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“Where’s my pastry?” I ask Tate, arching a brow.
“Drink your coffee and you can have dessert after.”
Sloane laughs, soft and breathily. “Is he always this bossy?”
“Always,” I say as Tate says, “Never.”
This causes Kaden to cackle with laughter, clearly finding his new coffee friends amusing.
“You working today?” I ask Sloane, casually letting my arm stretch out over the sofa behind her.
“Headed that way after.” She sips on her drink that looks just like mine. When she notices my staring, she holds her mug out. “Cheers to liking the same coffee. Is that a caramel macchiato?”
“Yeah. I’m a virgin.”
Kaden and Tate both erupt with laughter that causes several people—including PMU girl—to glance over at us with curiosity.
“Wait,” I start, feeling fucking stupid right about now.
Sloane shakes her head, smirking, and holds up her hand. “Stop. It’ll only get worse.” She takes another sip of her coffee and motions at me. “How’s the iPad? I keep waiting to get a picture to see your work. Have you even used it yet?”
Used it?
I’ve drawn countless portraits of this perfect woman.
Once, I even beat off to them.
To fucking art.
Shame curdles my stomach. I hate that I’m this way around this woman. I lose all cool and sense of who I am, stumbling over my words and acting like a general idiot.
“I use it a lot,” I assure her, unable to meet her eyes. “I just can’t show you anything yet. Not until I’m better.”
She reaches over and touches my forearm, sending a thrill shooting through me. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Text me soon and show me.”
I find the backbone to meet her stare. She’s being genuine and really wants to see my art. This settles something deep inside of me. I’ll draw her something she’ll love. Something really special.
Kaden burps from his chair, earning everyone’s attention. He’s wearing a chocolate mustache and a goofy grin. I burn the image into my head, knowing exactly what I’ll draw for Sloane.
And then I’ll have an excuse to text her.
All shitty thoughts of Dad and my future and a stupid car vanish.
Everything vanishes whenever Sloane is around.
She’s magical as fuck.
Sloane
Kaden is bored out of his skull and I can’t blame him. I don’t have any other choice, though, but to bring him here with me. The department receptionist, Tara O’Connor, has been nice enough to help me keep an eye on him whenever I’ve had to go out on a call or patrol.
Why won’t Rhiannon call me back?
It’s been a month and she obviously knows her son hasn’t come back home. I’m not exactly adjusting to having a kid in the house, but at least he’s safe, fed, and somewhat happy.
Since they’re my family, I’m not about to involve social services. From experience, I know they’ll just put him back in the apartment with Rhiannon and Lenny, which is clearly not where he wants to be. My gut churns thinking that I may have to visit Mom and Nevaeh to see if they have a way of getting a hold of her.
“Can we do something fun tonight, Aunt Sloane?” Kaden asks, plopping down in the chair across from my desk. “All you do is work and when you get home, we watch boring cop shows.”
