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COLTON
For the next week, I let myself get caught up in work. Spending Saturday with Remi was nice, but it hit on my insecurities: a desire for something more in my life, and the fear that came with it.
Going for something casual with Remi was an attractive idea. The longer I stayed away from her, the more I wanted her.
Like Max said, Remi seemed like a free spirit, who probably had ideas of her own. Maybe I should take the next step and see what she did. If she shut me down, I had my answer. If she kissed me back, then all bets were off.
My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Remi while I was at the station. I swiped to answer, and her excited voice filled my ear. “I just had the best idea.”
Smiling in spite of myself, I stood, moving to somewhere the entire department wouldn’t overhear our private conversation. I stepped outside, where the sky was overcast, and the smell of rain was in the air.
“What is it?” It wasn’t lost on me that my old way of reacting to an interruption was to put my phone on silent and return the call after hours, but I wanted to hear from Remi.
“We should have a Shops on Main picnic.”
“Okaaay.” I drew the word out, not sure why she was telling me.
“It’s perfect. Everyone can bring their wares. Max can bring his famous crab cakes, Hailey can bring iced tea, Sophie can bring baked goods, and Easton—I don’t know what he can bring, but maybe he could be in charge of the activities. He plays soccer or something, doesn’t he?”
“I have no idea what Easton does in his spare time.” We were friends in high school but drifted apart when he went to college at St. John’s on his trust fund. I hadn’t made an effort to reconnect with him since I moved back.
“It’s going to be so much fun.”
I loved that she called me, but I wasn’t sure how I could help. “Why are you telling me?”
“You’re supposed to be our contact with the town for events, right?”
I leaned against the building, nodding at a fellow officer as he opened the door to go inside. “I coordinate festivals with Naomi, the mayor’s event planner.”
“Then you’re the one I should be talking to. We could have it at the park. Quiet Rivers Park, maybe? I don’t know… What do you think?” Her voice trailed off.
“I think it’s a great idea,” I told her honestly. Normally, I didn’t care much for picnics or gatherings, but if it got Remi talking to me and this excited, then I was all for it.
She sighed. “You’re just being nice.”
I chuckled. “I’ve never been accused of that. More like impatient, grumpy, and set in my ways.”
“Yes to all of those things. So, you’re on board?” she asked, her tone filled with excitement.
I wasn’t sure why she needed me to approve her idea. Unless she thought of us as friends. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Had I inadvertently put myself in the friend zone by going to yoga with her? “What’s the reason for the get-together?”
“Collaboration. Friendship. Getting to know each other better.”
It seemed like the perfect opportunity for Remi to build awareness of her brand and do something good for the community at the same time. “What if you used the event to raise money for something?”
She sucked in a breath. “Oh, I love that. But for what?”
“What about something close to your heart? Supporting the foster care system?”
Silence came over the line.
I rushed to add, “It doesn’t have to be something so personal. You could do something with health.”
“No. That’s a great idea. It will bring everyone together, and it’s for a good cause. Should we say we’re raising money for scholarships for the kids or equipment or whatever they might need? I should probably contact my old social worker and ask what they need.”
“That’s wonderful.” I wasn’t placating her. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
“I’m so glad I called you first. You have the best ideas.” Before I could respond, Remi added, “You’ll help me, right?”
