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Cap’s eyes widen before he chuckles.“Jesus, Luc.You’ve gone as white as a ghost.”
I rub my hand over the back of my neck, an awkward snicker escaping me.“Well, you kinda just launched right in with the whole ‘let’s talk about the future’ grenade.”
His eyes dance with amusement.“Well,usuallywhen I call any of my senior crew members into my office, they’re a hell of a lot more relaxed about it.”
“I’m relaxed,” I say, feeling a little affronted.
“Right.And the Pope’s not Catholic.”
I open my mouth to shoot back a smart-ass retort, but the narrowed glare my church-going Cap levels at me has me clamping my lips shut.
“Shit, Luc.Just chill.I’m not talking about giving me your first born, I’m talking about the lieutenant’s exam.A huge sigh of relief escapes me.“I had this big speech prepared about you being a highly regarded member of the department and this firehouse, and then you sit there like a stunned rabbit and ruin all of that.”
I crack a smile, which earns a deeper frown from my Captain.
“Look, I know you’ve been happy to come to work and do your job, and you’re one of the best 101 has.”
Relaxing a bit into my chair, I puff my chest out at his praise.“I sense abut.”
“It’s coming.But I’m going to be frank with you.”
I snort.“You’re Peter, Cap.Not Frank.,” I say.
He shakes his head, and presses on.“You’d be an even bigger asset to the department if you’d stop sitting on your laurels and put yourself forward for a promotion you’re pretty much guaranteed to get.”
I quirk a brow.“You gonna sit the tests for me too?”
“Fuck no,” Cap says with a laugh.“But I’ll back you any way I can.And you have the support of the other lieutenants here at the station.”
Well, shit.Knowing I have not just Marco but Rhodes behind this suggestion has me actually considering it.
The Cap goes quiet, his gaze roaming my face.“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, OK.I’m thinking about it.Probably because I know you, Marco, and Rhodes won’t quit until I agree.”
Cap smirks and I let out an exasperated sigh.
“When’s the next test?”
“A couple of months.”
I stare straight at him, rubbing the coarse stubble covering my jaw as I contemplate what this could mean.Usually, it would mean being reassigned to another firehouse, which isnotsomething I ever want to happen to me.101 is my home.
I push up to my feet.
Cap mirrors the action.“Is that a yes then?”
“It’s a maybe,” I reply.
He jerks his chin.“That’s good enough for me, Luc,” he says, his lips twitching as he reaches out his hand to shake mine.I do it and then shift back, checking my watch.“Somewhere to be?”
“Breakfast.”
“Ah yes, with Lonnie.”There’s no missing the warmth in his voice.
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
