My fridge hums—a steady companion in the otherwise quiet of my home. The scent of maple lingers in the air from my breakfast of pancakes and bacon.
“This is your fresh start,” I remind myself. No more running. No more excuses.
If I fail here, I’ll have to face the fact that maybe the problem wasn’t Marco or New York—it’s me.
I take a deep breath and my mind drifts to Saturday night. I chuckle softly at the memory of the handcuffs. Not exactly the way I imagined first seeing the station. My uniform is pressed and hanging on the hook next to my closet. I’m ready—or hoping I am. As ready as a woman can be entering an all-male station after being arrested by one of the officers.
You have nothing to be ashamed of.
Poor Jesse. He’s got to be taking a teasing for his faux pas. If this station is anything like any other group of guys I’ve known, he’s not hearing the end of my arrest anytime soon.
Detainment. I still hear his rumbly, commanding tone and the way it brushed low, right before he produced the cuffs.
My phone pings with a text. I pick it up off the counter.
Lexi:Good luck today!
Alex:Thanks.
I pause and add
Alex:I’ve got to admit, I’m a little nervous.
I barely hit send and my phone rings.
“Don’t be nervous,” Lexi says with a sweetness that momentarily calms me. “Well, be nervous. Of course. It’s your first day. But trust me. You’ll do great. Our town literally has no crime. The police here are good men—and now a woman. Even Jesse.”
The way she sayseven Jesseirks me just the slightest. I don’t know why. If anyone should be upset with him, it’s me. But there’s something about him that got to me—something that makes me want to give him a chance instead of dismissing him. Maybe it’s the unusual combination of sheer confidence and swagger layered with a boyish insecurity—and him fainting. I feel protective of him. I get the feeling he’d hate that. I can’t help it. The way that whole group of women stared him downas if they weren’t surprised in the least that he bungled my arrest … I couldn’t help but stand up for him. Not that he can’t defend himself. I already witnessed his strong and stern side. He doesn’t need me running to his aid. He’s a capable man—aside from mistaking me for a car thief. I can’t shake the images of him, hands on hips, directing me to follow protocol, and then singing along to the carols in his patrol car only minutes later. It seems there’s more to Jesse than the people of this town have acknowledged.
“Alex?” Lexi’s talking and I spaced out.
“Sorry. Yeah?”
“I was saying you’re going to do great.”
“Thanks. I think Marco did a number on my self-confidence.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Well, he’s not here. And I am. Ready to take my place in the department.” After I get a cup of coffee.
“What time do you go in?”
“Two.”
“Any plans before you head in?”
“I thought I’d check out that place you mentioned—Bean There Done That?”
“You’ll love it. I’d join you, but I’m volunteering to help with the Christmas play in Poppy’s class.”
“I’m fine. You don’t have to be my personal escort around town. I’ll find my way.”
“I know you will. Just be prepared to hear whispers ofSanta-gateand your jail debut.”
“Seriously? That was only two nights ago.”
“Girl. Don’t underestimate our ability to spread news. I’m guessing your cocoa cup wasn’t even drained by the time half the town knew about Jesse’s false arrest.”
