A couple of times he stumbled up the stairs, but he finally reached his apartment. He fumbled with the keys and tried to get them in the right keyhole, since he could see two of them. Cursing again, he slammed his fist against the door.
“Kurt Hamill! For goodness sake, will you stop?” Brittany grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the door. “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to get in my apartment. What does it look like I’m doing?”
She rolled her eyes. “It looks like you’re trying to break into your neighbor’s apartment, instead.”
She looked back at the door he’d just tried to enter. His fifty-year-old neighbor peeked out, his face white with worry. Brittany forced a laugh. “Please forgive Kurt. He’s been drinking.” Mr. Kirkpatrick nodded and closed the door.
Brittany looked back at him and held out her hand. “Give me the keys.”
If he wasn’t so sloshed, maybe he’d feel embarrassed. He was sure it would come tomorrow, along with a huge headache, of course. He gave her the keys and she opened his door. Walking ahead of her, he wearily went inside.
As he made his way to the couch, he glanced over his shoulder as she was shutting the door. “Why are you still here?” He practically fell on the piece of furniture.
“Because our conversation is not over.” She sat beside him, staring deep into his eyes.
“Actually, it is. Tomorrow, all of this will have just been a nightmare for me.”
“Kurt.” She took both of his hands. “Do you really feel that way about me, or is that just the liquor talking?”
He must have heard wrong, because he could have sworn her voice was softer. He blinked several times, trying to make his vision clear. Why was she looking at him with so much tenderness in her eyes?
“I really feel that way. The liquor is helping me to get it off my chest, since it’s been there since you first entered our precinct.”
“Why haven’t you said anything before now?”
“Because I didn’t realize it until we became partners, and by then, it was too late.”
Smiling, she lay back against the couch, keeping her gaze on him. “The truth is, I had those feeling for you, too. I didn’t want to say anything because I enjoyed being your partner. I didn’t want to ruin that.”
The alcohol must be disturbing his hearing, because he for sure didn’t hear her correctly. “You…you were in love with me?”
Shyly, she shrugged. “I don’t know if what I felt was love, but I definitely had a crush on you.”
He turned toward her and pulled her in his arms. “Had? Are you saying you don’t feel that way about me now?”
Brittany’s expression wavered, and he wasn’t sure if she was sad or scared. Maybe both. She also appeared hesitant to answer.
“Kurt, I…don’t know.”
“Shh, don’t say that,” he whispered as he lowered his mouth to hers. She didn’t pull away, but allowed him to kiss her. The kiss was soft, and sweet.Sweet?No, he didn’t want sweet! As he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss, she pushed him away.
“Kurt, this isn’t right.”
“Yes, it is. I can make it right.” He tried to bring her back, but she rose from the couch, shaking her head.
“Kurt, when I kiss you, I don’t want to taste alcohol. Sorry, but it’s not the right time to kiss you.”
Relief flooded through him, knowing it was just the beer that repelled her. “All right. Then, um…I’ll see you tomorrow?”
She smiled at him before moving to the door. “Well, if you can see through that headache, sure, I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”
He chuckled and relaxed into the couch as she walked out and shut the door. His heart soared with happiness. Perhaps there was a chance to make Brittany love him for more than a partner.
