Most of her summer shoes were boring neutral colors and she wouldn’t wear something of her sister’s out, not knowing if it might get ruined.

  To a restaurant was one thing, a party at someone’s house was another.

  Hugh had shorts on too, tan ones with a navy T-shirt and sneakers. Running sneakers.

  She’d seen the home gym at his place. The weights and the treadmill. He’d never mentioned working out, but she was positive he did it in the mornings or at night before bed.

  When he couldn’t sleep.

  She wasn’t sure what was going on with him or why or if he was just someone who didn’t need a lot of sleep.

  She figured he’d bring it up when he wanted to. Or if he wanted to.

  There was no use prying, but she wasn’t going to be like his ex and not care either. Or turn a blind eye.

  Something happened in Hugh’s life and he wasn’t cluing her in on it.

  The fact that he asked her to stay the night was a step forward. One that she hadn’t been sure she was ready to take but then told herself that everything was different with him.

  In less than two months, she was pretty sure she was in love with the guy.

  Everything Ivy had been picking on her about was true.

  The air was fresher. The sun was brighter. Her wardrobe was even mirroring that.

  That anticipation of seeing him when they weren’t together and then ending up in bed.

  Or maybe it was just an addiction to how he made her feel. What he brought out in her.

  Things no man had ever been able to do in the bedroom with her.

  “I can’t even give you a heads up on what it’s going to be like today. Grant only asked me yesterday. He said he put the party together last minute and I hadn’t seen him in two days.”

  She knew he was out of the office on Wednesday and Thursday. Though he was working with Grant on cases, he had other cases alone too.

  “It’s fine,” she said. “I’m adaptable. Remember, I was used to going into a lot of businesses and working offsite. You’re the same. I know people think I’m boring and quiet, but I can get along with just about anyone.”

  “I know you can,” he said. “I don’t think you’re boring or dull either. Stop saying that. I think you think it more than other people do.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe you’re right.”

  She’d always hated being put in a slot and yet she was the one that probably did it more than most.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Yep,” she said. She picked up her bag, but he took it out of her hand and carried it. “You’re sure we don’t need to bring anything?”

  “No,” he said. “You don’t. I got some beer. We are good. Grant said he had it covered. He just bought a bunch of salads and was grilling. It’s just an excuse to have a party in good weather. He said he does it every year before the July Fourth holiday.”

  “And you weren’t here last year,” she said.

  “No. It’s the first I’ve gone to something with coworkers.”

  They were walking to his SUV. “Did you only say yes because of me?”

  “Maybe I want to show off my girlfriend that everyone keeps asking about.”

  Dahlia looked over and saw his grin. “I didn’t know anyone knew about me other than your boss.”

  “Word travels,” he said.

  “Yes, it does,” she said. “Does everyone know who I am? My name and how we met?”

  That just occurred to her.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said.

  She’d have to take his word for it.

  It didn’t take long to get to where his coworker lived. It was a small bungalow type of house not that far from downtown New London. Not even far from their office, but nothing was far around here.

  “Can I leave my purse in your car? I don’t need my phone either.”

  “Sure,” he said. “I’ve got my key in my pocket and will lock it.”

  She knew it wasn’t that he didn’t trust his coworkers, but his gun was in there too.

  He got the beer out of the back, her eyes landing on the bulletproof vest with the letters FBI on it and surprisingly it didn’t faze her. He shut the hatch and they walked through the gate and toward the backyard.

  “Hugh actually did make it,” someone shouted. There were a lot of people there. More men than women, but Hugh had said there were a lot of single guys in the office. And it wasn’t just coworkers here.

  “I told you I would be here,” he said. “Grant, this is Dahlia.”

  She shook hands with the younger man and many more people. Even listened to her boyfriend being busted on how he found a hot chick so fast when others were having no luck.

  “We’ve got beer and wine, soda, water. Hugh can get you whatever you want,” Grant said. “Food is on that table for now. Drinks in the fridge on the deck.”

  She looked over to the deck and saw a big fridge under an awning. “You can tell a bachelor lives here.”

  There was a grill, the fridge, deck chairs that didn’t match. Not that everything in her life matched, but most didn’t have a full-sized fridge sitting under a covering on their deck.

  “My place doesn’t look like this,” he said, bumping his shoulder into hers.

  “You haven’t always been a bachelor,” she said.

  It sounded as if his wife had standards, but from what she could see of Hugh’s house, he kept it simple but maintained well.

  Everything was new inside. The furniture, the dishes, the bed. To her, it was like Hugh walked away from the life he had in Phoenix and came here.

  He did say he let his wife have their condo.

  “No,” he said. “I’m getting a beer. Do you want wine?”

  “How about water?” she said.

  Last night when they were out she got a glass of wine and had to all but choke it down. Literally. It didn’t taste right and almost made her ill. She wasn’t sure if it was spoiled or just cheap, but she didn’t want a repeat of it.

  She was standing there when he went to get the drinks.

  “Hi. I’m Stephanie.”

