�Hi,� Nickolas said.
�Hi,� Jenai said in return.
�Detective Nick Carter.� He extended his hand.
�A cop; just my luck.� She sighed. �I already talked to a few detectives already. I told them all I know.�
�I don�t want to ask any questions.�
�Oh�sorry.� He grinned. �JJ Richardson.� They shook hands.
�You work here, right?�
�Yeah.�
�I thought you looked familiar.�
�So do you.�
�Shouldn�t you be at home?�
�I�m waiting for a friend who happens to be late; as always.� She sighed again. �You work with Sergeant Richardson?�
�Partners.�
�Poor you.�
�He�s a good guy.�
�Yeah, but tends to be controlling and bossy.�
�Aren�t all sergeants?�
�I guess so, but not like Kevin.�
�He ain�t that bad.� She looked at him.
�If you say so.� She looked at the entrance.
�Your friend here?�
�Not yet.� She sighed. �He�ll be here though, because he never lets me down.� Nickolas looked at her. �Are you seeing anyone?�
�Not at the moment.�
�Neither am I.� She smiled and got a napkin. �Got a pen?�
�Yeah.� He took a pen from his pocket and handed it to her.
�Thanks.� He just smiled, as she wrote on the napkin and someone joined them. Jenai and Nickolas looked. �Hey, Jakie.� They hugged.
�I am so glad you�re alright,� Jakob said.
�Same here,� Jenai said.
�Carter,� Jakob said.
�Underwood,� Nickolas said.
�You guys know each other?� Jenai asked writing on the napkin
�We work in the same office,� Nickolas replied.
�Oh, I see,� Jenai said.
�Are you all right, Jenai,� Jakob asked.
�I�m fine,� Jenai replied. �Just a little shocked, but I can deal with it.�
�Are ya sure?�
�Yes.� He just looked at her. �You can be just like Kevin at times.�
�Sorry.�
�Just get me out of here.� She handed the pen and napkin to Nickolas. �Nice meeting you, Nick.�
�Like wise,� Nickolas said.
�Maybe I�ll see ya around.�
�Maybe.� Jenai grinned and she and Jakob walked away.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Nick seems like a nice guy,� Jenai said, as she sat with Jakob at his studio apartment.
�He�s alright,� Jakob said handing her a glass.
�Is he seriously single?� She smiled, as he looked at her. �Just curious, because that�s what he said.� Jakob nodded.
�I thought you didn�t like getting involved with anyone in the police work, because of Kevin?�
�Who said I wanted to get involved? I was just asking.� She grinned. �What does it matter anyway? I keep getting involved with you.�
�That�s different.�
�How come I never saw Detective Carter before?�
�He�s a rookie.�
�And he got the opportunity to get partnered with Kev, huh?�
�Yeah.�
�Poor guy. Maybe I should tell him he�s in for a lifetime experience.� Jakob shook his head. �What?�
�Why are you so hard on Kevin? His family was so nice enough to give ya a home after you were dumped on their doorstep. You should be grateful.�
�I am and Kev knows I love him.�
�Amazingly.� She hit him. �I�m kidding.�
�I might believe ya.�
�Shut up.� They laughed then watched a few music videos on MTV in silence.
Jakob looked at Jenai and asked. �So how are you holding up?� She looked at him. �After what happened tonight?� She shrugged.
�How do you want me to feel? It�s not the first dead body I saw and with my luck it won�t be the last. When Brianna died I promised myself I wouldn�t get emotionally involved over the next body I saw; and I haven�t�except for tonight. I ain�t going to do it again. When you�re emotional like that you�re vulnerable and you can�t let yourself be like that when something bad happens; you�re an easy target.�
�Yes you are.�
�I did learn something from you and my brother.�
�That�s good.� She nodded.
�I don�t want to talk about tonight.�
�We don�t have to, but you�ll feel better.�
�That�s why I got Dr. Wallace.� She smiled. �Leigh�s the best.� He shook his head. �So tell me about Nick.�
�He�s a guy.�
�Duh, but what kind of guy?�
�Why do ya want to know? It�s not like you�re interested.� She grinned. �Are you?�
�Uh�no�I mean he�s cute and all, but he�s a cop. He�s in the police business and it wouldn�t work. I promised myself I wouldn�t get involved with those types, cause I don�t want to spend my days worrying.�
�It�s understandable, because Janie feels the same.�
�Is that why ya ain�t together?�
�More or less.�
�She�ll be back, because she loves you and you love her.�
�Yeah.�
�You don�t sound so sure about it.�
�I just don�t want to jinx it.�
�I see.�
�Don�t you have your own love life to worry about?� He chuckled.
�You�re a jerk.�
�I�m just messin�.�
�Yeah, whatever.�
�You can spend the night if ya want. I can sleep on the couch.�
�It�s alright, because I�m going to go.� She put her glass down and got up. �Thanks�for everything.�
�It�s my duty.� She sighed and walked to the door. �JJ, wait.� She stopped from opening the door and Jakob walked over to her. �Stay the night.� He took her one hand.
�I can�t.�
�Why not?�
�You know why. I stay we�ll end up sleeping together.� He just looked at her. �It always happens and I can�t have that.� She went to go out the door and Jakob stopped her. �Jakob, please.� He kissed her and pushed the door shut, as she kissed him in return. He picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
CHAPTER 4
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