Chapter Six
Lila
The semi rumbled over the railroad tracks, a few fluffy, white feathers drifting from the now-empty crates loading down its trailer.
With the lunch rush in full swing, the parking lots at the diner and the new fast food place overflowed with vehicles.
A line stretched from the window at the small food truck tucked into the corner of the used car lot across from the bakery.
And the pizza place next to the bank was–
A familiar patrol car sat backed into a spot next to the street at the pizza joint.
Lowkey anticipation fluttered in my belly, and I flicked on my blinker, the truck rumbling on ahead as I turned into the parking lot.
I could grab a quick bite, maybe see his handsome face.
Our in-person connection had been minimal this week, and I’d had to settle for texts and video calls.
I missed him.
That was kind of new. I’d had exclusive partners, well, boyfriends, before, but they did their thing, I did mine, and we both knew the relationship was for practice, not forever.
Dan was different.
I wanted to be where he was. Not orbiting him – making a man the center of everything felt unsafe – but orbiting a life together, on the same trajectory.
I could almost see that future with him, hazy but there.
He could be forever. Although that level of commitment frightened me – forever was a long time and we were young – the idea made me giddy, too, if I looked at it too long.
Like ziplining over the river in Columbus, rushing over the rapids, knowing you were tethered safely so you could enjoy the thrill.
Maybe the safety lay in knowing we weren’t forever.
I snagged a spot next to this patrol car and reached for my phone to text him. Before I finished, the restaurant door swung open, and he emerged into the sharp winter sunlight. I smiled, a laugh bubbling in my throat. Oh, I loved seeing him.
Perfect.
Grabbing my clutch, I pushed the door open. I might not get to eat with him, but I could see him a second.
He keyed his mic at his shoulder, leaning his head to talk into it while he walked. He hadn’t spotted me yet, so I soaked in the chance to watch him move, tall and authoritative and steady.
The restaurant door opened once more.
Nicole stepped onto the sidewalk, scanning the area.
Looking for him.
A frown pulled at my brow. They weren’t together, right?
Releasing the microphone, he looked up, gaze falling on me. A wide grin curved his mouth, and even yards away, I saw his eyes light up with surprised welcome. He quicked his steps, lengthening his stride, so he reached me faster.
“Hey.” He leaned in, then checked himself, glancing around with a grimace. “I want to kiss you, but I’m in uniform.”
“I get it.” Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Nicole mincing our way. My face must have spoken for me because he glanced back before muttering a curse. “You didn’t have lunch with her.”
“What? No.” His mouth thinned to a taut line. “She’s here with her cousin.”
Another blonde exited the pizza place and paused, watching us. A chill trickled along my spine at the hint of cold amusement in her expression as Nicole hurried toward us.
“Danny . . . um, Dan.” With a tight, fake smile, she flicked a glance over me, head to toe. “Hey.”
I didn’t smile. “Hello.”
She touched his forearm, and stiffening, he took a step away, toward me. Pretending not to notice, she fixed him with a beseeching look. “You’re coming over after work, right?”
“Told you I’d check the perimeter.” He clenched his teeth, jaw tight, a muscle flicking in his cheek.
“Okay.” Her voice softened to match her gaze while she stared up at him. Lord, I was going to hurl. She was so obvious. “Thank you.”
“Can you excuse us?” I gestured between my shoulder and Dan’s. “We’re having a conversation.”
“Oh.” Fury sizzled in the look she slid over me, but what could she do? Stake a claim on him that she didn’t have? “Bye, y’all.”
I waited until she was almost to her cousin’s car.
“You’re checking her perimeter?” Disdain chilled my voice – even I could hear how cool the words were.
“Don’t be like that. Her ex is spooking her.” He shrugged, an uncomfortable roll of his broad shoulders. His badge and nameplate glimmered in the sun. “Told her I’d check the yard when I got home every day. And I put in a request for increased patrols.”
My mouth twitched, annoyance nibbling at my nerves. “She could file a complaint.”
“She could.” He grimaced, hooking his thumbs in his duty belt. “Sometimes vics don’t want to.”
I stood there, turning the complications over in my head. She wanted him and was blatantly manipulative. But the threat could be real. Her ex might be someone she needed to fear. Not believing another woman would be wrong simply because I didn’t like her.
And public safety was his job.
At the end of the day, I was his priority.
Plus, he seemed aware of his machinations now.
With a sigh, I forced my shoulders to relax away from my ears. “I trust you to keep a professional boundary with her.”
Relief lightened his face, and his whole body shifted, some of the tension draining away. He leaned in once more, gaze on my lips, before he checked the movement again. “Thank you, baby.”
I flicked a glance at the restaurant and pouted. “I hate I don’t get to have lunch with you.”
“I’ll make it up to you.” He tapped his fingers against his duty belt, the leather creaking. “I’ll come over and cook for you tonight.”
If he came over, he’d be doing more than cooking. I gave into a slow smile. “Bring a clean uniform. You can stay the night.”
“Keep it up and you’re going to get me in trouble.” His voice lowered, a deep, sexy rumble of a murmur. “Want to kiss you right here.”
His radio blipped, the dispatcher asking his location and availability. Regret flickered over his features.
“I’ve got to go.” He reached for the mic, holding my gaze a moment, eyes burning with anticipation. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I watched him walk away, enjoying the way he moved, desire unfolding low in my belly as all the possibilities tonight held flitted through my mind.
Awareness filtered in, the sensation of eyes on me.
Nicole hadn’t left yet, sitting in the passenger seat of her cousin’s car, both of them watching me.
Hitching my chin higher, I met her gaze and held it long enough to remind her that she wasn’t in charge here.
Finally, I turned to my car and slid into the driver’s seat, feeling their icy stares until I pulled out of the lot and Coney’s sparse traffic swallowed me up.