Page 78 of Flash Freeze

“That’s fair.”

Flash filled water glasses and pulled two beers from the refrigerator. “We finished the wine bottle, and I haven’t been shopping since the winter storm.”

Athena broke the quesadilla in half and added their wrapped tacos to the plates. “Oh? You mean you didn’t include wine, something that never goes bad and improves with age, to your end-of-the-world stockpiles?”

“Clearly an oversight that needs correcting.” Flash sat beside Athena and reveled in her first spicy bite. “You really know the way to a woman’s heart.”

Athena half smirked. “I should hope so.”

They chatted about the case, some of Flash’s wilder calls, and Snuffles’ first experience with snow. After swallowing her last mouthful and washing it down with water, Athena’s demeanor changed. Her shoulders tensed, her mouth drew in, and her brows lowered. She licked her lips and reached for her purse.

“I didn’t know what to get you,” she admitted. She removed an envelope. “I worry about not being able to keep up with you, but I also don’t want to hold you back. So often, our dates are securely in my comfort zone, and I realize that’s not fair.”

“Hey, Athena.” Flash laid a hand over Athena’s, pushing love and support through the connection. “It’s all right. I don’t expect you to go skydiving with me or anything crazy like that.”

“Maybe we can work up to it,” Athena said, half-jokingly. “Always being in control and only engaging in activities in which I excel not only holds you back, but has been limiting my growth as well. I think we’ve grown close enough that I’m not afraid of making a fool of myself in front of you. Well, struggling with that still, but I need to get over it.” She passed the envelope to Flash, who opened it.

Peeking inside, her face lit with wonder. “Athena! Summit Zone. Really? Are you sure? I’ve been wanting to go check it out. Two tickets?” Flash threw her arms around Athena, squeezing her tight and showering her with kisses.

“They have a beginner wall.” Athena’s voice was tight with embarrassment. She rolled her eyes at herself.

“I am so proud of you!” Flash gushed. “You do love me! This is a giant leap out of your comfort zone. Don’t worry. If anyone makes fun of you, I’ll deck ‘em.”

Athena let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Please don’t. I’ll be fine as long as you don’t laugh.”

Flash grabbed Athena’s shoulders and locked gazes with her. In all seriousness, she vowed, “I would never laugh at you for trying something new. I’m your biggest cheerleader, and there’s no challenge you can’t rise to. With a little practice and patience, you can master anything, Athena Bouvier.”

Athena’s gaze grew misty. “You really mean that.”

“I do.” Flash sealed the promise with a kiss.

A sense of awe settled over Athena at Flash’s declaration. She’d been relieved by Flash’s honest reaction to how much she liked the gift. But it was her unwavering faith in Athena that took her breath away. Flash Cash, the woman who really could do anything, believed Athena could too. After twenty-plus years of measuring people’s words and body language, of separating truth from lies, it was obvious Flash meant what she said.

“My turn.” Flash straightened in her seat. She pressed her lips together, hands clasped in her lap, and drew a steadying breath. “You are a detective, among possessing other skills. So, I thought a little game might be fun. I couldn’t go shopping, and if you think it’s lame, well, I’ll do better for St. Patrick’s Day.”

Athena cocked her head with an inquisitive expression. Distracted by Flash’s “mystery,” she absently pulled the clip from her hair, letting it spill around her shoulders. Flash left the table and came back with a scuffed brown leather binder that looked like it had seen plenty of use. She laid it on the table in front of Athena. Letters glued to the cover read, “Primary Case File.”

Curious, Athena opened to the first page and read aloud. “Subject: Athena Bouvier.” Her official data appeared in a typed box beneath a headshot of Athena that consumed most of the page. She recognized it as the one posted on the Houston FBI website. “OK,” she mused. “So I’m the subject of this investigation. What exactly am I accused of?”

“You’ll see. Keep going.”

Athena could feel Flash’s nervous energy flow off her in waves as she hovered. She turned the page.

“Exhibit One: First kiss.” Athena twisted over her shoulder. “Sit down, please. I can’t concentrate. I might have to frame a defense on the fly.” To her relief, Flash plopped back into her chair at the table. Athena returned her attention to the carefully curated scrapbook, where she spied a photo of Firehouse Eight’s common room.

“The subject initiated the first kiss with the victim on a July Sunday afternoon in Station Eight’s common room. Other people occupied the space, constituting a risky move on the subject’s part. The victim recalls this vividly, as it occurred on the worst day of her life.”

Athena swallowed, choking back tears, moved by the memory of that day. She continued to read. “The unsolicited act snapped the victim out of a downward spiral, allowing her to regain a measure of self-control.”

The comforting warmth of Flash’s fingers brushing across Athena’s back grounded her, and she moved to the next page.

“Exhibit Two: First Night at the Mansion.” Prominently displayed was a picture of her Piney Point Village house. A smile tugged at Athena’s lips, and she glanced at Flash. “It’s not a mansion.”

“Is so,” Flash declared, jutting her chin up.

Athena shook her head and returned her attention to the page, battling to hold in her swelling emotions. “The subject whisked the victim off to a secret, secure location: her secondary residence. There she tenderly cared for the victim and her dog. Furthermore, she stole into the guest bedroom and held her through the night, ensuring every aspect of her remained safe.”

Running a knuckle under her eye, Athena turned the page. “Exhibit Three.” She smirked at Flash with fake bravado. “How many of these exhibits do you have?”