Austin rubbed a hand on my back. “Is that something you can do, Jeremy?”
“I’ll try my best. I’ll speak to the prosecutor to see what he can do. We want the shark. Juan was a small, desperate fish that swam and trusted the wrong people.”
“What if I don’t want to press charges for my bracelet?” I asked, meeting Austin’s curious eyes.
“That would help him too.”
While Austin chatted with Officer Jensen about holiday plans, I thought about all the families who were worried about a loved one. I was grateful my mom’s chemotherapy went well. But I remembered the anxiety that kept me up at night. I didn’t know Juan, but I believed we all deserve a second chance.
I looked at Austin, who was still on the phone. We got our second chance. I reached for my clothes, got dressed, walked over to the window, and pushed the curtains aside to see a sheet of ice on the back patio.Ugh.It was going to be a pain removing the ice from my car. I had to head home, shower, and sleep to prepare for tomorrow.
“Where are you going?” Austin wrapped his hands around my waist, nuzzling my neck.
“Home.”
“It’s too dangerous. Didn’t you hear Jeremy say only essential people are allowed in the street for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours? The ice storm is worse than they expected.”
“What?” Anxiety bubbled in my stomach. “Let me see my car.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AUSTIN
Sleet slappedagainst the window as Ava looked outside at the driveway.
“You’re stuck with me.” I led her back to the couch.
We turned on the TV and watched the news reporters relay the city’s message about staying home. Though the city had treated the roads, the sleet and the quick drop in temperature made traveling dangerous. Ice wasn’t like snow, where the snowplows could remove it easily.
“The bakery will have to close?” she asked, still looking anxious.
“Yes, I’ll notify Bianca now.” I sent her a text and placed my phone on the coffee table. “Are you okay? You don’t want to stay here with me?”
“We’re just starting over, and I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re definitely not intruding.” I leaned into her. “You’re making my dream come true. We used to take turns staying at each other’s homes, remember?”
She nodded, and her stomach growled.
“What do you want for dinner?” I smiled. “I’ve got leftovers.”
“I need a shower first, but I don’t have any clothes.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I do?”
Rising, I led her to the guest room on the first floor and gestured to the closet and drawers. “Look.”
With furrowed eyebrows, she ambled over to the closet and saw the jackets and coats she’d left at my old place. She opened a drawer and sucked in a breath. “You kept all my clothes?”
“Everything.”
“Even the toiletries?” Her eyes widened.
I nodded. “But check the expiration date on the creams and lotions.”
She pulled out a set of pink cotton pajamas and a pair of panties. “Where’s the shower?”
