Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

us with stories from law school. He’d gone to Harvard and it was clear he wasn’t going to let anyone forget it.

After an hour, Hadley leaned over and whispered, “Want to get more drinks at the bar?”

“We have a waitress.”

She glanced at Preston who was still talking and stood. “Trust me.”

“This view is amazing,” I said as we slid onto the last two stools at the bar. This close to the edge we had a perfect view of Canal Street.

“It is. I love New Orleans.”

You could see the twinkling lights of the city from here and I wondered if we could see my neighborhood. “Are you from here?”

“I lived in Louisiana all my life but not here in the city. I moved here for law school and stayed for this job.” Glancing at the cocktail list again, she said, “Let’s go old school and get some martinis.”

“Sounds good.”

She ordered two martinis when the bartender stopped in front of us. When he moved to make our drinks, Hadley gestured at the bar. “This is so much better. I don’t think I could have listened to Preston brag about Harvard for one more second.”

“Tell me about it.” I glanced back to see him waving his arms as he told yet another story. “Do you think which school he went to matters?”

“I didn’t go to an Ivy League school. Once you have a job, it shouldn’t matter which school you went to.”

“I hope not.” The bar was quickly filling up with more people as it got later. I couldn’t even see Preston at our table any more through everyone milling about.

“Dean only cares about how hard you work, and he’s really into the community outreach programs.”

“I’ve been really involved with that.” I thought of Gabe’s neighborhood and how I’d decided to take a step back from him, but I’d still see him if I was planning the block party.

“Then you’re fine. Make sure you schedule a few talks throughout the year—you can speak at one of the universities, a community center, or a youth group of some sort. Dean doesn’t really care as long as whatever you do, you’re passionate about it.”

Right now, talking in front of a group of people about the justice system seemed easier than approaching Gabe about planning the block party. “That’s pretty cool he’s so into it.”

“This is our way of preventing crime before it happens—trying to make a difference.” She took a large sip of her martini. “I think most of us want to do more. As long as you’re on board with that your job is secure.” We were quiet for a minute, enjoying the view and the relative quiet after being with Preston most of the night.

“Are you dating anyone back home?” Hadley asked, taking a bite of her olive and placing the toothpick onto her napkin.

“No.” If I added more, I’d have to tell her it was because of Caleb but I wasn’t ready to talk about him yet.

“There’s someone, though.” She said it like it was a fact.

Surprised, I looked at her. “How did you know?”

“You’ve been preoccupied all night, constantly checking your phone.” She nodded to my phone which sat face up in front of me on the bar.

I hadn’t even realized I’d done that. I wasn’t even expecting Gabe to contact me after he’d said he was fine. “It was one kiss, but I think it’s over now.”

“Why do you think that?” She edged closer to me because I was speaking softly.

I thought back to the conversation on the street outside the bar with Isaac. “He’s going through something but won’t talk to me about it.” I swirled the toothpick in my drink.

“But what did he say—the one who kissed you?”

Had I said too much to someone I hadn’t known long? Maybe, but I wanted to talk to someone about it and she’d been a good friend since we’d met. “His name is Gabe. His friend, Isaac, said he was going through something and that he’d tell me when he was ready. When I asked if everything was okay Gabe said he was fine. I know it sounds like I’m overthinking things but I swear, he’s hiding a kid or something.” I wasn’t going to push myself on him. He either wanted my help or he didn’t.

“Hmm … tell me what happened between you guys.”

Sometimes when co-workers asked questions like this it felt like they just wanted to hear gossip, but Hadley’s face was filled with genuine interest and concern. “Not much. We kissed one time.” And almost kissed another time which seemed just as significant as the actual kiss. “His business is in the same neighborhood where I’m doing my community outreach.” I told her briefly about the thefts, the issue with the police department, and the block party I wanted to plan.

“That’s perfect.” Hadley smiled. “You’ll still have to see him to plan the block party.”

“Did you hear anything I said? He could have a kid or a girlfriend he’s hiding.”

“He could have a kid, but I don’t think he’s involved with anyone. If he repeatedly said you were too good for him then that’s the real issue. I don’t think he’d lie about that based on what you’ve told me so far.” Then she shrugged. “But I haven’t met him so I can’t say for sure.”

“I’m not sure I know him well enough to determine that.”

“Don’t you?” she raised a brow.

“He’s hiding something from me. I know it, and Isaac confirmed it the other day.”

“I’ll help you plan the block party and maybe he’ll come around. If he doesn’t, we’ll still have done something good for our job and the community. No harm done.”

Maybe it would be easier to avoid Gabe if Hadley was with me. “Okay.”

“Yeah?” she smiled. “I’m more persuasive than I thought.”

Hadley was a force, but I was glad I’d met her. “You are.” I didn’t usually unload on others, but she was turning into a good friend. I was happy I wouldn’t be alone if