Chapter 3

Josephine’s POV

The next day went by quickly as I got all moved into my apartment. I was unpacking my room when my phone dinged. It was a message from Tara.

“Are we still on for tonight?” I looked at the time it was already six and I had gotten a lot done.

“Of course. I am about done unpacking anyway. What time do you want to pick me up?” I hit send. My phone dinged right away.

“I can be there in an hour. Is that ok?”

“Yep. I will be ready.” I text back and then went hunting for the perfect outfit.

I had most of my clothes unpacked already so I searched through my closet. I finally found what I was looking for. It was a tight-fitting red dress that clung to all my curves in the right way and pushed my chest up just right. I pulled out my red heels and then jumped in the shower. I was ready just as my doorbell rang. I double-checked my make up and grabbed my purse. I opened the door and Tara was staring at me. 

“What? Do I have something in my teeth?” I asked her. She giggled.

“No. You just look hot. I didn’t even know you owned anything like that.” I laughed at her.

“I think you bought this for me silly.” She laughed as we walked arm in arm down to the car.

“Oh yeah. I remember now. You had a date with that hot cadet when we first started the academy but then I never saw you wear it again. Whatever happened to that guy anyway?” The guy she was talking about was very cute but he was a complete asshole and I don’t do that shit. When we went out that night he almost got into a fight with another guy who was talking with me when I had gone to get a drink. As soon as he did that I said I had to go and never talked to him again.

“Oh, you know me. He was a jerk so I ditched him.” I said with a smile as we climbed into Tara’s car. She laughed and we headed down to meet Dan at the bar. I was looking forward to this. I hadn’t been out in a while and I knew that once we started working I wouldn’t have much time to do this again especially if I wanted to accomplish my goals. When we pulled up Dan was waiting out front for us. 

“Well aren’t I the lucky one tonight. I get to have two of the finest women I have ever seen on my arm.” He said as we walked up to him. I rolled my eyes and smiled as Tara hugged him. “Are you guys ready to celebrate?” He asked. We both nodded and he lead the way in and found us a table. The bar was actually pretty busy tonight. We ordered some food and drinks and sat talking for a little bit. 

“So Joey, Tara tells me that you are working to make detective as soon as possible. You know you might want to rethink working here in Little Creek.” I looked at Dan with curiosity.

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“No reason. It’s just that Little Creek is so small that there usually isn’t a lot of murders around here. I am just saying you might move up quickly if you work in a bigger town.” He was right. There really wasn’t much crime here but I was willing to work hard and if I can’t move up here then maybe I will try a different town. For now, though I will work and see what happens.

“Thanks for the advice but I think I will stick it out here for now,” I said with a smile. 

“Yeah, Dan don’t give my friend any idea on abandoning me.” Tara chimed in and we all laughed. I wouldn’t leave Tara alone anyway. She did very well in the academy but the streets are different and I was worried about her. All of a sudden Tara squealed out. “Oh my god, this is my favorite song. Come on guys let's dance.” I looked at Dan and smiled as she grabbed both our hands and dragged us to the dance floor.

“Hey, she is your friend.” He said to me. I laughed at him.

“Yeah, but she is your new roommate.” The look on his face was priceless and it made me laugh even harder. After about a good three or four songs I was done and needed a drink. “Hey, I am going to get something to drink you guys want anything?” I asked Tara and Dan.

“Yeah I’ll take a beer and Tara will have another tequila sunrise,” Dan said. I nodded and headed to the bar. I found an open spot. 

“Can I get a beer and two tequila sunrises please?” I asked the bartender. He nodded and went to make my drinks. I stood there waiting and I felt like someone was watching me. I turned to my left and that’s when I saw him. He was the most amazing looking man I had seen in this town. His smokey dark eyes were watching me with such intensity that it was almost a little freaky. He stood up and I held my breath. He was tall probably taller than Dan and very built. He wore a pair of black jeans that hung just a little with a black button-up shirt. He had the sleeves rolled back that showed his muscular arms and a slight hint of a tattoo. His black hair was neatly slicked back and all I wanted to do was run my hands through it. He walked over to me and smiled the most amazing smile ever.

“Here are your drinks ma’am.” I realized that the bartender was standing there waiting for me to pay. 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said as I reached into my purse to get my money.

“Put the ladies drinks on my tab please Ricardo.” The man said to the bartender.

“Sure thing Mr. Graves.” The bartender said and walked away.

“Well thank you. You didn’t have to do that.” I said to him. He flashed me another beautiful grin and I thought I was going to drop right there. Geez, get it together woman. I said to myself. He is just a man. You act like you have never seen one before.

