Derek runs a hand over his brushed back hair and gives me an awkward smile. “I owe you an apology.”
I wave him off. “You already explained and I get it, your work isn’t exactly predictable.”
“I know but I should have rearranged our date or at least called but things have gotten kind of complicated.” Derek shakes his head and pulls out one of the chairs. “I really like you, Hazel, but I… well I’ve been in the running for Captain and I just heard today that I got it.”
“Oh.” Surprise lifts my brows. I knew the old Captain was retiring but I hadn’t realized Derek was up for the job. “Wow.”
Derek smiles. “Yeah. It’s all kind of crazy, but yeah.” He runs a hand over his hair again. “The thing is… now’s probably not the best time for me to start a new relationship.”
“Oh,” I say again, because my vocabulary is wide-reaching and descriptive.
Derek stands up. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t fair to you. I’ve been trying to get you to go out with me for years and then when you finally do I turn around and stand you up.” He grimaces. “Full disclosure, I feel like a dick.”
My mouth rounds as I realize he’s nervous because he thinks I’m going to be upset. “Derek, don’t worry about it. I’ve actually started seeing someone, so we’re all good.”
Now, why the fuck did I say that?
“Oh.” Derek runs a hand over his hair and gives me a wry smile. “I probably don’t get to be jealous, do I?”
I cross my arms and lean against the counter. “That would be a strong no.”
“Do I know him?”
Not unless you count being number one on your most wanted list as knowing him.
“Nope.”
Derek holds up his hands. “Sorry. I’ll stop. Are we okay?”
I uncross my arms, feeling kind of bad because Derek’s a good guy and if any of my love instincts were even the slightest bit sane then I’d have fallen for him years ago. And then maybe I’d have a boyfriend I could walk down the street with without worrying he was going to get tackled to the ground by armed officers.
“Yeah, we’re good.”
“Good.”
It occurs to me then that if Derek made Captain, I’m literally talking to someone who has access to the entire police database. Ana may have been a dead end but that doesn’t mean Claren doesn’t have other skeletons hiding in his closet.
“Hey, Derek,” I say, catching him as he turns to leave. “If I were to ask you to dig into someone for me, would you do it without asking any questions?”
Derek kicks the door closed with the heel of his shoe before closing in on me. “That’s a dangerous question, Hazel.”
I push away from the counter. “You’re right, forget I asked.”
Derek sighs. “I take it this is for Wright’sextracurricularactivities?”
I press my lips together because it’s totally not lying if he takes my silence as a yes.
“What’s the name?”
Hope curls in my chest. “No questions?”
His jaw ticks but he nods.
“Christian Claren.”
Derek’s eyes flare. “Jesus Christ, Hazel, are you insane?”
I wince and hold up a finger. “Technically, that’s a question.”
