Chapter 24: Chapter 24: A Very Familiar Trope

Jake's POV

Ripley was going to drive him insane. He hadn't been able to get that confident wink out of his mind the entire rest of the drive.

It was embarrassing to get caught following her like that. Usually, he was good at tailing suspects. He wasn't accustomed to getting stuck in standstill traffic and then his suspect hiking up and down the shoulder on the interstate.

It hadn't been so bad though.

Ripley had almost let him see that deeper part of her. He had nearly felt her slam the gates to her soft, warm heart on him, but it was nice to get a glimpse like that.

Her truck was already in the motel parking lot when he pulled in.

He had tried to give her some distance while they drove, but there was no denying he was on her tail now.

Jake could hear her from outside the doors.

"What do you mean you lost my reservation? It's not even peak season yet. This place should be a ghost town," she was shouting.