Colton 911: Deadly Texas Reunion

“Do you want me helping you with this case or don’t you?”

“I do,” she said with confidence, adding, “but only if you remember my terms. This is my case. Don’t try to commandeer it from me.”

His eyes clung to hers, but he said nothing for several uncomfortable seconds. Finally, his gaze softened, and he said, “Your case. I get that. Why is that such a sticking point for you? You seem hypersensitive about it. What’s going on? The Summer I used to know wasn’t this uptight.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and tried not to let memories of rampant sexism from her past elevate her blood pressure. Nolan had asked a fair question, and he deserved the truth. “The Summer you knew was included as an equal in all the stuff you guys used to do. You didn’t defer to me or cut me out of anything muddy or rough-and-tumble because I was a girl. But this Summer—” she pointed to herself “—never got the lead on cases at her last investigative agency, despite the fact I had every bit as much or more training than the men in the agency. This Summer—” she tapped her chest “—was treated like a glorified errand girl, who always got sent for coffee or asked to do the copying and collating and transcribing notes for the men. I got leering looks at my chest and pedantic speeches and mansplaining out the wazoo.”

His expression darkened at the mention of being sexually objectified by her colleagues.

“I finally had enough and quit.”

“Good,” he said, nodding his head in approval.

“I came here to start my own business and be the boss. But even here I get funny looks when I tell people I’m the owner of Davies Investigations LLC. I’ve lost business when people change their mind about hiring me when they learn a woman would be handling their case.” She huffed angrily. “So, yeah, I’m a little sensitive to being pushed aside and treated with sexism, because it has been happening for years. And it drives me nuts!” Summer raised her hands, her fingers curled like claws as she growled her frustration.

Nolan again sat quietly, his gaze on her, steady and a bit unnerving with its penetrating power. Something deep in her core stirred in response to his hazel stare.

Finally he spoke, his voice calm and deep and lulling. “First of all, this Nolan—” he flattened a hand against his chest “—is the same Nolan you knew. I didn’t discriminate against you when we were kids, and I will not now. I see ability and character in you. Not man versus woman.”

Reluctantly, she said, “Okay.”

His reply should have made her feel better, but the marrow-deep awareness he awoke in her deflated instead, leaving a hollow ache. She wanted to be treated as an equal, but would it be so terrible if he saw her as a woman? Did she really want to be just his pal? The feminine side of her said no, while a more practical part of her brain reminded her of his platonic-only rule.

“Second, I hate that you were subjected to that kind of discrimination and objectification. I’d love to set those men straight on a thing or two.” His hand flexed as he scowled, leaving no secret how he’d set her sexist colleagues straight.

“And finally, the questions about Patrice’s family were valid and necessary. I wasn’t trying to take over. I was asking important questions, if only to legitimately eliminate them as suspects. It’s not impossible that they hired you to throw the investigation off their tracks.” He angled his head and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “I think if you’ll look past your sense of being overshadowed, you’ll know I’m right.”

The tingles were back. In spades. Her attention zeroed in on his warm hand, the sensation rushing through her blood, the hint of dizziness that swamped her.

“Summer?”

She jerked her gaze back to him, mentally replaying his last words. “Yeah. You’re right. I’m sorry I overreacted.” She exhaled a cleansing breath. “I’ll try not to be so testy from here on out.”

He lifted the corner of his mouth and gave her a wink. Before he withdrew his hand, he gave her shoulder a quick squeeze.

When she turned the key again to restart the engine, her hand was trembling. With a tight grip on the steering wheel to hide the tremors, she backed from the parking spot and headed out to the side street, praying Nolan hadn’t noticed her show of nerves. Her crazy attraction to Nolan was her issue to manage. He’d been clear that he wanted their friendship to continue on the same course it had begun. Strictly buddies. Asexual pals.

And because she valued his friendship, his insights and his expertise on this case, she would find a way to rein in this new fascination with his GQ physique, thrilling touch and drool-worthy mug.

As she drove, Nolan opened her notebook and read over her notes. “I suggest we follow up with Patrice’s dad on the job interviews and find these guys from her vocational classes.”

Summer nodded. “I agree. I also want to look up her social media profiles and see if anything stands out.”

He flipped the notebook closed and angled his body toward her. “Speaking of social media, tell me more about the troublesome ex you were trying to avoid when you made your profiles so hard to find. Robby?”

She cut a surprised glance to him. “Yes, Robby. Did I tell you that?”

“At lunch, yes. And I’m good with names. Comes in handy during investigations.”