Foundation for Three
he healed. Hopefully, he didn’t think she was asking him out on another date.
    He cleared his throat. “Kind of pathetic to go by myself, don’t you think?”
    Not really. “I guess so.” She went by herself quite often. Was he hinting that he wanted to go with her? If he was, then he needed to just say so. Courtney’s comment about her asking out a man rang in her head. Zoey might consider that option, but only after she knew for sure he’d say yes. A thank you date didn’t count in her opinion.
    Zoey pulled into the lot behind the building then undid her seatbelt. As she reached behind her seat to get her purse, her door opened, startling her a little.
    “You need help?” Thad asked.
    “Just getting my purse.” She twisted around and nabbed the handle. “Got it!”
    As she sat back up, she had to think long and hard about the last time someone had opened her car door for her. Maybe it was when Cade, Stone, and Amber had walked her to her vehicle a few weeks ago. Sad . Zoey had been alone too long.
    The sun had disappeared behind a random cloud so she buttoned up her jacket and eased out of the car. “Thank you.”
    “Gotta feel useful.”
    That seemed to be Thad’s core personality—being needed.
    Inside, the place was quite crowded, mostly with uniformed cops. As soon as they’d been seated at the cozy table, two men came over.
    “Ma’am.” The man who spoke was the taller of the two. “Sorry to barge in, but it’s good to see Thad up and about.”
    Thad’s neck flushed a dull red, but since he hadn’t shaved in a few days, it was difficult to be sure.
    He faced her. “This rude guy is my partner, Jeremy Warner, and the other ugly dude is Nick Rodgers.”
    Both were good-looking men. “Nice to meet you.”
    “When are you coming back, Thad?” Jeremy asked.
    Thad glanced at her, smiled, and then returned his attention to his partner. “You appreciating me now that you have to hang out with Nick?”
    Jeremy shook his head. “Guy doesn’t drink coffee. What kind of cop is that?”
    Nick chuckled. “Let’s leave him to his lunch. Seems to me, he got the good end of the deal. I’m stuck with you, knucklehead.” Nick nodded at her, and then led Jeremy away.
    Zoey liked how the men seemed so comfortable around each other. “You appear to have a good relationship with your coworkers.”
    “Better have when my life is in their hands.”
    She hadn’t thought of it that way. “Do you swap partners often?” She had no idea how the RHPD worked, other than what little information Amber had provided her.
    He seemed to work to keep from grinning. Only then did she realize her slip.
    “No. Nick’s regular partner’s father passed away, so he asked if Jeremy could ride with him until Dale returns.”
    “You don’t mind?”
    He shrugged. “Different experiences are what keeps a cop sharp. Each detective has his own way of handling danger. Nick will be good for Jeremy.”
    She liked that Thad was looking out for others. The waitress came by, and they both ordered coffee and a burger. Zoey only wanted hers with lettuce and tomato, but Thad had the works, including fries.
    “How do you stay so fit when you eat like that?” she asked.
    “You think I eat like this all the time? Hell, no. I’m lucky to slam down a few eggs in the morning, and maybe grab a chicken sandwich at lunch. If I’m home for dinner, I’ll cook some fish. When I’m on patrol, I try to eat salads, though I’m not sure with the dressing if that’s much better than a juicy burger.”
    “That must be tough. I love to cook and I, too, try to use only healthy ingredients when I can get them.” She’d been about to say she’d cook him a meal, but she refrained.
    “That’s why I run and work out.”
    “I bet you’ll be able to run in a few days.”
    “I’m hoping.”
    The waitress brought their drinks. Zoey dumped in a packet of sugar and some cream, instantly feeling guilty. He really did drink his black. Starting

Similar Books

The Narrow Door

Paul Lisicky

Tainted Blood

Martin Sharlow

What Changes Everything

Masha Hamilton

Turn Me On

Faye Avalon

Planet Willie

Josh Shoemake

Winged Warfare

William Avery Bishop

Scrappily Ever After

Mollie Cox Bryan