“It was my pleasure. My name is Ethan and your name is?” He asked me. I suddenly forgot how to speak like I was back in high school. Wow. No one has ever made me feel like this. I don’t know if it was his great looks or the way he watched me but I couldn’t believe the way I was acting. I finally found my voice.

“It’s Josephine but everyone calls me Joey. It was nice to meet you, Ethan. Thank you for the drinks.” I said as I started to walk back to the table. I felt his hand touch my arm.

“Wait would you mind if I joined you?” He asked. “I find that you have caught my attention and I could use some company.” He said with that smirk on his face. I looked over at the table and Dan and Tara were watching me.

“Sure. It might be nice to get to know you.” I started to walk to the table with Ethan behind me. I still couldn't believe that he even wanted to talk to me but fuck it I am going to play this out. Once we got to the table I handed Tara and Dan their drinks and smiled as Tara was looking wide-eyed at Ethan. “Guys this is Ethan. Ethan this is Dan and Tara, my friends.”

“Nice to meet you, Ethan,” Dan said as he stuck his hand out to shake Ethans. Tara was still just staring up at him. I pushed her a little bit and then laughed when she almost fell out of her chair.

“Sorry nice to meet you, Ethan.” She said as Ethan and I took a seat. Tara looked at me and mouthed out the words oh my god at me. I just smiled and listened to Dan and Ethan talk. 

“So Josephine, what brought you out tonight?” Ethan asked me. The way he says my name is almost heaven-like. I feel goosebumps go through my body.

“Well, Tara and I just graduated from the police academy and start our new jobs here in Little Creek on Monday.” His eyes seemed to light up when I said this.

“Really. Well, maybe we will get to work together sometime.” He said.

“Are you a cop?” Tara asked.

“No. But I work closely with the police. I am their profiler.” He said with a matter of fact tone. Hmm, a profiler. This just keeps getting better and better. “Josephine, would you like to dance?” He asked me. I nodded and he took my hand. “Excuse us.” He said to Tara and Dan who both were smiling now.

Once we were away from the table Ethan wrapped his arms around my waist as we started to dance to the song. I was enjoying this moment. I knew that I had said I wasn’t looking to hook up and I would keep to that but damn if it didn’t feel nice in his arms. “So tell me something about yourself, Josephine.” He asked me.

“Please call me Joey everyone else does,” I said to him. 

“I like Josephine better.” He said smiling. I actually didn’t mind him calling me by my full name. It sounded so good coming from his mouth.

“What would you like to know?” I asked him.

“Whatever you would like to tell me. Are you from our small town?” I shook my head.

“No. Well, I guess I am kind of. I moved here when I was five with my mother.”

“And your father?” He asked.

“He passed away.” That was all I said.

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” I could hear the sympathy in his voice. The same sympathy I always hear when I tell people about my father.

“It’s okay. He is the reason why I joined the police academy.” Ethan's eyebrows raised a little bit.

“Why’s that?” He asked. So over the next few songs, I explained to him about my father and how I wanted to be a homicide detective. “Wow. You have some high goals but from what I can see you are a bright girl.” He said. I smiled up at him as the song came to an end. My feet were killing me.

“Thank you, Ethan. Would you mind if we sit back down I wasn’t planning on dancing this much.” I said as I pointed down to my shoes. He grinned down at me and pulled me back over to the bar away from Tara and Dan. He ordered us some more drinks and we talked some more. I don’t know if it was the alcohol or if I was attracted to him but all I wanted to do was kiss him. Screw it. I reached over and kissed him. He pulled me closer and our kiss intensified. Damn, he could kiss. 

“Should we take this somewhere more private?” He asked me as we broke our kiss. As much as my body seemed to want him my mind was telling me to not take this any further. 

“Maybe some other time Ethan. I don’t think it would be a good thing to do since I am probably drunker than I think.” He kind of had a shocked look on his face and I smiled. “What have you never been told no before?” I asked.

“No Josephine. I have been told no before you just are amazing that’s all. Can I at least get your number so that maybe we can get together again?” He asked. I nodded and he pulled out his phone. I took it from him and put my number in it. I handed him his phone back and then kissed him goodnight. 

“I have to get going, Ethan. I hope I hear from you again.” I said. He kissed my hand softly. Oh Mr. Charming I thought to myself.

“You will my dear Josephine. You will. Until then.” He said as he let go of my hand. I walked back to the table just as Tara and Dan were starting to get up.

“Wow. I thought for sure you would be going home with tall, dark and handsome over there.” Tara said. I looked back and saw that Ethan’s eyes were still on me.

“No. Not tonight at least.” I said and she laughed as we headed out the door.