Fast Track by Julie Garwood

said. “And I already took care of the bill, including gratuity.”
    “Are you sure it was your turn?” Cordie asked. “I seem to remember—”
    “I don’t want you to find your mother,” Sophie blurted.
    “You wanted me to before you read the letter, and don’t call her my mother. She left when I was a baby. She doesn’t deserve to be called that.”
    “I worry you’ll get hurt, Cordie. You just lost your father. You don’t need any more pain.”
    “I have to do this, Sophie.”
    Regan could detect an argument brewing and decided to deflect her friends’ attention. “Is that a new blouse, Cordie?”
    “No, I just haven’t worn it in a while.”
    “Oh, I forgot to ask, how did your meeting with Sister Delores go?”
    “Not well at all. She likes to have her way.”
    “That’s why she’s the principal,” Regan said. “She has to be tough.”
    “I told her a long while ago that I wouldn’t be signing a new contract, but she’s determined to get me to change my mind. I’m not going to, though. I want to take some time off from teaching.”
    “But you’re a wonderful teacher. The boys love you,” Regan protested.
    “I’m determined to make some changes in my life,” Cordie explained.
    “What kind of changes?” Sophie asked, frowning.
    “I don’t know yet . . . just something . . . different.”
    “Come on,” Sophie said. “We all ate healthy dinners, so let’s go in the bar, order cold beer and potato chips, and Regan and I will help you figure out what you want to change.”
    Cordie followed Sophie out the door. “Since when do you drink beer?”
    “Since I married Jack. I’m taking on all his bad habits.”
    Cordie laughed. “Beer and chips. Best dessert ever.”
    “Are you sure you want to go to the bar?” Regan asked. “If the guys from Vice are in there, they won’t leave Cordie alone. Both Woods and Zahner are smitten. Alec told me they think she looks like a sexy movie star.”
    The hotel bar was filled with businessmen. There wasn’t a single woman in sight. Every eye was on the three of them as they made their way around the tables to get to the far side of the long mahogany bar. It was like walking a gauntlet of admiring stares, Cordie thought, but she didn’t mind. By the time she got to the end of the bar, her self-esteem had gotten quite a boost.
    She could hear laughter coming from the poker room next to them. The door opened and Detective Zahner walked out carrying an empty bowl. To say he was scary looking was an understatement. He was the kind of man who made most intelligent people nervous and ready to bolt. He was big and muscular like a professional wrestler, and both his arms and neck were covered in faded tattoos. His hair was long and in desperate need of a comb, but it was the look in his eyes when he was angry that scared the bejesus out of his targets. The only man who rivaled Zahner in terror tactics was Regan’s husband, Alec, when he worked undercover. To Cordie, however, Zahner was a big teddy bear. He spotted her leaning against the bar and headed toward her, his wide grin making him appear a bit maniacal.
    After kissing Sophie and Regan on the cheek, he turned his full attention to Cordie. He kissed her on her cheek before wrapping her in a bear hug.
    “When are you going to realize how good we’d be together?” he asked, his voice crooning like a seventies blues singer’s.
    “I don’t want to ruin what we have,” she told him, smiling. “You’re a tease, Zahner.”
    He pressed in on her, leaned down, and whispered, “Let me take you home and show you—”
    “What the hell? Get off her, Zahner.” Aiden gave the order from the doorway. He strode over, fully intending to pull Zahner away from Cordelia, but the detective was in the mood to cooperate. He stepped back, winked at her, then frowned at Aiden.
    Aiden wasn’t through acting possessive. “Cordelia, don’t encourage him,” he snapped.
    Regan and Sophie were looking at