I shivered in the cool night air, goose bumps brewing along my arms as his gaze moved slowly over me, resting on my face.

His hand came up. I held my breath as he brushed a strand of wet hair from my forehead, tucking it behind my ear.

I licked my lips, wondering what he’d do next. Wondering what I wanted him to do next.

His eyes went dark, his features soft. He leaned in until I could smell the coffee on his warm breath as it grazed my cheek.

“Tina,” he whispered.

My heart was racing, my breath stuck in my throat, anticipation and fear mixing an uneasy cocktail in the pit of my stomach. Yet it was the best feeling I’d felt in a long time. Was he going to kiss me? Did I want him to?

I stood on tiptoe, leaning in.

But I never got the chance to find out.

Sirens erupted behind me. Muted at first, but gaining intensity at a rate that completely broke the moment, both of us turning to watch as an ambulance screeched into the Palm Grove complex.

Quite frankly, ambulances here were not an unusual sight. Considering the average age of the residents was high enough to put half of them on the Grim Reaper’s waiting list, we were on a first-name basis with at least three local paramedics.

But the way this one tore through the complex, zipping up Paradise Lane, I could tell something wasn’t right. Something that became even less right as it turned onto Oasis Terrace.

And pulled to a halt right outside my condo.

Chapter Eleven

I froze for a full ten seconds before adrenaline flooded my system, and I sprinted toward the flashing lights of the ambulance. I felt Cal a step behind me, his heavy boots thumping along the pavement in time to the slap of my bare feet. Somewhere near Haven Circle I lost my towel, but I didn’t care. My entire being was focused on my home, where a police car had just joined the ambulance, a pair of uniformed officers following the paramedics through my front door.

Aunt Sue. Millie.

I should never have left the house. I should have made Cal come in with me. I should never have written those damned columns, should never have taken this damned job, should never have butted my nose into other people’s business. If anything happened to Aunt Sue…

Flashing red and blue lights painted the scene in garish hues, bouncing off our stoic pink flamingo. I felt a choking sob escape my throat as I hit the front door.

A uniformed officer held out an arm, barring my entrance.

“I need to get inside. My aunt,” I cried, desperation slurring my speech, making me sound like some hysterical horror movie heroine. Behind him I could make out the shapes of two paramedics, heard the sounds of Jeopardy! blaring from the TV.