Page 40 of Falling for Her

“I think I should talk to him about maybe bending the rules.”

“No skin off my back. Except . . . if he gets hurt, am I allowed to go in there? Or is it a fend-for-yourself type of situation? Like when you throw a kid in the water, and it’s sink or swim?”

“Finley . . .” I warn. She laughs, and it makes me fucking smile.

“Lincoln,” she sings out my name. This morning when she came to sit with me, I knew I hurt her feelings by not telling her about the job. But I don’t want to say something that could put her in harm’s way.

“Where is Asa now?” I ask her.

“On the couch. We’re going to have dinner and then . . .” Her voice trails. “I said I would make a pillow and blanket fort with him,” she says softly. “Please don’t say no.” I can hear her walking on her end. “We promise we will clean it up, it’s just that I’ve never had a fort and he described it and, well, it sounds like the coolest thing.”

“You’ve never made a blanket fort?” I ask her. Now I want to ask her more about her life, but I know I shouldn’t blur those lines.

“No. What time are you going to be home? I want everything cleaned up before you get here. You’re not going to be a big buzzkill and tell us to tear it down.”

“I have no idea what time I’m going to be home,” I admit.

“Oh, are you on a stakeout?” Her voice goes high. “Like Undercover Boss?”

“Jesus.” I shake my head. “You need to stop watching television.” She laughs. “How is your hand?”

“Throbbing a bit and stinging, but Collins says that’s normal. So it’s all good.”

“Okay, I have to go.” Johnson is coming outside. “I’ll call you later.”

“10-4.” I can’t help but burst out laughing as she disconnects.

“Hey, we just got a call,” Johnson reports. “It’s going to be tonight between nine and ten.”

“I thought the middle of the day was too good to be true.”

She smiles at me. “If you want, we could go out and grab something to eat.”

“What is everyone else doing?” I ask, looking behind her to the door, hoping one of the guys comes out and saves me from this.

“Not sure. A couple of the guys are going to head home and relax and then come back.” She starts walking toward her car. “You sure you don’t want to come with me?”

“I think I’m good, but thanks.” I head inside, where Martinez is rocking back and forth in his chair. “Are you not going home?”

He shakes his head. “If I go home, I might not come back.”

I laugh and grab a seat to join him in more waiting.

We’re talking about fatherhood when my phone beeps with a text.

Finley:

Question, before I start the fort. Do I have to wash all the blankets after?

I smile.

Me:

If I tell you yes, does that mean you won’t do the fort?

Finley:

It will seriously hinder the experience if I think about washing a million blankets.