“Not yet. She knew about Grace and our date, but when Grace disappeared, I blew it off, pretended it didn’t bother me. If Bizzy knew how often I truly thought about Grace, she’d have scoured the campus searching for answers.”
“This doesn’t seem like a bad thing, and I thought you two didn’t have secrets.”
“We don’t, well, not usually.” I try to think of how to explain. “You’re married to her, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but she’s a bit protective of me.”
“No fucking shit,” Shaw and Mathis both mutter.
“But it’s more than that. You both know she thinks I’ve always been too focused on her, especially in college. So, I never told Bizzy because it would be another reason for her to feel guilty. She always said I paid too much attention to her and not enough on me.”
“I get it completely,” Shaw agrees.
He, of all people, understands how Bizzy’s mind works. Even all these years later, she’d likely find a way to feel guilty about Grace’s disappearance.
“So, do you think you can help me?”
“Already on it. Should have a lead for you by tomorrow morning at the latest.” Shaw sits back and crosses his arms in satisfaction.
“That was fast.”
“I started working on this when Mathis called me. So far, I’ve requested the guest list, actual attendees, and full vendor roster. If Grace was there, we’ll find her,” he assures me confidently.
“I hate to sound like Captain Obvious, but have you searched for her online?” Mathis takes out his phone and starts to type something.
“Nothing there. She has no digital footprint—no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, snapchat, Tumblr—nothing. I’ve looked.”
Mathis’s eyes snap to mine in surprise.
“What? Told you I’d been curious about her. I search every few months.” I shrug. I also lie. I’ve searched every single week in hopes that something, any clue as to what happened to her, would pop up.
I’ll keep that tidbit to myself. No need to tell them I’ve been hung up on this woman for years.
“Nick.” Shaw sits up, dropping his hands to his desk as his face grows serious. “Is there something you’re not telling us here? This seems a little deeper than a crush.”
“Like I said, curiosity.”
His eyes pierce into mine, and a few beads of sweat roll down my back. As my big brother, he’s always been able to read my thoughts, but I hold his stare, trying to remain cool.
There’s a flash of understanding in his eyes, but instead of questioning me further, he looks at Mathis then to his computer.
“My calendar is clear for the rest of the afternoon. The first round is on you.” He points to me. “It’s the least you can do for that bullshit the other night.”
I chuckle as images of his face flash through my mind. “It’s your fault for being such an easy target.”
I expect some sort of irritated comeback, but he shakes his head as he packs up his computer.
“I can’t wait to meet Grace Monroe. If she’s still single, maybe she’d like to meet Darren Jackson. He’ll be in town in two weeks.”
There’s his comeback.
My humor fades as a growl rumbles from my chest. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
I don’t find anything amusing when they both roar in laughter.
I bolt awake at the sound of Shaw’s ringtone. My eyes refuse to focus as I dig around for my phone. By the time I locate it, my brain hurts and my head is pounding from the noise.
“What?” I barely croak, still unsure of where I am. One thing is for certain; I’m not in my bed.
“You alive?” Shaw fucking chirps in my ear.