He was trying to do the right thing. How was not sleeping with her the wrong decision?
She walked him down the driveway. “I’m in court all morning, so if you text me about getting together—to work—and I don’t respond, it’s because—”
“You’re in court.”
“Right. Goodnight, Mr. Truman.”
Ah, hell, we’re back to that. “Detective Easton.”
On a huff, she retreated into her garage. Once the garage door closed, he drove away. He had no idea how he was going to keep his hands off her. One thing was for certain. He wasnothaving sex with her.
8
The Event
As Emerson entered the posh DC hotel, her phone rang. “Hey, Mom.”
Most times, when her mom called, her dad was by her side, the call on speaker.
“Hi, honey,” said Tia Easton. “Dad and I wanted to let you know we’re thinking of you tonight.”
“Chin up,” added Rick Easton.
“Thanks,” Emerson said. “How are you guys doing?”
“We decided to spend the evening watching videos of when you and Doug were kids,” said her mom.
Emerson’s heart broke for her parents, but she pasted on a smile. “That sounds fun. I would much rather be spending my evening with you than going to this event.”
“You’re an Easton,” said her dad. “Grit’ll get you through it.”
“We know the truth about Doug,” added her mom.
“Yeah, we do.” Emerson’s phone buzzed with an incoming text.
“Are you in your dress uniform or an actual dress?” asked her mom.
Emerson took a selfie and texted it to her parents. “An actual dress, like a girl.” She smiled. Her mom loved when she wore civilian clothes, but her dad was proud when she donned her uniform.
“You look beautiful,” said her dad.
She’d worn a black halter dress that hugged her curves. The front landed above her knees, but the back of the dress trailed to the floor.
“Did Danielle do your hair?” asked her mom.
“Yeah, she’s so good at updos. The best I could’ve done is a ponytail.”
“Is she with you?” asked her mom.
“No, she couldn’t make it,” Emerson replied.
“You can call us after,” said her dad.
“You know me,” Emerson replied. “I’ll just file the evening under bullshit and move on.”
“Are you coming by this weekend?” asked her mom.
“Of course.”