Page 58 of Capture My Heart

“Relax. Mom already met her. Promise me you won’t interrogate her.”

“No promises.”

Tommy pointed at her with his thumb. “Trey, if you can help reel her in tonight, I’ll owe you.”

“You give me too much credit, but I’ll try.”

Amy shot Trey a death glare but addressed Tommy. “Fine, I’ll be nice.”

This should be one interesting dinner.

Trey knocked on Amy’s door. A bouquet of flowers in his arms and a six pack of beer in the other.

Amy opened the door, and his breath clogged in his lungs. The denim shorts and print tank top weren’t anything special by themselves, but on Amy… Wow. She looked great in everything, even her boxy uniform. He’s never thought a tactical vest would be featured in his dreams until now.

“Daisies, my favorite. But Mom likes hard cider.” She stepped back and let him in.

“Good thing the beer is for you, and the flowers for her.” He handed her the brew.

“Well, then you're in luck. This is my favorite.”

He remembered she ordered it at the bar the night of the softball game. “Do we need to bring anything?”

“Nope, my mom likes to prepare the whole meal. She won’t even let me bring wine.”

“An independent woman, now I know where you get it.” He liked her mom already.

“She had to be. She was married to a cop. You know our hours suck, not to mention the stress that goes along with it.”

Oh, he knew. He learned the hard way not all women could hack the cop life. “Shall we go?”

She nodded and followed him out, locking the new deadbolt behind her.

The car ride was short. They talked of benign things. The softball game this week against the Ace Hardware team, her search for the perfect couch, and Stinky.

“So, how did you end up with a skunk for a pet?”

“I didn’t search Facebook Marketplace for him if that’s what you were thinking.”

“Okay, let me guess.” She tapped her finger to her lips.

He almost swerved. The urge to taste that mouth again was strong. An animal-in-heat strong. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. All his focus pinpointed on the road. No thinking about her lush lips, Fenley. Just drive the car.

“Okay, I’m guessing they don’t have them in pet stores.”

“None I’ve seen.”

“Huh, did you find him alongside the road?”

“Close.”

“Okay, I give up. How did you end up with Stinky?”

“It’s a sad story. His mom and her three babies waddled out in front of my car.”

Her sharp intake of breath echoed in the vehicle. “You killed his mommy?”

“No, I swerved. But the car coming the other way wasn’t so lucky. Momma didn’t make it, but her three babies went to a wildlife vet.”