Page 27 of Flash Freeze

“Yeah.” Flash casually bit into her bread. “She’s still tending bar, living the carefree club life.”

“Oh.” This time, Athena’s inflection fell. She dropped her gaze to her pasta, gathering a bite onto her fork. “What’d you talk about?”

Athena could sense Flash’s swagger even though she sat still. “About how I’ve grown up, and she hasn’t, how I have this totally awesome, hot FBI agent girlfriend, and she’s stuck with the partner of the week.”

Relief and humor washed through Athena. She should have learned by now. Flash loves me, she chose me, and she’s still choosing me.

“In the spirit of full disclosure, I think Detective Bach is perplexed and disappointed that I’ve shown no interest whatsoever in him as a man.”

“Maybe I should swing by your office and set him straight.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Athena’s cheeks felt as warm as her heart. “But thanks all the same.”

“You’re welcome.” Flash caught her gaze, her protective energy on display. “You’re mine.” Something hungry and predatory flickered in her eyes. “And I’m yours. That’s the way it is. You good with that?”

Desire and appreciation stirred in Athena, along with a powerful bond of belonging. It was as if someone had turned up the volume on her emotions, surpassing any decibels she’d ever experienced before. She couldn’t lose Flash. No one had ever made her feel so wanted.

“I’m good with that,” she answered, feeling a bit tipsy. She hadn’t even touched her wine.

Chapter 13

Monday, February 9

The alarm bell blared, cutting Captain O’Riley’s morning briefing short. Flash hadn’t even had time to lead her team through daily calisthenics when they rushed off to respond to a fire alarm at a nearby middle school. They inspected the building before the principal caught the kid who pulled the prank. Captain O’Riley put the fear of God into the boy. After that, a car on fire—no thanks to the haphazard way propane was being transported. The next event was a minor house fire, contained before it could spread beyond the kitchen, and no one sustained significant injuries.

Things quieted down for a few hours, allowing Flash to catch a shower and eat lunch. “It’s only going to get worse when the snowstorm arrives,” Nita said as they chowed down on loaded hoagie sandwiches and chips.

“Don’t remind me,” Flash grumbled, rolling her eyes. “Listen, I’ve been meaning to ask your advice about something.” Flash and Juanita Lopez had been tight since the fire academy, and Nita always had her back.

Her friend’s brows rose, a smirk crossing her lips. “I say, do it.”

Flash let out a nervous laugh. “Do what? You haven’t even heard my question yet.”

“Look, girl,” Nita drawled. “You’ve been strutting around with a silly grin and your head in the clouds, and I mean long before you got your lieutenant’s bugles. A blind cow can see how head over heels you are about Athena, and you’ve a right to be. She’s all that and more.”

“Shhhh.” Flash leaned in closer. “That’s why I need to get the perfect Valentine’s gift for her. It should be special, unique, and say ‘you’re my everything’ without being over-the-top sappy. You know? So, what do you suggest?”

“Oh, that’s all?” Nita huffed out a breath and lifted her sandwich. “I thought you were finally going to ask her to move in with you, or propose marriage, or something interesting.” She bit in.

Flash propped her arms on the table and glowered. “How can I ask Athena to move in with me? She deserves some place classier, more elegant, and in a better part of town. I’ve looked at apartments that lie between our two workplaces, but they’re all so cookie-cutter, lacking pizazz. I’ll worry about that later. Right now, I just need sincere, non-hokey gift ideas.”

“Honey, does she cringe when she walks into your loft? Does she wear rubber gloves and bring her own linens?”

“No,” Flash gawked. “Of course not.”

Nita shook her head. “All right, gift ideas. First suggestion: don’t spend a month’s salary on it. She’s already got money. What she’ll love is something with sentimental value. You know you’ve left this to the last minute, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Flash sighed, dropping her chin. “But I’ve been trying to come up with something since the New Year, and then there was the lieutenant’s test and Athena’s trip to Laredo.”

“Your Christmas gift was priceless,” Nita said. “I wish some sexy hunk would’ve taken me out to the desert at night with a blanket and picnic basket to watch the Ursid Meteor Shower. Talk about romantic. Hey, you never told me if the two of you, you know …” Nita blushed as she lifted a familiar gaze to Flash, their eyes meeting.

Flash suppressed the big grin that threatened to break free. “And I never will. Some moments deserve a little mystery.”

The alarm blasted as Flash popped the last bite of her hoagie into her mouth. “Engine Eight, Ambulance Eight, Squad Eight, single-car accident on South Fannin. Electrical pole and power lines down with fire hazard. Please respond.”

Flash bolted from her seat. “Come on, guys, let’s hustle! Jackson.” She scanned the bay for the tall Black leader of the rescue squad.

“Yep,” he answered, stepping into his boots and gear pants. He pulled up his suspenders. “Captain O’Riley’s out for lunch with the fire marshal.”