Damage: The Men of Law (The Men of Law Series Book 2) by Casey Clipper

Author:Casey Clipper [Clipper, Casey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NTJ Publishing
Published: 2016-11-11T22:00:00+00:00

19

Dean glanced at his watch and yawned, shrugged out of his black pullover fleece and stretched his arms over the back of the sofa. Eleven at night. Nick had stuck around, observing the family dynamic, leaving after eight when Dean remained. Josie’s family had hesitantly left around nine, insisting she call them if she needed anything. She remained wide-eyed, nervously walking around her house, lightly touching objects that clearly registered with her. Like the wall where she said she’d been pinned against, or straightening pictures that the CSI unit disturbed, and wiping black powder remnants that the cleaning service missed. She’d emptied the refrigerator, dusted the furniture, and completely avoided the second floor.

Dean had watched her the entire time. He could tell she was starting to get sore and tired, but fought the sensations tooth and nail.

“Josie,” he waved to the sofa. “Sit. Relax. I’ll stay the night so you can sleep.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.” She stopped in the center of the living room, a rag in hand.

“You didn’t. I offered.” He patted the couch. “Sit.”

“Would you like a drink?” she asked a bit too politely, as if forcing the words out. “There’s wine in the fridge.”

He could use a glass to help him wind down. He didn’t know how well he’d sleep on the sofa. The cushions were lumpy. “I’ll take a glass.”

A few minutes later, she returned with two glasses in hand.

“Can you have wine with your pain medication?” He’d snatch that alcoholic drink right out of her hand.

“I haven’t been taking the pain meds if I don’t have to. Ibuprofen works better.” She handed him a glass. “All the pain medication does is put me to sleep.”

She sat next to him, taking a sip of her red wine. He took a long swallow of the Pinot Noir.

Josie tucked her legs under her, her cute toes sticking out from the bottom of her black yoga pants. She noticed him staring.

“I need a pedicure.” She wiggled her toes. “I never go this long without having my toes done. It’s kind of convenient, owning a salon.”

He chuckled. “I would have no idea.”

She grinned, her features relaxing, lightening. “I guess not. But take my word for it, they need painting.”

“I will absolutely take your word for it.” He took another drink. “What’s it like owning a successful business? Why did you decide a salon?”

She sighed, a pleasant sound, as if the topic was one she was willing to venture to. “It’s a really long story. But it started in high school. I was a cheerleader and appearance was important. My hair was perfect, makeup flawless, nails manicured. I loved it. I went against the grain and decided to go to VoTech in high school for cosmetology.”

“Why was that against the grain?”

“Because all my friends were in college prep curriculum courses.”

“I see,” he said. He could envision her perfectly in technical school, preparing for a life of providing beauty services to women and men.

“Anyway, once I graduated, I enrolled in a beauty academy.

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