THE EXCITEMENT ABBY felt because Luke was no longer dating Faye took her by surprise. Still, doubt sprouted. He and Faye still had a lot in common —friendship could easily grow into something deeper.

Abby thought about her long engagement with Ethan. She’d known him for years before they’d gotten engaged; they’d been good friends. Was that really the stage Luke and Faye were in, the long friendship before commitment? Of course it was possible that Luke wasn’t ready for a serious relationship with anyone.

She prayed that wasn’t the case. She related better to Luke than she’d ever related to Ethan, even though she’d known Ethan for so much longer. By the time they broke up, it was obvious that their life interests were far apart. She was ready to move on, and she could admit to herself that she wanted to move on with Luke.

But am I really ready for something serious? Abby wondered. Ethan and I were better friends before we started dating. I don’t want to lose what I have with Luke. Maybe staying professional colleagues is the way to go.

They spent only a short time together Sunday afternoon. He’d left saying he had plans with his daughter for Sunday night. Considering that they’d get their first case Monday made Abby feel like a kid on Christmas Eve anticipating the morning.

“Hey, you sure are deep in thought.” Megan, Abby’s best friend since her college days, stomped her foot in front of Abby. “Must be thinking about a man.”

“What makes you say that?” Abby stood from the dusty bench she’d been sitting on outside the theater and brushed off her pants, hoping Megan didn’t read her as well as Luke could. The last thing she wanted was another lecture from her friends about getting back on the horse after her breakup with Ethan. She, Megan, and their friend Jessica were planning on seeing the new blockbuster about an earthquake, the “big one,” hitting California.

“Well, we’re going to see a movie with a hunky leading man. It could lead to a wandering mind.”

“Actually, I was wondering why my friends are always late.”

“Ha, the cop speaks. Are you going to give me a ticket?”

“Why? What did you do?” Jessica sauntered up and tapped Megan on the shoulder.

“Nothing yet,” Abby said. “Let’s buy our tickets and find seats before all we’re left with is the front row, looking up everyone’s nostrils.”

“Nag, nag, nag.” Megan rolled her eyes as they linked arms and headed for the theater.

But Abby felt an earthquake in her own heart when she recognized the couple in front of them in the ticket line.

Luke and Maddie Murphy.

“Hey, I know you.” Maddie caught Abby’s eye.

“Hi, Maddie,” Abby said.

Luke followed his daughter’s movement and turned to see Abby. “Hey, Abby.”

Was it her imagination or did he seem genuinely happy to see her?

“Hello, Luke.” She nodded to Jessica and Megan. “You remember my friends?”

“Sure do.” He shook each woman’s hand. “Both great volleyball players. Which movie are you guys here to see?”

“The earthquake flick.”

“Us too!” Maddie grabbed Abby’s hand. “Want to sit with us? Dad, can they sit with us?”

Luke looked at Maddie. “They might have other plans.”

“Nope, we don’t,” Megan offered. “And we’d love to sit with you two. The more the merrier.”

In the dark theater, Abby found herself between Luke and Megan. Megan and Jessica both had shot her enough looks before the lights went out that she knew they were matchmaking. She had no energy to be angry with them. Besides, she liked sitting next to Luke. And maybe help in matchmaking was a good thing.

It was an entertaining disaster film, if a little corny, and it held Abby’s attention, but occasionally brushing Luke’s arm jolted her psyche more than any earthquake could.

When it was over and the lights came up, she knew that finding out exactly how Luke felt about her was nearly as important as finding out the whole truth of the Triple Seven. But would it be as difficult?