drag me down | grayson dolan

【two】

My feet move down the quiet boardwalk of the Santa Monica Pier. It isn't too crowded, which gives me more time to soak in the scenery. I have never been to California, until now. The crystal blue water around me sends an excited chill down my spine. I can't help the small smirk that curves onto my lips.

I turn my head and see Duke leaning against the railing. He's wearing a black t-shirt with shorts, his brown eyes are covered by dark sunglasses. I walk over to him and clear my throat.

"Hey there." I brightly smile.

"You're late." I forgot how thick is accent is.

"Are you sure about that?" I cross my arms over my white tank top as I stare at him.

He looks down to the watch on his wrist. "Huh, exactly seven."

"I get shit done on time, remember that." I remark with a cocky attitude.

His head tilts back up, giving me the impression that he's looking at me through his shades. "I already like you, Jacobs."

"Thanks." I chuckle while looking back toward the water. "So, where to now? Hollywood Boulevard? Melrose? How about Beverly Hills?"

"Easy tourist, we're grabbing breakfast first." He begins to walk away from the railing.

"Oh, okay." I casually state with another light laugh escaping my lips.

I follow him down the boardwalk as my eyes wander around the area. The large roller coaster and ferris wheel in the distance already make my cheeks heat up with excitement. Although I have a tough side, I'm a total kid at heart.

Duke steps into a diner and asks for a table. We immediately get seated at a small booth and are handed menus.

"Can I start you two off with something to drink?" The dark haired woman politely asks us while holding onto a notepad.

"Coffee, black." Duke looks up at her.

I quickly eye him before glancing back to her. "Just a water, thank you."

"Coming right up." She smiles before walking away.

"Angelo said no caffeine." I point out.

"Love, if you think I listen to anything Angelo says then you're wrong." He leans back in the booth and stares at me.

"Okay." My voice trails off as I keep my eyes on him. "Shouldn't we get to know each other? We are partners on this case and I want to know who I'm working with."

"I don't feel like playing a game of twenty questions, if you have anything to ask then just go ahead and do it." He shrugs.

"How old are you?" I place my hands on the table.

"Turning twenty six in August, and you?" He finally takes his glasses off to make this conversation more professional.

"I turned twenty four in May." I nod my head slightly.

"Angelo told me you're one smart girl." He squints his eyes while staring at me.

"I am, and I take my job very seriously."

"What made you want to go into a dangerous field? Guns, violence, a shit ton of detective work. Did beauty school not pay the bills?" He lets out a laugh.

I simply rub my lips together while looking down at the table. "It's personal." I mutter as a tightness forms in my stomach. The reason for wanting to get involved in this reckless job is something nobody knows the truth behind.

"Noted." He leans back as the waitress brings us our drinks. I shake off the uncomfortable feeling as we order breakfast. I stick with my healthy diet of an egg omelette, while Duke orders pancakes with a side of bacon.