Murders & Romance: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery (Isaac Taylor Mysteries Book 5) by Lashell Collins (ready player one ebook .TXT) 📗

he turned to Gerri and flipped a thumb in Gavin’s direction. “I’ve never actually seen my dad this happy and goofy before you.”

Gavin chuckled. But then a strange look came over Trey’s face and Gavin suddenly wondered what the boy was thinking about. Trey fixed him with a curious stare, the kind of stare that makes you want to rethink your whole life.

“I guess I never really knew the truth, did I?”

“What do you mean, Trey?”

“I never realized before that you and mom… your marriage wasn’t a very happy one, was it?”

Gavin was shocked his son was finally asking that question. He was even more shocked to be having this conversation in front of Gerri. But he would never lie to his son. He slowly shook his head.

“No. No it wasn’t. In fact… the only good thing that came out of it was you.”

Trey was silent for a moment. Then he slapped on a smile and looked Gavin in the eyes.

“Well, it’s good finally seeing you this happy, Dad. It looks good on you.”

Underneath the table, Gerri grabbed Gavin’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. Gavin looked into her eyes for a moment and then he gave her hand an answering squeeze.

“Hello, everyone. Here are menus.” The waiter handed them each a menu to look over.

Trey looked at Gerri.

“You’re not a vegetarian are you, Gerri?”

“Nope. Bring on the meat.”

“Well then you’re in for a treat. This place makes the best cheeseburgers in the world!”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Your dad tells me you love this place.”

“Oh, my God, they’re so good!”

“Good, because I’m starving.”

Gavin looked at her. “You’re starving?”

“I am.”

“After all the times I’ve had to practically tie you down to get you to eat. Now, you’re starving?”

“In my defense, I wasn’t at my best when you were trying to get me to eat. Besides, I’m told this place has the best burgers in the world.”

Gavin laughed, and when the other two joined in, he felt his body letting go of the anxiety. This was going to be the best dinner date ever.

Emmett Fox pulled up outside a brown brick house in Kamm’s Corners. Something about the cookie-cutter nature of all the cute little brick homes reminded him of gingerbread houses. A whole neighborhood of gingerbread. Not that he typically paid attention to such things, but he’d be willing to bet that at Christmastime the whole neighborhood would look like a candy land with colored lights everywhere.

He checked his appearance in the rearview mirror and fought against the flutter of butterflies in his stomach. His level of nervousness tonight had him truly undone. He couldn’t explain it. He didn’t get nervous about this type of thing. Women didn’t make him nervous. In fact, nothing much did.

Maybe chasing down killers.

Certainly, gunfights.

Never women.

Not until tonight anyway. Not until Emily Taylor.

Just the thought of her had him keyed up and he had no clue why.

Maybe because he’d flubbed their last attempt at a first date so badly, and then had to call her brother to gage Emily’s level of pissed.

He shoved that thought aside and got out of the car and made his way to the front door wondering if he should’ve taken the time to press his jeans. Not that they were wrinkled or anything. The thought made him roll his eyes, and he reached out and rang the bell before he could obsess over his attire anymore.

The door swung open, and he stared into her bright blue eyes and sweet smile. He’d almost forgotten how gorgeous she was.

Golden waves framed her lovely face and she looked like an angel staring back at him. His gaze traveled down, taking in the short, pale yellow dress with tiny pink and red flowers on it. The thin straps exposed her bare shoulders, and his gaze drifted lower to her bare legs and high-heeled sandals. Wow was the only word registering in his mind, but he swallowed it down in an effort not to embarrass himself.

“Hi.”

She smiled at him, and his self-control evaporated.

“Wow.”

It was all he could say.

Emily frowned and looked down at her dress.

“Is this okay? You didn’t indicate a dress code or anything.”

Emmett hesitated, forcing his mind and his mouth to work together.

“You look amazing.”

“Thanks.”

She smiled at him again, and Emmett fought to pull himself together. This woman made him stupid, and that had never happened to him before.

“Let me just grab my purse.”

She disappeared for a few seconds, and he silently chastised himself for acting like a moron. When she returned and stepped out the door, she was carrying a small purse and wearing a short denim jacket.

“So, where are we going, G-man?”

Emmett grinned at the term. “How do you feel about pizza?”

“Pizza?”

He could tell from the sound of her voice that it wasn’t what she’d been expecting.

“I love a good pizza. When I first got this posting, I was overjoyed to find a place that makes the most delicious pizza. It’s called Niccolo.”

“Hmm. I’ve never been.”

She sounded skeptical and Emmett thought about choosing someplace else. He really wanted this date to go well.

“Well, they have a great dinner menu too if pizza’s not your thing.”

“No. Pizza sounds great.”

She smiled, but she sounded less than convinced. Emmett led her to the car and opened the door for her. Before she got in, she picked up a single long-stemmed pink rose he’d left on the passenger seat and looked up at him.

His whole face heated up like an oven.

“Oh. I got that for you. I thought maybe a full bouquet would be too much for a first date, but a single rose was classier. And then I forgot to bring it to the door with me.”

The smile that slid over her slightly pouty lips lit up her pretty face, and his fluttering heart.

“I’m a little nervous,” he admitted.

“I didn’t think G-men got nervous.”

“Well, this one does. Especially tonight.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment, Agent Fox.”

“As you most certainly should, Ms. Taylor.”

He watched her sexy legs fold into the car, and