Beth Cornelison – Colton 911: Deadly Texas Reunion (страница 11)
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
“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
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.”
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