Jamie didn’t answer right away. She could still hear Erin’s laugh in her head, still see that sheepish grin at the fire scene. She shoved it down quickly, the way she had all night. Jamie tucked the blanket tighter around herself, letting her mom’s familiar hums fill the silence. She always forgot how easy it was to just… sit on the line with her.
“So this Erin,” her mom said at last, like she was easing into a pool. “She’s the one who gave you the quote about the Medford case?”
Jamie rolled her eyes even though her mom couldn’t see it. “Technically,no. She’s the one not giving me quotes.”
Her mom laughed, warm and amused. “And yet somehow you’re talking to her on the phone at night.”
“It’s not like that,” Jamie said quickly, adjusting her blanket like she could physically shield herself from implication. “It was—she was just… checking in. Professionally.”
“Mm-hm.” Her mom didn’t press, but the tone in her voice said she didn’t believe a word of it.
Jamie picked at a loose thread on the blanket, scrambling for safer ground. “So… how are the kids?”
Her mom paused long enough for Jamie to hear the recognition in it, but she answered anyway. “Getting big. Your brother says they’re outgrowing everything they own.”
Jamie smiled, though it tugged at her chest. “Feels like I’m missing whole stages.”
“You’re not missing everything,” her mom said gently.
Jamie picked at a hangnail, guilt stirring in her stomach. She hadn’t been around much, not for birthdays, not for school plays. Moving away had been the right choice, but it came with its own kind of ache.
“Sweetheart,” her mom interjected. “I know you’re trying to be careful. After Dylan… well, I don’t blame you. But careful isn’t the same as shutting yourself off. Don’t let fear make the decisions for you.”
Jamie pressed her lips together, staring at the darkened TV screen. She wanted to argue, but all she could picture was Erin’s grin in the firelight and the smudged number inked on her palm.
“I’m not—” she started, but the words fell flat. Instead, she sighed. “I just don’t want to screw it up again.”
“You won’t.” Her mom’s voice was steady, certain. “And even if you do, that’s life. But you deserve someone who sees all of you, jokes and all. Don’t forget that.”
Jamie swallowed hard. She wasn’t ready to admit how much those words landed, not out loud, anyway.
* **
“Did you see his face?” Jamie asked gently, pen poised over her notepad.
The restaurant owner, an older man with deep lines carved into his face, shook his head. “He had a mask. All I saw was the gun. And my wife screaming.” His hands trembled on the countertop, and Jamie felt the weight of it press down on her chest.
Before she could ask her next question, movement at the door caught her attention. Erin stepped inside, uniform neat, expression steady. She gave the owner a respectful nod before heading Jamie’s way.
“Detectives will be releasing a statement shortly,” Erin said smoothly, sliding into position like she’d done it a hundred times. “For now, I can confirm one suspect, armed, cash drawer stolen. No injuries.”
Jamie blinked at her, then scribbled down the details. “Do you have a description?”
“Male, medium build, black hoodie, fled on foot. Cameras are under review.” Erin’s delivery was clipped, efficient, exactly what a press officer should sound like.
But then, as the owner shifted behind the counter, Erin’s tone softened. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You and your wife did the right thing. You kept yourselves safe. That’s what matters.”
The man’s throat bobbed as he nodded, eyes glassy. Erin gave him a small, steady smile before straightening back into her professional stance.
Jamie caught the change, the crack in the armor, and felt her chest tighten. She looked down quickly, scrawling words she’d already heard just to have something to do.
Erin’s gaze flicked her way, lingering for a beat too long before she added, “You’ll get the full report this afternoon.”
Jamie nodded and looked back to the older man. “Sir, I think I’ve got everything I need. You and your wife should really go home and try to relax.”
The gentleman gave her a weary nod, eyes wet but grateful. Jamie offered him a small smile before closing her notebook. When she turned, Erin was already at the door, speaking quietly to one of the detectives before steppingout into the street. Jamie blinked, pulse quickening. Without thinking, she shoved her pen behind her ear and hurried after her.
Jamie jogged a few steps after her, words tripping out faster than her feet. “Hey, wait, I just—look, about last night, I know I kind of went off the rails on the phone, and then today I probably looked like I didn’t know what I was doing, which, okay, sometimes I don’t, but that’s not the point, I just—” She sucked in a breath, realizing she hadn’t stopped. “I was talking to my mom—”
