“Well, I’m still learning. I’ve hired a team of experienced cooks to help run the kitchen, though, so I won’t be on my own.”
“What about the garage?”
“Sold it. It felt too strange staying there with everything that’s happened. A fresh start is what we all needed.”
I exhaled, and a foreign sensation came over me. After a moment, I realised what it was. He was going straight, and I was proud of him. Softening my voice, I asked, “How’s Stu coping? Have you been to visit him?”
At this Lee’s expression darkened. “He’s coping, but it’s hard inside, especially when you come in strong, with a reputation to uphold. It’s…challenging, but he’ll get there.”
My stomach churned, reminding me of my guilt. I’d had a hand in Stu being behind bars, so I couldn’t help feeling remorseful.
“Well, he’s got a lot of people waiting for him on the outside. Just keep reminding him of that and it’ll see him through.”
“Yeah,” said Lee. “I hope so.” Turning his body slightly, his eyes wandered from the top of my head to my shoulders. I grew self-conscious, wondering why he was studying me so closely.
“You been seeing anyone?” he asked.
I shot him an incredulous look, trying not to smile. “Are you seriously going there?”
“Got a soft spot for ya, Snap. Always have.” He winked, but there was a sadness behind his eyes. We both knew that what he’d felt for me was far more than just a soft spot.
I let out a sigh. “No, I haven’t been seeing anyone. Like I said, I’ve been busy.” I paused, not looking at him when I asked shyly, “Have you?”
I could practically feel him smiling, and when I chanced a glance, I noticed his chest puffing out as he rested his arm along the back of my chair. “No. There’s no lucky lady in my life right now.”
“Oh.”
We shared a moment of eye contact, a fire in his gaze that made me swallow hard. His breath hit my ear when he broke the quiet. “I’m sorry for how I blanked you in court that day. It was a shitty move, but my head was all over the place.”
“I know, and I don’t blame you. You love your family, and a piece of it was torn apart. It’s understandable that I was the last person you wanted to see.”
“Still, I should’ve said something, should’ve tried to explain, but I felt so powerless. I thought I had it all figured out. I could throw myself under the bus and everyone else would be safe, no clue that Stu planned on beating me to it.”
“I think he had to do it, though,” I said. “He needed to be the one to take responsibility this time.”
“Yeah, I get that now.”
A quiet descended, and I smelled Lee’s cologne. The scent provoked memories that I tried to push away.
“So, sergeant, eh?” he said, nudging me with his elbow. “Will you get to wear a new insignia?”
“RW 79, all the way,” I answered, saluting him. “Plus, I’ll get to boss all the constables around. It’ll be ace.”
“Oh, yeah, I can see it now, you shouting orders, all sexy in your uniform,” Lee teased, plucking my tie between his fingers.
I rolled my eyes. “I swear, you must be the only bloke in the world who’s got a thing for this uniform.”
Lee’s eyes sharpened as he continued to grin at me, and then he let my tie drop and stood. “Tell Alexis I said congrats. Oh, and I’ll see you around, Serg.”
“Not sergeant yet,” I called after him as he walked away.
He turned around long enough to reply, “You will be.”
His faith in me stirred my emotions, and I slumped back into my seat, my lungs suddenly too full of air.
The following week, I found an envelope in my cubbyhole at the station. My heart leapt when I recognised the stamp. I’d sat my exam just the other day, and already the results were in. Becoming a sergeant was something I’d wanted for years, and I was nervous to open the letter. What if I’d failed? Sure, Jennings and I weren’t mortal enemies anymore, but we weren’t bosom buddies, either. I didn’t want to have to face her smug look that was all, I told you so.
I almost gave myself a paper cut as I anxiously tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and let my eyes scan the contents. I’d passed! Without thinking, I emitted a highly unprofessional squeal of delight, fist pumping the air and grinning like a maniac. Excited, I first called Alexis, who was home from the hospital with Oliver. Next I called Reya, who insisted we meet for cocktails once my shift ended that evening.
I changed into some jeans and a silk blouse before I left the station, letting my hair out of its bun and running my fingers through the waves. Applying a small touch of makeup, I thought I looked good and headed to the bar where Reya had told me to meet her. When I arrived, I found her sitting at a table by the window, engrossed in her phone. There were two fresh margaritas in front of her, and I reached forward to take a sip just as she glanced up.
“Hey! Has anyone ever told you that you’re silent like a ninja?” she asked, grinning.
“Oh, many times.”
She rose from her seat and came around to hug me. “Well done! I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I said, and she went to sit back down, glancing at her phone again as she lifted her own margarita.
“Anything interesting?” I asked, arching a brow.
She waved away my intrigue. “Oh, no, it’s just Trevor.”
“Trevor as in Cross?” I gaped at her.
“Yeah, we text every once in a while. I gave him my number when we all went out together that night after my gig.”
“Right,” I replied. “So what do you two talk about?”
“This and that. He’s got this harebrained idea to create a web series following him and a group of his friends who do parkour. You know, capturing their stunts and all that. He was originally going to ask me to be the presenter, but then he decided against it. Apparently, I have the ‘look,’ but I’m not outgoing enough,” she scoffed.
“You’re a singer, you perform on stage all the time. How is that not outgoing?”
“Yeah, but it’s the whole ‘not opening my eyes’ thing that got him thinking I was too shy, which, by the way, I am. Anyhow, it’s not like I would’ve said yes. Travelling around with a bunch of smelly boys barely out of their teens isn’t exactly my dream job.”
I glanced at her hands, noticing how she was fiddling with the cardboard coaster. It got me thinking that maybe she wasn’t being entirely truthful.
“So there’s nothing going on between you two, then?” I probed.
Reya blushed, which was a feat to achieve on her caramel complexion. “Nope, just texts. Oh, and he friended me on Facebook.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Don’t ‘uh-huh’ me, Karla. There’s nothing going on. He told me I’m not his type, and I’d well believe it. His profile is full of pictures of him with tiny blondes, and I am neither blonde nor tiny.”
“Right, so you’ve been snooping through his profile,” I continued, goading her.
“Yes, of course I have. I’m a student. I have lots of free time and I get bored. What else is there to do?”
“Plenty.”
“Oh, shut up. You barely ever go online. You don’t understand the temptation to snoop.”
“Especially when there’s a twinkly-eyed pretty boy in the mix.”
Reya scowled. “That’s it. I’m changing the subject. When do I get to come see Lexie’s baby? I need some cuteness in my life.”
“Whenever you like. I doubt she’s gonna get the chance to leave the flat any time soon.”
Reya smiled like she couldn’t wait, and then a curious gleam lit her eyes. “So how was it with Lee? He drove Alexis to the hospital, right?”
“Who told you that?”
“Trevor,” she answered, like it was obvious.
“That boy’s got a big mouth. And it was fine, positively civilised, actually. We chatted for a bit. He told me he’s opening a restaurant, asked me to stop by.”
“I’m sure he did,” said Reya. “He’ll be all, Oh, I just spilled marinara sauce all over my muscle-T, whatever shall I do? Then he’ll whip it off, flex his abs at you, and you’ll be putty in his hands.”