I get situated into the chair. “Some of the guys were giving me a tour around the department, so I thought I’d stop by.”
He peers warily out toward the station. “I hope they were on their best behavior.”
“They were eager to show me around,” I say before giving him a smile. “Might be a good idea to balance the testosterone-fest out there, though.”
Dragging his hand through his hair, he grimaces. “Believe me, I’m working on it. In fact, I’m hiring one of my lieutenants from my last department for the captain’s position. Once she gets here, she, Liam, and I will be doing a serious review and start making changes.”
“Hiring a woman right off the bat instead of promoting someone, that’s a bold first move.” I lean back in the chair, relaxing a little.
“The last guy wasn’t exactly a progressive thinker, and we have a lot of catching up to do. Fiona is a natural leader. She loves a challenge, change, and fucking shit up.”
“She sounds like my kind of woman.” I’m restless to get this over with, and now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I should get on to the rest of my business.
“Are you going to casino night on Saturday?” Cole asks, changing the subject.
Shit. Did I wait too long?
My face must reveal my internal thought, because he quickly says, “Fiona will be there. I’d like to introduce you.”
Instant relief floods my body. “Oh! I will be there. I somehow got roped into not only going, but participating in decorations.”
He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Let me guess, Mary Beth Crowley.”
“That’s the one. I can’t complain too much. Sophie’s going, and I’m sure it will be a good way to integrate myself into the community.”
“Then it’s not too much of a hardship.”
“I’ll survive.” I jerk my thumb out to the station house. “Since Fiona will be refereeing dick-swinging contests all the time, I’ll make sure she’s introduced to someone with ovaries so she’s not completely scared away.”
He throws back his head and roars with laughter. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
Silence falls between us, and I nibble on my bottom lip, trying to think of a good transition. It seems like the perfect time. I’ve run out of things to keep me here. “So, listen… I might have?—”
Cole holds up his hands, cutting me off. “Hey, it’s okay. I get it. I thought something might be up when Charlie—a guy who liked me just fine until you showed up—was out for blood at our weekly fire and police bonding pickup game last week.” Cole flashes me a smile before clearing his throat. “I wasn’t sure where you stood. But Friday night, I saw which way the wind was blowing.”
“I’m sorry.” I toy with the edge of my iPad case. “I mean, I’m not suggesting you feel bad, but I don’t know, I felt like I should at least apologize or offer an explanation.”
“Neither is necessary.” He chuckles, good-natured and affable. “It was a little harmless flirting that never got very far.”
He’s being such a great guy about this, I feel like I need to say something complimentary. “Well, if it’s any consolation, you’re exactly my type.”
He cocks a grin. “So you’re saying if you’d met me first instead of Charlie, you’d be having this conversation with him?”
I think of Charlie, with his intent stare and hidden secrets. The calm, steady way he handles things. How he looks at me as if he wants to crawl into every corner of my mind. The way it feels like I’ve been branded by him.
The way?—
Fingers snap in front of my face, and I blink, flushing when I realize Cole is watching me and I’ve zoned out. An actual flush warms my cheeks. “Oops.”
“Ah, I see. So, in all universes, it’s Charlie.”
My shoulder slumps a little. “Yeah, that seems to be the case.”
Oh no! I have feelings. Like, serious, big feelings.
It’s four thirty, and I’m waiting for Charlie to be done for the day. He drove me here and is coming for dinner tonight. He wanted to take me to his house, but I told him I needed to make sure Hailey eats. I also invited Ryder and Sophie since they are still in temporary housing while their new house is being built.
After keeping my distance all last week, I’ve missed them, and Hailey will be less likely to fight me with our big brother there for backup.
