Chapter 35
Flash slept in on Saturday morning, directing Snuffles to use her piddle pad when she tried to roust her at their regular time.
The past few days had been grueling, and she still needed to process them.
At least the sun had returned, turning symbols of winter into glittery, dancing sparkles on frosty surfaces.
Icicles melted and refroze, elongating their mini stalactite-like fingers.
After Snuffles’ walk, Flash went through an indoor workout of push-ups, squats, burpees, and chin-ups on a bar she hung in a doorway. She poured cereal and relaxed in front of the TV for a while. Still no word from Athena.
“I hope she’ll like the gift idea we came up with,” she said to Snuffles. The pup licked her nose approvingly, and Flash sank her fingers into Snuffles’ freshly trimmed coat, rubbing her all over and stroking her lovingly. It probably provided Flash more comfort than it did the dog.
Thinking about it, she wasn’t so much angry with Assistant Chief Velasquez as disappointed. Former assistant chief now, she supposed. I’ll be sure to check in with her, she promised herself.
She called Nita, and they talked for an hour. Things had been so hectic at the station that they’d barely had time to say “hi.”
“I don’t get why everyone had to go bat-shit crazy,” Flash complained to her friend. “It’s just a little snow.”
“Snow?” Nita teased. “What’s that? Oh my God—you mean I have to wear a coat?”
They both laughed. “Maybe if the news and weather programs hadn’t made it sound like the apocalypse was coming, people wouldn’t have panicked,” Flash said. “Plus, if you’re just always prepared, you don’t have to fight over the last roll of toilet paper.”
“For sure,” Nita agreed. “Hey, is Agent Smokin’ Hot going to make it to your Valentine’s plans, and are you going to suck it up and ask her to move in with you?”
Flash stretched out on the couch, laying her head on a throw pillow.
“I’m not sure—on both counts. She’s closing in on the perp from the chemical plant explosion and fire from last Friday.
Nita, what if I ask and she says no? I mean, she’s lived by herself for twenty years or more.
It’s one thing to come over when she feels like it and another to be, I don’t know, trapped? ”
“Trapped?” Nita sucked in a dramatic breath. “Locked in with that adorable dog and a smart, hot, sexy firefighter who can keep the flames ablaze all night long? The horror! She should run for the hills.”
“Very funny,” Flash delivered dryly. “Besides me being me, what do I have to offer? I have a dangerous job with long hours that keep me away several nights a week, can barely scrape by financially, and am still trying to work out the kinks of my promotion. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, quick to leap into joy or flare into anger. She’s so together. ”
“You aren’t proposing marriage,” Nita said glibly. “Are you?”
“Lord, no. One thing at a time. That might not even be something she wants, but I do love her and miss her when she’s not here. We don’t get enough time together.”
“You know, she could be missing you too,” Nita said, “lying awake at night debating asking you to move in with her.”
“Nah.” Flash dismissed the thought. “Athena is direct and decisive. When she wants something, she gets it.”
“I don’t know,” Nita mused. “I think in a way you intimidate her. You’ve seen her vulnerable. I doubt anyone else has. Just buck up and ask … or don’t, but don’t complain to me. ‘Oh, Nita, what’s wrong with me? I chickened out. I’m such a coward,’” she mocked. “’How can anyone respect me?’”
“Oh, shut up!” Flash laughed but took Nita’s advice to heart. If the moment presented itself, she’d take the plunge, be the vulnerable one, and ask the life-changing question. No one was going to accuse Lieutenant Firefighter Flash Cash of lacking courage.
After ending the therapeutic phone call, she took out her favorite jeans and a black graphic button-up shirt.
The asymmetrical orange and red swirls looked like flames to Flash.
Then she roamed about the loft, collecting and putting into place the remaining pieces of her gift, smiling at each one and the memory they evoked.
She hadn’t had time to shop—even online—so she had to get creative.
It would either be a resounding success or a dismal failure.
Either would be moot if Athena never made it.
With nothing left to do but wait, Flash peeled her last banana, sat down at her computer, and brought up an adventure role-playing game to lose herself in. Snuffles curled up at her feet.
She paused the game mid-battle when a message notification beeped on her phone. Her breath caught in her throat as she clicked on it.
It took a while, but we nailed him. Bach is dropping me off at your place. Hope it’s OK if I stay until Monday.
TERRIFIC! ???? Relief washed over Flash.
I’ll bring dinner. I know a place that’s open.
