More silence. “Maybe that place was their dream and they wanted to send a message. It’s not a bidding battle, it’s a biddingwar.”
I huff. “A message? More like someone out there is a pretentious asshole and sore loser.”
Her voice jumps half an octave. “What if they were tired of losing things? After losing so much already? Maybeshefinallyfound the missing piece to her life’s work.” Her heavy breathing calms.
Okay. Sweat breaks across my palms and lower back. I grip the wheel tighter. “Yeah, I guess…” I trail off, flipping my turn signal, then slow to a complete stop at the light. “But damn, I’d love to meet the person who thought an absurdly high bid was necessary. I’d give them a piece of my mind.” If I keep going, I’m going to get pissed all over again.
Silence. Great job, Langston. Made it weird.
“That would be…something,” she finally whispers toward the window. I glance over, eyeing her reflection in the glass. Her cheeks are flushed. She seems annoyed. Perhaps she’s warm? I rotate the heat knob lower.
“I won. So, it doesn't matter,” I add, unable to help myself. Where are my manners? “Congratulations on your new home as well.”
“You too.” Her words are almost too quiet to hear over the hum of the truck.
I switch on the radio and turn it on low, knowing I’ll be too distracted to care about music. Silence stretches between us for ten miles.
“I’m divorced,” she finally says. Her tone is neutral, like she’s commenting on the weather. “From Eli.”
I part my lips, unsure what to say, but glance to my right. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She’s still looking out the window. “It was always going to happen.”
What does that mean? I don’t ask. I forfeited my chance at Charlotte’s trust years ago.
A few minutes later, she gestures toward the silver handcuffs dangling from the rearview mirror. “That how you get all the women these days?” There’s a cute tease to her voice.
That makes me laugh. I appreciate the shift in the air between us. Though, I leave out the part of me being hopelessly single.
“Never know when you need to make a citizen’s arrest,” I say with a wink. “I’m actually a K-9 officer.”
“Okay,Officer.” She lifts a brow, a mischievous grin I know all too well spreads across her face. “I’ll be sure to be on my best behavior moving forward.”
A heatwave catches me off guard. “I highly doubt that.”
My shoulders relax when we share a smile that lingers. Is she really flirting with me?
I face the road again, attempting to steady the weird flutter in my chest. Things are looking up.
“Wait.” With a toothy grin, she twists in her seat, barely containing herself. “Isthisadorable puppy your partner?”
And the moment is gone.
“Temporarily.” My tone comes out sharper than I prefer. “Kind of like dog sitting. For training purposes.”
Charlotte’s face scrunches in a pout. “I’d be sad to see her go. She’s precious.”
I huff a little laugh. “She sure is.”
“What’s she like on duty?” Charlotte asks.
“Ember’s a totally different dog when her K-9 vest is on.” I lie. “Don’t let the cuteness fool you.”
Charlotte’s not buying it. “If I was a criminal and saw Ember chasing me, I’d just turn myself in so I could get all the cuddles.”
She lets out a full belly laugh, petting Ember's head. Ember whines when she takes her hand away, so she puts it back.
“What does a K-9 officer say to a perp?” She continues. Ember barks from the backseat like she knows the answer. Charlotte sings out of tune, using her fist as a microphone. “Stop! In the name ofaww.”