  “Dahlia,” she said. “I’m with Hugh. Or here with Hugh.” She laughed. “That came out wrong.”

  “I’m with Ken,” she said. “Not married. Engaged but been engaged for about three years.”

  “Oh,” she said.

  “Yeah. One of them. Kind of like a semi-commitment.”

  “You have to do what works for you,” she said.

  “It works for him and I love him,” Stephanie said. “Ken is thirty-five. We’ve been in this area for years. Started in New Haven, but I wanted to get closer to the water. I’m a teacher so didn’t have too hard a time finding a job.”

  “I work for Blossoms,” she said. “I’m the Director of Finance.”

  “Oh,” Stephanie said. “First off, that is exciting, but I’d heard that Hugh was showing the guys all these reports he had. That he’d had someone giving him pointers. Ken is a bit nerdy like that and loves talking spreadsheets with people.”

  Dahlia blushed. She hadn’t realized Hugh was bragging about the things she’d been helping him with.

  She found it sweet. Even in a nerdy way.

  “I’m always around,” she said. “Hugh can pass anything off to me.”

  “Here comes Ken now,” Stephanie said. “Don’t get sidetracked with the numbers talk. I want to know about the products at your job and how they are made. If you know that. I teach science at the high school. I think the kids would love to know how something they might use is made.”

  “I can see if that is possible,” she said. “Heather is the one at Blossoms that has a science background. She’d be the best person and would love it.”

  “Thanks so much,” Stephanie said. “You have ten minutes to talk about spreadsheets, Ken. Then no more. No reason to make Dahlia want to run for the hills or even go take a nap. Sorry, I’ll be the one that wants to take the nap, I’m positive.”

  She grinned. Not even five minutes and she already made a friend. Sort of.

  23

  PRIME EXAMPLE

  The next morning, Dahlia rolled over to see the bed empty next to her.

  They’d left the party at nine last night. She was shocked they’d stayed as long as they had, but she was having a great time and it appeared as if Hugh was too.

  It was the first she’d seen him relaxed like that and around other people. Not just coworkers but maybe friends.

  He’d told her that the guys always busted on each other like that. It was a brotherhood type of bond. They had to have each other’s back.

  For someone who was new to the area, he didn’t look it to anyone else on the outside.

  Stephanie had told her that Ken liked Hugh. They were the same age and got along great, but that Hugh had kept more to himself than anyone else.

  Ken was happy Hugh showed up but not as much as Stephanie. She was used to being in the middle of these things.

  Most of the women were younger and Stephanie didn’t have anything in common with them. Or they were older and had kids and wondering why she and Ken weren’t married yet.

  Dahlia had wondered that too but didn’t ask. It wasn’t her concern. She knew a lot of people who didn’t get married. It was just a piece of paper anyway.

  Not to mention, Hugh had said more than once that relationships didn’t last with people in law enforcement. He was a prime example.

  She tried not to think of that and rather thought of the fact they understood each other.

  Just like she’d woken up at midnight and noticed he was awake. He’d said he’d just woken up, but she didn’t believe it. His getting up to go to the bathroom woke her, but she could tell he was tense more than anything.

  She’d never been one to cuddle, but she’d wrapped her arms around him from behind when he got back in bed and he did fall asleep. She could tell by his heavy breathing.

  She’d turned over back on her side after that and was stunned that she’d slept past him.

  She reached for her watch on the stand to see what time it was as it was light in the room but almost immediately felt lightheaded and lay back down.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She turned to see Hugh walking into the room. “What?”

  “You were leaning up and then went back quickly and started to breathe in and out fast.”

  “I just got lightheaded,” she said. “It’s the second time it’s happened.”

  “This morning?” he asked, coming to sit on the bed.

  “No. It happened yesterday morning too and then it passed and I was fine.”

  “Anything else not feel right?” he asked. “Maybe you’ve got a summer cold or something.”

  “I feel fine,” she said. “Other than the bad wine two days ago.”

  He grinned. “I thought it tasted fine,” he said.

  He’d sipped it after she’d made a face for the third time. “I know. That is why I finished it. Could be just not to my liking. It’s not like I drink much so no big deal. What time is it?”

  “Seven,” he said.

  “I don’t sleep this late,” she said, throwing the covers back.

  “Even on a Sunday?” he asked.

  “Look who is talking.”

  “I got up an hour ago,” he said. “I was coming in because I heard you moving. I was going to make breakfast for you.”

  “I thought you didn’t cook.”

  “Breakfast foods are easy. What do you want?”

  “Eggs sound good,” she said. “Toast with it is fine. I’m really hungry too. Not sure why. Normally I don’t eat a big breakfast and there were all sorts of foods there yesterday.”

  “You looked like you were having fun yesterday. I’m glad.”

  “Me too,” she said. “You looked it as well. I heard how you keep to yourself a lot.”

  “I do,” he said. “I’ve always been that way. The new guy here too.”

