah, I was,” he nodded. “But then I ran into this problem.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of problem?”

“It's a real bitch,” he sighed. “It's about five foot, maybe five-one, and it never shuts up, and it's ten fucking years younger than me, can you believe it? Just fucking awful. And I'm supposed to leave, but I don't think I can until I've dealt with it.”

Zoey smiled. A genuine, real smile; she didn't show them often. She blinked her eyes a couple times, trying to clear some dust out of them – yeah, sure, some dust, that's all it was – then she stood away from the windowsill.

“That's very admirable, Ocean,” she sighed, moving to sit across the table from him. “I like a man who deals with his problems head on.”

He smiled back at her. A genuine, real smile; she was pretty sure he didn't show his often, either.

“I figured you did.”

“And just so you know, I'm five-foot-one and a half,” she corrected him. He rolled his eyes.

“This would be the 'never shuts up' part I mentioned.”

She threw her pack of cigarettes at him.

“You're just too quiet because you're old and grumpy.”

“Goddamn right I am,” he laughed, then he held up her pack and wiggled it back and forth. “And these have gotta go. They'll kill you.”

“Already turning into a tyrant, I see.”

“Turning? Baby, I was always a tyrant.”

“You're lucky you're sexy, or I'd really not like you.”

“And good in bed,” he reminded her. “Don't forget that part.”

“And okay in bed.”

“Your apartment is way too small,” he said, glancing around them. “I need my space.”

“Lovely for you – good thing you won't be living here.”

“I know, right? I'm looking at a two bedroom tomorrow, so when you inevitably move all your bullshit in with me, you'll have your own room to turn into a walk-in closet or whatever.”

“Very magnanimous of you, Det. Reins!” she feigned awe.

“It is, isn't it?”

Zoey abruptly stood up and laid across the table. She propped her elbows on the edge directly in front of Ocean and rested her chin in her hands.

“Can we stop being cute now?” she asked.

“God, please,” he groaned, reaching out to tuck some hair behind her ear.

“You're staying in L.A.,” she clarified, and he nodded. “Like moving all your belongings here, getting a job here?”

“Have an interview next week,” he informed her, and for the first time in a very long time, she felt herself blush.

“And you're doing all of this because you want to be close to your sister and brother?” she guessed, and almost cursed when her voice betrayed how nervous she really felt.

“They're definitely a bonus.”

“But they're not the main reason,” she said slowly, and he nodded again. “I'm the main reason.” Another nod. “You're moving permanently to Los Angeles and we're going to start seeing each other.”

“That was the general plan,” he said. “But then you didn't answer your phone and I thought I'd made a huge mistake. I almost canceled the packing company I'd hired in Philly.”

“Oh? Why didn't you?”

“Because I like you, Zoey,” he sighed. “Against my will and my better judgement, I really fucking like you. And I think you like me, too. And I'm not a pussy, so before I ran home with my tail between my legs, I was going to make you say you didn't care about me to my face.”