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“Will, I’m afraid this confirms my initial diagnosis,” the doctor said. He was looking over the charts and notes from my physical therapist. A month ago, the doctor made the unpleasant discovery that a nerve in my hand had been damaged in the accident. It was a small enough issue that it didn’t interfere with regular daily activities, but a trip to the shooting range and a physical therapist confirmed that I wouldn’t be able to properly fire a gun again—which meant I couldn’t keep my badge.
“I was sure it would. The therapy didn’t help much.”
Paige was sitting by my side in the doctor’s sterile office. He prescribed more physical therapy,
but made it clear that a 100 percent recovery wasn’t possible.
When Paige and I exited the clinic, we strolled through the small green space surrounding it.
We came across a bench, and I sat on it, pulling Paige straight into my lap. She let out a small sound of surprise before lacing one arm around my neck. She rested the other on my chest. Correction. Felt up my chest.
“What are you doing?” I inquired.
“You’re pulling me in your lap to feel up my ass. I’m taking advantage and touching your chest. I’d say it’s a fair deal.” She grinned. I knew what she was doing: cheering me up. It was working.
“I’m going to talk to everyone at the station today and confirm that I’m leaving.”
My superiors had explained my options, but if I had to face such a big change, I wanted to do it on my own terms.
“Hmmm... I’m only detecting a small frown.” She traced a line on my forehead. “This requires neither an ambush nor an intervention.”
“What?”
“Your sisters asked me to report.” She spoke nonchalantly, even as she squirmed in my lap. “But there’s nothing to report. Tell the truth. Are you okay, or is this blasé reaction because I’m distracting you with all this squirming?”
“A mix of both.” I gave in to her game. “Mostly, I’m just looking forward to having you to myself all day long, every day.”
She stopped fidgeting. “William Connor, just because we’re going to be partners does not mean you can just do this whenever you want.” I’d slipped one of my hands under her skirt, touching her midthigh.
“Yeah it does. It absolutely fucking does.”
When we first discovered the problem with that nerve, I’d known I wouldn’t continue on the LAPD. Not being able to carry a gun limited my options considerably. I hadn’t taken it as hard as I’d expected, probably because I’d already decided on a change in careers, and because I’d already been looking forward to building something with Paige. Now I could dedicate more of my time to this.
We were going to grow the foundation, and I also planned to work on expanding the rental network. She was going to be my partner in all things. It made perfect sense. Our skills complemented each other’s.
We’d discussed what the additional centers could be about. Between the two of us, we had plenty of ideas, and seeing Paige light up at all the prospects had been one of the proudest moments in my life. It humbled me to know I could make her so happy.
Giving up my badge was still something I had to get used to, but instead of mourning the end of my career on the force, I was excited for what our future together would bring. I was smiling, and then I took her by surprise, kissing her bottom lip, then biting it lightly. Paige giggled, and I let go just as she burst out in a full belly laugh, then covered her mouth.
“You don’t care much about a citation for indecent behavior, huh?” she whispered.
“Not particularly, no. I love you, Paige.”
“I love you too. And I promise this will all work out.”
“I’m sure it will. I have a great feeling about what we’re going to build together.”
My happiness had been deeply entwined with my cases since I’d joined the force, but Paige had severed that tie. In fact, my happiness was now deeply entwined with the sassy brunette who might or might not be purposely squirming in my lap.
***
“I can’t believe this doesn’t even require an ambush,” Hailey said wistfully at the next Friday dinner. Next to her, Val sighed.
“Yeah, I’d been bracing for a full-on intervention when Lori arrived.”
The three of us were on Val’s porch, waiting for dinner to be ready. Jace and Paige had offered to prepare dinner. I was keeping my fingers crossed, and the food-ordering app on hand. I should have known that the only reason Val would give up the reins of her kitchen was because she thought an intervention was required. Also because we were having another dinner on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas.
“Sorry, girls, no ambush needed,” I teased them, though I secretly enjoyed that they were doting on me.
