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And it took that entire time for Zara to work up the courage to ask the question burning in her mind. Maybe he hadn’t talked to her about his dream of being a detective yet because he felt like a failure or something. She didn’t want to bring it up if it was a sore spot. But maybe it wasn’t even his dream anymore, and he didn’t care. She wouldn’t know unless she asked.

“I have a question for you. But I have no idea if this is out of bounds at all.”

“I don’t know what you could ask that would be.”

She faced him so she could gauge his reaction. “Why haven’t you become a detective?”

He drew in a sharp breath but was silent. Pressing his lips together, he stared straight ahead.

She shouldn’t have asked, at least not right now.

The silence lingered for another moment before he finally said, “I just decided not to.” The tone of his voice was curt and cold.

There was more to it. And he did not want to talk about it. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. What made you ask that?”

“AJ said it was your dream.”

“It had been at one time. But whatever. Wanna go get a security system for your apartment?”

And that subject was done. Maybe one day he’d tell her, but today was definitely not going to be that day.

Chapter Eight

Will pulled his squad car away from the station on Tuesday, the first of his four days on swing shift. Four days had passed since Zara’s apartment had been broken into, and three days since she’d asked him about not being a detective. He’d shut down that conversation way faster than he should have, and she hadn’t brought it up since, even though they spent much of the last three days together. He hadn’t brought it up either.

It was stupid though. Not finishing college had been less of a deliberate choice and more the result of his slacking off. It wasn’t that he wasn’t a hard worker though. But he didn’t want Zara to think that of him. Enough people spent their lives disappointed in his lack of perseverance. He didn’t want to add her to the list.

Plus, he absolutely loved being a uniformed officer. That’s why he hadn’t given much consideration to trying to finish his college degree. He’d started working and loved the job, so why bother finishing college?

With concerted effort, Will shifted his mind to different subjects as he patrolled the city. A half hour later, he headed to the high school. He’d been assigned traffic duty for school dismissal.

Other than a few student drivers that he threatened to ticket for their near-reckless driving, it was an easy duty.

Around five, Zara reported in that she was going to the Garden Park Community to walk around and interact with the residents. That was the trailer park where they’d responded to the domestic call last week.

He didn’t doubt Zara’s ability to take care of herself, but a second officer around that neighborhood was always a good idea. And maybe a more familiar face like his would be helpful. He had made good connections with a few of the residents over the years.

He reported in that he would join her.

Less than ten minutes later, he pulled into a parking spot next to Zara’s squad car by the playground at the front of the community.

She waved from where she was standing by a picnic table talking to a couple of young moms who were watching their children play on the equipment.

One of the moms waved. “Well, if it ain’t Officer Cooper.”

“Hey, Rita. How’s Ron?”

“He’s good. Loving that job you helped him find. Thanks again.”

“I’m so glad.”

Zara shot Will a giant smile.

They chatted with the moms and passed out stickers. A few kids on skateboards came over and, even though they were in their teens, asked if they could have stickers too. Will gladly handed them each a sticker.

As he chatted with the teens about what they were planning for the day, a stout woman with a rolling pin in her hand charged toward the playground. Will rested his hand on his Taser.