Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [204]
“We did. It was more practical for both of us to live there until things were settled. Neither one of us is hardly ever there.”
“Shoot! For a minute there I thought maybe the two of you were thinking about giving it another shot.” He looked hopeful. She knew Delaney was a firm believer in marriage. Despite admiring his partner’s finesse at dating, Delaney seemed to love being married.
“I don’t think reconciliation is possible.”
“You sure?”
“What would you do if Karen made you choose between her and being in the FBI?”
He shook his head, and before he answered she was sorry she’d asked. He pulled his chair closer and his face got serious. “Part of the reason I became an instructor was because I know Karen gets nervous about me being in the middle of hostage negotiations. That last one in Philly, she had to watch most of it on TV. Some sacrifices are worth making.”
She didn’t want to have this conversation. Discussing her failed marriage accomplished nothing these days except to remind her of the hollowness in her gut.
“So I’m the bad guy because I’m not willing to sacrifice my career to make my husband feel better?” The anger in her voice surprised her. “I would never ask Greg to stop being a lawyer.”
“Relax, Maggie. You’re not the bad guy.” Delaney remained calm and sympathetic. “There’s a big difference between asking and expecting. Karen would never have asked. I made the decision. Besides, Greg’s got some major screws loose if he would let you get away, period.”
Her eyes met his, and he smiled, then quickly looked back around to see that Turner was still with his new friends. Though Delaney, Turner and Maggie spent hours together, week after week, there were usually no emotional revelations or personal discussions.
“Do you miss it?”
He glanced back at her and laughed. “What’s to miss? Standing in freezing-cold or stinking-hot weather for hours, trying to talk some asshole out of blowing away innocent people?” He rested his elbows on the table and scratched his jaw, his eyes serious again. “Yeah, I do miss it. But I get called in on a case every now and then.”
“What can I get you two?” a waitress asked as she squeezed between two diners to get to their table.
Immediately, Maggie felt a wave of relief, welcoming the interruption. She saw Delaney’s face relax, too.
“Just Diet Coke for me.” He smiled up at the pretty redhead.
Maggie was impressed with his unconscious flirting. Had it simply become a habit from hanging around Turner so long?
“Scotch, neat,” she said when the waitress looked her way.
“Oh, and that guy over at the end of the bar—” Delaney pointed “—it doesn’t look like it now, but he will eventually be joining us. Is your grill still on?”
The waitress checked her watch. A small beauty mark above her upper lip twitched as she scrunched her eyes to make out the time. In the dim light, Maggie could see the lines of exhaustion in the woman’s attractive face.
“They’re supposed to close down at midnight.” She kept her voice friendly though Maggie could tell it was an effort. “There are still a few minutes if I get it in now.” Her offer was genuine. “Any idea what he wants?”
“A burger and fries,” Delaney said without hesitation.
“Medium rare,” Maggie added.
“With pickles and onion.”
“And a bottle of A.1 sauce, if you have it.”
“Oh, and cheddar cheese on the burger, too.”
The waitress smiled at them. Maggie glanced at Delaney, and they burst out laughing.
“God, I wonder if Turner realizes how predictable he is?” Maggie said while wondering if there was anyone who paid as much attention to her habits and quirks.
“It sounds like the three of you are very good friends.” The waitress had relaxed, looking a little less fatigued. “I don’t suppose you know what he’ll be drinking?”
“Do you have Boulevard Wheat?” Delaney asked.
“Of course. Actually, it’s a Kansas City brew.”
“Okay. Well, that’s what he’ll want.”
“I’ll get his order in and bring back your drinks. Sure I can’t get either of you something to eat?