“No ring, no mention of a girlfriend. Are you in a relationship, detective?”
I stare at her, trying to keep up with the quick change in direction. Personal relationships would be something else, along with Scrabble, that I am a complete failure at. Still, it’s interesting to me that Jane is curious, and that alonekeeps me feeling happiness that has zero to do with the game at hand. Or is she just trying to distract me?
“You’re not helping me go any faster.” I stare at my tiles like a word will pop out of sheer will.
A laugh bubbles out of her. “I’m not trying to distract you. I’m genuinely curious. I am a journalist, after all.”
I chuckle. “My last girlfriend was in high school. We dated for three years, but when we graduated, her dreams took her abroad for some mission work, and that’s where she found her soulmate.”
“And nobody since then?” she asks as I think through a list of excuses for my bachelor state.
“No,” I reply with a head shake. “First, the academy. Then, my mom was sick for a few years, and I cared for her.” Jane’s face fills with sympathy. “I would go on a date from time to time, but they were with all the wrong people. It’s hard just going out and hoping you’ll mesh well with this stranger. So, I put dating on the back burner and focused on my career. Maybe I’ll find Mrs. Right at some point.”
“Yeah, I get that,” she says as if deeply considering my words.
“So, Ms. Journalist. Has your romantic life been more interesting than mine?”
Her eyes widen slightly before she breaks eye contact with me. I turn around to see what has captured her attention.
“Looks like it’s finally easing up a little,” Jane says, her voice softer, more contemplative.
I nod as I stand and walk to the windows. I turn to see a sweet smile on her face as she stands there next to me.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She stares out the window, taking in the winter scene outside.
“Yes, it is.”
There is something peaceful about it—the way the snow silences everything, making the world feel more intimate. It’s just me and Jane for a moment. Somehow, it feels exactly right to me in a way I can’t put into words.
“Even though this wasn’t the weekend I had planned, I’m actually pretty okay with the twist of circumstances.”
“Me, too,” she says, turning her gaze to me.
There is an abrupt thud behind us as we pivot in unison. Angus is staring at us as he stands on the coffee table.
“Angus! No!” I shout. I dash toward him, trying to grab the board, but I’m too late.
In one swift, ungraceful motion, his paw hits the edge of the Scrabble board, sending tiles flying into the air. The game is over—literally and figuratively. Letters scatter across the floor in a chaotic mess. He looks up with guilton his sweet face as I gaze at the pile of tiles and the board now on the floor.
Jane bursts out laughing. “Oh my, Angus, you are a little menace!”
I stare at the destroyed board, half in disbelief, half in relief. “Well, I guess that means I don’t have to finish losing.”
“Consider yourself saved by the dog.” She wipes tears of laughter from her eyes. “That’s one way to end a game.”
I lean down to ruffle Angus’s fur. “Thanks, buddy. I owe you one.”
Jane shakes her head, still smiling as she starts gathering up the tiles. “You’re lucky you’ve got him. Otherwise, I’d have beaten you so badly you’d never want to play Scrabble again.”
“Trust me,” I say, grinning as I bend to pick up the board, “I wasn’t planning on losing that bad, but still, my ego is grateful to my buddy for having my back.”
She looks up at me, still laughing, her eyes soft.
“Your ego? You could barely form a six-letter word.”
“I was just warming up,” I retort, attempting to defend my shattering pride.
“Uh huh, I think you owe Angus an extra treat tonight,” she says with that smirk of hers, the one that’s become familiar in the short time I’ve known her. It’s like shealready knows every button to push to keep me on edge. And the strangest part is that I kind of like it.