Beaming, Flash typed, Terrific again!
Can’t wait to see you! came Athena’s next words.
Quit texting and get here already. I’m starving for a taste of you.
A laughing face was the last message to come through. “Come on, Snuffles!” Flash sprang from her comfy, rolling gaming chair and slipped her feet into her rubber boots. “Time for your walk, and then Athena’s coming. Isn’t that exciting?”
“Arf!” The black-and-white Havanese dashed to the door, leaping for joy, tail wagging, ears flopping.
“Arf, arf!” Flash knew she was saying, “Hurry up, Mommy. I want to go outside and play in the snow. Then Athena will come and love on me. She sneaks me bites of people food when you aren’t looking.
I just love her!” At least that’s what Flash imagined she was saying.
“I’m coming.” She hooked on the leash, snagged a coat, and they were off for a quick adventure. It would take Athena at least twenty minutes from the FBI building—thirty or more with a stop for takeout. Plenty of time for a pleasant walk.
When she and Snuffles returned, Flash did a quick tidy, put on soft romantic music, and lit a scented candle for atmosphere.
The door opened, and her gorgeous, sexy agent strolled in, still wearing a power dress and heels.
The image was breathtaking: Athena’s grace and poise, the way she held her head, her quiet confidence.
Then the aroma wafted through the paper bag, and Flash’s mouth watered for a different reason.
“You brought Taco Loco!” she blurted out. “I love their food, but they almost never come to this side of town.”
Rather than run, Flash swayed across the room, her eyes never straying from their target. Athena smiled. “I’m glad you approve.” She set the bag and her purse on the table and slipped out of her coat.
Flash took it, looped it over a hook, and gathered Athena into her arms. Her kiss was deep, hungry, a teasing appetizer for what she had in mind. “Congratulations.” Flash beamed at her, pride and pleasure warming her from within.
“Thank you.” The corners of Athena’s mouth twitched as her gaze raked over Flash. “I don’t think I’ve seen this unique shirt before. A metaphor for how hot tonight will go?”
Flash shot her a grin. “You know it!”
“Arf, arf!” Insistent as always, Snuffles pawed at Athena’s leg like an attention-starved recluse seeing a human for the first time in decades.
Athena stepped back and scooped up the wiggling dog.
“I didn’t forget you, Snuffles.” The smoking hot ice bitch from hell, who, when they’d first met, could barely tolerate being in the same room with the puppy, hugged her close, showering her with love and affection. Unfiltered warmth filled her soft eyes.
“So, do you want to eat first, or …?” Flash studied Athena for an honest response.
She set Snuffles down and picked up the bag. “Why don’t we eat and talk? And I have a present for you.”
An electric jolt shot through Flash as she wondered what it might be. Her lips parted, and she arched an eyebrow. “And I have a gift for you.” Seeing delight on Athena’s face, she added, “But mine needs to wait until we’re done eating.”
“That’s fair.”
Flash filled water glasses and pulled two beers from the refrigerator. “We finished the wine bottle, and I haven’t been shopping since the winter storm.”
Athena broke the quesadilla in half and added their wrapped tacos to the plates. “Oh? You mean you didn’t include wine, something that never goes bad and improves with age, to your end-of-the-world stockpiles?”
“Clearly an oversight that needs correcting.” Flash sat beside Athena and reveled in her first spicy bite. “You really know the way to a woman’s heart.”
Athena half smirked. “I should hope so.”
They chatted about the case, some of Flash’s wilder calls, and Snuffles’ first experience with snow.
After swallowing her last mouthful and washing it down with water, Athena’s demeanor changed.
Her shoulders tensed, her mouth drew in, and her brows lowered.
She licked her lips and reached for her purse.
“I didn’t know what to get you,” she admitted. She removed an envelope. “I worry about not being able to keep up with you, but I also don’t want to hold you back. So often, our dates are securely in my comfort zone, and I realize that’s not fair.”
“Hey, Athena.” Flash laid a hand over Athena’s, pushing love and support through the connection. “It’s all right. I don’t expect you to go skydiving with me or anything crazy like that.”
“Maybe we can work up to it,” Athena said, half-jokingly.
“Always being in control and only engaging in activities in which I excel not only holds you back, but has been limiting my growth as well. I think we’ve grown close enough that I’m not afraid of making a fool of myself in front of you.
Well, struggling with that still, but I need to get over it.
” She passed the envelope to Flash, who opened it.