Shit.
Turning my head, I avoided looking at her. Pulling Meagan’s chair out, I smiled and squeezed her shoulder before sitting down. She leaned over and whispered, “Sorry, I didn’t know.”
With a fake smile, I nodded and buried my face in the menu.
“Georgia will be over to take your drink orders here in a second. Enjoy your lunch.” I didn’t bother looking at her as Meagan and Brad thanked her.
“I take it you know the manager, Gray?”
Not wanting to lie, I gave a nod of acknowledgement and said, “Owner. Diana is the owner. She owns a few places around the area.”
Brad lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “Well, that’s great for her. She must be a smart business woman.”
Meagan giggled as she lifted her hand over her mouth and whispered, “Sorry. Thought about something that made me chuckle.”
“Afternoon, folks. What can I get you to drink?”
“Iced tea please,” Brad said.
“Same for me, thank you.”
Not wanting to be rude, I pulled the menu down and said, “I’ll have the same.”
Georgia’s mouth dropped open as she ran around the table and wrapped her arms around me. “Gray! Holy crap. I haven’t seen you in forever! How’s the new life treating you?”
My stomach felt sick as I forced a smile. “It’s good. All is good.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. I was so worried when I found out you were going to be a cop.”
One peak over to Brad showed him looking through the menu. Thank God.
“Yeah, crazy.”
It was then I saw him.
Joshua Black. Meagan must have seen him at the same time because she grabbed my hand.
“Crazy running into you here, Detective Bennett.”
Dropping his menu, Brad looked at Joshua. Meagan grabbed my hand and held it tightly as my adrenaline shot up fast.
“Mr. Black, how are you this evening?” I asked. Brad must have noticed the tone in my voice had changed.
Joshua smiled as his eyes bounced over to Meagan. “I’m doing good. Meagan, how are you?”
Clearing her throat, Meagan said, “Doing well. Out to lunch with my father.”
“Is that so?” Turning to Brad, Joshua held out his hand and shook it. “I’m an acquaintance of the detective’s.”
What the fuck?
“It’s a pleasure, Brad Atwood.”
Son-of-a-bitch. Now Joshua knew Meagan’s last name.
With a quick smile, Joshua turned back to me. “Is this as close to your old stomping grounds as you could get?”
Meagan froze as Brad looked between Joshua and me. “Excuse me?” I asked as I balled my fists.