An Officer, The K9, And Me

Chapter 33

SOPHIA

It's been so long. 

The evening's sunset looked beautiful as I stood by the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. The sky slowly descended into work of art sorely made up of orange and yellow. Slowly but sorely faded into more darker colors. 

By the time the sky was a mixture of blue and purple strokes that was when Jack came up from behind me. 

"Beautiful, isn't it?" 

"You could say that." I turn around, facing him. He stood before me in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. His hair visibly wet. 

"You have a nice shower?" I ask. 

"Always." He nodded. 

I turn back to the window. "You know I can't think of the last time I watched a sunset." 

"One could argued that you can't remember much of anything with the amnesia." Jack stated obviously. And then, "Wait. Did you remember something?" 

I smiled. "I guess so. Although I remember that whenever I did watch the sunset I was usually down on the beach and not in some rich person's penthouse." 

Jack laughed. 

I walk past him and lean over the counter. "How do you afford this place anyway? You're a cop?" 

Jack rubbed his neck as he met me over by the counter, leaning over the other edge of it. "I don't afford it." He admitted. 

"What do you mean?" 

"This place technically belongs to my ex." 

"Your ex? Girlfriend?" 

"Fiance." Jack clarified. "She let's me stay here after our relationship ended rather abruptly." 

"But she's okay with paying for a place where she doesn't even live in. Where does she live?" 

"She has her own place." 

"She pays for her own place where she lives and one she doesn't. How can she afford that. Is she something heir to some Fortune 500 company. Why?" 

"Don't be ridiculous." Jack scoffed. "She's an E.R doctor." 

"An E.R doctor? Is she the one from..." 

"Yep." Jack said in confirmation as I thought back to the hospital. The pretty blonde with the ponytail and the long white coat. 

"She's your fiance." 

"Was my fiance. Not anymore." 

"But she still pays for you to live in a penthouse?" 

"Yep." 

"Why?" 

Jack shrugged. "In a way she owes me." 

Before I could say anything more the front door swings open and the unmistakable sound of high heels click clanking against the hardwood floors. 

Cate appears in front of us. "Okay, so, I know our original plan didn't plan out but I searched for a new store where we can get dresses for tomorrow night and-" 

Before Cate can finish with her verbal diarrhea another person bursts through the door. 

Dixie-Hart appears in front of us, two large black tailor bags in both hands. 

"By all means, everyone, just come on in." Jack said dryly. 

"Oh shush now, Officer McHotPants." 

Jack rolled his eyes as he tried not to laugh. 

"What are those?" I said, pointing towards the garment bags. 

"See for yourself." Dixie-Hart said as she handed one of the bags to me. 

Not hesitating, I pulled the zipper and slid it all the way down to the floor revealing a dres. But not just any dress. The dress. The dress I saw and I thought it was perfect because it was. The gorgeous blue evening gown with the sweetheart neckline trimmed with a delicate lace edge. 

"Oh. My. God!" I look over at Cate to see her grinning like the Cheshire cat. "You knew?" 

"She told me not to say anything because it was supposed to be a surprise." Cate said pointing at Dixie-Hart. 

"Thank you!" I said and immediately went in for a hug. 

Dixie-Hart replied. "Well this ball is a big deal and you deserve to look good." She shot a look over at Jack and then whispered, "especially if you'll be arriving with that hot piece of ass." 

Jack said. "Um, I can hear you." 

Dixie-Hart didn't say anything to that. Just winked and gave Jack a small dainty wave. 

Jack rolled his eyes. "Alright. With that, I'm going to go to bed." He made his way to the stairs. "Anyone who doesn't live here, get the fuck out." 

"Yes, Officer." Cate replied before leaving with Dixie-Hart traveling behind. 

When the door shut I made my way over to a cabinet, grabbed a glass, and got some water. As I was sipping that pamplet for the real estate officer caught my eye again from where I tossed it onto the counter earlier. 

I leaned over the kitchen island staring down at the real estate brochure. There was just something about it that stood out to me. Mostly the man on the cover. And the name. 

Bryan Channing? 

But what did he have to do with anything? 

I looked through the small pamphlet and found an address. Maybe? Just maybe if I went there and found this Bryan Channing guy I might be able to get answers. Answers for what? 

Ugh, I don't even know what I need to know. 

Perhaps Bryan and I know each other? 

It's something. Not much, or probably nothing at all, but it's all I have and I have to follow all leads. 

I turned off the lights and walked to the door. Easton spotted me from his position over on the couch and I pressed my finger to my lips in a shh! motion and silently snuck out before I could second guess anything.