Caught in the Web Emmy Ellis (best ereader for textbooks txt) 📖

“A woman would be good for me, I’ll give you that.”

“Shame it took you so long to see it, but hey, you have now, and that’s what matters.” She slid her Kindle into her bag. “I think my puppy is good for me, too.”

“I’m glad, although I still can’t get the image out of my head of him with a red garter across his face.”

Marla bounced a little in her seat. “Oh, I never did get to tell you that story, did I? Let me do it now, quickly, before Shaw comes over.”

“It had better be quick, because he’s being served now.”

Hot-faced by the time she’d waffled three-quarters of her tale, Burgess cleared his throat. She rushed to the conclusion, and Burgess couldn’t help but smile.

Shaw gathered their two pint glasses and Marla’s glass of red together in both hands and managed to wend through the crowd without spilling a drop or losing his hold. He reached their table and carefully put the glasses down.

“…and there you have it.” Marla patted Burgess’ hand then picked up her fresh drink. “I’ll tell you another sometime. Shaw might want to hear one, too.”

“Hear what?” Shaw sat opposite Burgess, drew his chair closer, the scrape of the legs on the floor all but lost amid the chatter, and sipped some of his pint.

“You don’t want to know.” Burgess reached over to pat Shaw’s shoulder.

“Oh God. Watch it, Shaw. He’s emotional tonight,” Marla said.

Burgess didn’t kiss Shaw’s forehead, though. “I appreciate you.”

Shaw stared at him. “What the hell’s brought that on?”

Burgess lifted his pint. “Realising I’m the luckiest bastard on the planet, that’s what.” He glanced from Shaw to Marla then back to Shaw. “Don’t leave me, you two. Ever.”

He was with the two people who’d stood by him over the years, knowing and loving him for everything he was, not just the good parts. Now it was time to give them the same kind of love back. He swallowed, balanced his elbows on the edge of the table. “Right, now that’s that out of the way, where are you going tonight to be all dolled up like that, Mar?”

“Out with You Know Who. What are you doing? Off to find a woman?” She gave him a shoulder nudge that send him sideways.

“Nah, we’re going to my place. Gaming’s on the cards.”

“Blimey,” Shaw said. “You must be emotional if you’re letting me kip on your sofa again.”

“Got to be,” Marla said.

“Yeah, but if you make any mess, I’ll have you.” Burgess winked.

Many of his personal burdens had been eased with this case. Now, if he could bring himself to fully open up and banish them for good, life would be perfect.

He was looking forward to that.