  “But you’re not the new young guy,” she said. “I could hear it in people’s voices. They look up to you.”

  She wasn’t going to say that she’d heard a few whispers about Hugh when he was in Phoenix and that it was a hard place to be. Or that they weren’t sure how they’d feel if they went through it.

  One person commented that you needed nerves of steel to work in the Special Victims Unit and that shit was always worse than what people actually talked about.

  Most stopped those conversations when they saw her close by.

  She’d smile and nod or move on.

  “I’m just one of the guys,” he said, leaning in to kiss her.

  “I’ll go take a shower if you don’t mind.”

  “Go ahead,” he said.

  She threw the covers back and sat on the side of the bed, didn’t feel lightheaded and got up. She grabbed her clothes and walked into his attached bathroom.

  Dahlia liked his house. Two stories, three good-sized bedrooms and a small one with two full baths on the second floor. The first floor was a big kitchen that didn’t get used much by the man who lived here, a dining room that was empty of a table though he had a smaller one in a breakfast area off to the side. There were two living rooms and an office on the first floor.

  His basement was only partially finished and the part that wasn’t had his workout equipment in it.

  She’d been surprised he’d buy such a big house being single, but he’d said he bought what was available, that he wasn’t being picky.

  She showered fast, washed her hair and noticed the mint soap on the shelf. The cedar one was on his side of the sink and opened. She hid her smile when she saw that. Just like the mint one was wet as if he’d used it this morning.

  There was no blow dryer and she hadn’t thought to pack one. She towel-dried her hair as best as she could, combed it and put it behind her ears. At least it wasn’t dripping water down her back, but it’d leave a mark on her shirt she was sure.

  “That smells good,” she said.

  He handed her a coffee and before she could bring it to her lips, she put it on the counter, gripped the edge and then everything went black.

  “Dahlia, open your eyes. Come on, open them.”

  “Huh?” she asked, blinking her eyes. “Why am I on the floor?”

  One second she was going to take a sip of the coffee Hugh had made and handed her and the next everything went black.

  “You passed out.”

  “What?” she screeched. “I’ve never passed out before.”

  “You just did now,” he said. “Scared the shit out of me. I barely had time to catch you.”

  “You caught me?” she asked. She tried to sit up.

  “Easy now. Do you feel okay?”

  “Just mortified,” she said. “I can’t even claim it was a hangover. I didn’t drink anything. Maybe I’m dehydrated?”

  “Could be,” he said. He helped her to a sitting position. “You did drink a lot of water yesterday, but it was pretty hot out.”

  “I’ve been in much worse heat and never had a problem. Remember some of the places I’ve lived.”

  “True,” he said. She stood up and he walked her to the couch to sit down. “But you’re not a kid anymore. Let me get you some water.”

  “You’re awfully calm,” she said.

  “I’ve seen worse,” he said drily.

  “I’m sure. Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. You said you were lightheaded. Did you feel that before you passed out? Do you remember anything?”

  “Nothing more than going to take a sip of coffee, then putting it down and everything went black. I did feel a little nauseous in bed, but that comes with lightheadedness. Remember, I told you I have a weak stomach.”

  “With motion. You were lying in bed.”

  “I don’t know what it is,” she said. “I feel fine, but man, I’m starving.”

  She stood up and he was hovering over her. “Sure you’re okay?”

  “Positive.”

  “Go sit at the table and I’ll bring your breakfast over.”

  “We can sit at the island,” she said.

  “Those chairs are higher in case you fall off and I can’t catch you.”

  “Not funny,” she said.

  She walked to the table though and took a seat. He brought her the coffee cup she’d set down and then a plate of food with a fork.

  She started to eat, him doing the same. “When was your last period?”

  She looked up sharply. “What?”

  “Could you be pregnant?”

  She started to laugh. “You’ve been wearing a condom,” she said.

  “Yeah. But you know, I hadn’t worn one in years. I remember the first time we had sex I thought it was a good thing I remembered how to put one on fast.”

  She wanted to laugh again, but too many things were going through her mind.

  Like the fact she didn’t remember the last time she had her period.

  She jumped up fast and ran to his room.

  He was quick on her heels. “What’s wrong?”

  “My purse. I need my phone.”

  She found her purse on the chair by her bag, fished out her phone and pulled up the calendar. She always put a little red star on the day she got her last period.

  She didn’t see it in the month of June. She went back to May and realized that she should have gotten it almost two weeks ago.

  How the hell could she have not realized that?!

  “How late are you?”

  “Almost two weeks. Oh my God. It can’t be.”

  “It could be, right?”

  “Hugh, we’ve been together barely a month and a half. By my math this could have happened the first or second time we had sex.”

  “Does it matter when it happened?”

  “If it did,” she said. “I could just be late. It’s happened before.”

  “When you’ve been having regular sex with someone though?”

  “No,” she said quietly. She walked over to sit on his bed. “This can’t be happening. I’m the responsible stable one of the family.”

  “We won’t know anything until you take a test. I’ll go get one if you want.”