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“Please, don’t start pretending to be a gentleman just because you’re wearing a suit.”
“When have I not been a gentleman?”
“The first time that comes to mind is when you climbed up the stall in the girl’s bathroom when I was trying to pee. But just give me a few minutes, and I’m sure I could come up with a top-ten list.”
He laughed. “You’ve got the memory of an elephant.” He walked in.
“And you have the manners of a baboon,” she countered.
“The zoo’s this way,” Burnett’s voice spoke from Holiday’s office.
Della frowned. Biting back a smile, Chase followed her into the office. Holiday, positioned behind her desk, nodded and Chase felt his muscles tighten. Ever since she’d threatened him, or rather his male parts, he’d avoided her. Burnett sat on the edge of the desk with his daughter in his arms.
The baby squealed when they walked in and held out her arms. “I think someone wants you.” Burnett held out the child toward Della.
Della took the baby from Burnett. “She has good taste.”
Right then the child squealed again and stretched out her arms toward Chase.
“Yup,” Chase said and laughed.
“I take that back,” Della muttered.
Holiday chuckled. “You look … hot, Chase.”
“Excuse me?” Burnett said, in humor.
“Thank you,” Chase said, his uneasiness lessening. “And it fits, too.” He shot Della a quick glance.
“Here.” Della held out the baby. Chase took a step back. “I don’t know how to hold it.”
“It?” Della and Holiday said at the same time.
“I mean her.”
Della made a face at him and then turned toward Burnett. The child looked at her father and started flapping her arms up and down. “Dada dada.”
“Did you hear that?” Burnett smiled bigger than Chase ever remembered. “She’s saying daddy.”
“She’s just making sounds,” Holiday said.
“You’re just jealous she said daddy before mama.”
“I am not,” Holiday said, but she looked it. “That didn’t sound like daddy, did it?” She looked at Chase.
“No … I didn’t … I don’t think so.”
“See?” Holiday laughed.
“Not to take the spotlight off our little princess here, but…” Della focused on Burnett and set the child on her hip. Despite seeming unsure of herself, the ease with which she handled the baby surprised Chase. She continued, “Did you get anything from the bar?”
Chase noted the smile in Burnett’s eyes fade. “The number Sam gave is a throwaway phone. No one ever answered.”
“Could he know Sam was caught?” Della asked.
“We don’t know that, but it’s a possibility.”
“And I suppose he didn’t show up at the bar, either?” Della asked, her tone mirroring Chase’s frustrations.
