Dead Weight by Lori Avocato

up on my elbows. “I made sure no one saw me. I know my business. That is, how to do my business. So why did you sneak up on me like that anyway?”
    He merely looked at me.
    My heart did a little flutter, which medically could cause an arrhythmia, but a Jagger-induced arrhythmia was not life threatening.
    Only life altering.
    â€œI told you why I was here. What the hell were you doing outside anyway?”
    Oh, crap. I couldn’t let him know I was spying on him.
    â€œI needed fresh air. That room can be claustrophobic.”
    Jagger’s eyebrow rose. “You wouldn’t have been following me, would you?”
    Before I could answer, he leaned near, “Damn it, Sherlock. I told you there is murder involved here. Can’t you ever listen to me?”
    â€œSomeone would think you’re worried about—” Did I say that out loud? Yikes. “I mean—”
    For several seconds, yet what seemed like hours, Jagger looked down at me. Me resting on my elbows (I hated when Jagger was higher than me. Gave him way too much authority over me), him kneeling next to me (that left breast thing still going on), and then he leaned closer.
    I felt his breath on my cheek.
    Good Lord.
    â€œI do worry. Damn it all. I do worry.”
    I do worry. I do worry? I do worry!
    Did he really say that?
    But before my mind could comprehend or think anymore jumbled thoughts … I felt it again.
    The tiny rush of air. The warm … feeling on my … oh my …
    Jagger’s lips on mine.
    And this time, gulp, it wasn’t for CPR.
    Maybe I had died … cause this sure as heck felt like Heaven …
    When his lips touched mine, I pulled back instantly. Instantly because I was reminded of yesterday.
    Yesterday, miles away—another world it seemed. When Jagger’s lips had done the same thing. Touched mine.
    I grabbed onto the porch railing and tried to smile. “Dano,” I stuttered, but words failed me.
    ER Dano stood in front of me on the porch of his lovely Victorian house. I’d called him from the airport in New Mexico last night, saying I was coming home for the weekend.
    My case would have to wait a few days.
    After the momentous kiss from Jagger, I had to break it off with ER Dano. And now he stood in front of me looking with his “experienced” eyes. And making me feel like crap.
    â€œIt’s just … I came here … Dano, you are a doll … ” As usual, I rambled on when I was nervous.
    But ER Dano stood looking at me, then nodded as if in agreement. As if he knew something I didn’t. “I understand.”
    â€œYou understand?”
    â€œYeah.” He pulled back and leaned against the doorframe.
    â€œThen clue me in.” I chuckled, but he remained silent.
    â€œMaybe you need to figure this one out on your own, Pauline.” He stepped forward, kissed my cheek and said, “Yep. You need to figure this one out on your own. I wish you the best of luck. Really.” He pushed a strand of hair back from my eyes.
    And I knew his wishes came from his heart.
    But, what did I need to figure out on my own? Oh, right. Everything in my life, but the most recent event, I supposed. I swallowed and nodded back. “I guess I do.”
    When I turned to leave, I touched a finger to my lips … and still could feel Jagger’s on mine. Delicious.
    Ah. ER Dano was one of the most intelligent men I’d ever met.
    But not the most.
    When I stepped into the door of my parent’s house, it was like stepping back into the past (my very nostalgic past), and I inhaled.
    Potato pancakes.
    Tonight was Friday. My mother cooked the same meal the same day of the week—forever.
    You could set Greenwich Mean Time on Stella Sokol’s menu.
    And I loved it.
    And I needed it.
    And I inhaled and felt a warmth inside me that made me feel at home in the security of my family.
    Because this time, Jagger couldn’t shroud me in security