At least I finished the day without hitting someone.Thatwas another reason for my move, I was on thin ice in Portland. The officers in my precinct there were useless, and I have trouble holding my tongue and my temper.
And if that damn lieutenant doesn’t quit ogling me, I’m going to snap at her. That won’t be pleasant for anyone. All she ever does is make heart eyes at me all day. Makes my skin crawl. I don’t understand why women are drawn to me. The scar scares most people off, but sometimes I get those women who see instead a man to comfort and fix. A wounded animal. I am no wounded animal, and I will not get involved with anyone from work. I can’t count the number of reasons why that would be a disaster.
Sitting down on the nearby couch, I tip the beer up to my lips. The cool liquid is just what I need. I kick off my shoes and unbutton my sleeves before rolling them up. I hated wearing suits when I first became a detective, but they grew on me, and now I actually enjoy wearing them.
I should probably get a workout in, but all I want to do is jump in the shower and sleep for the next eight hours. Taking another sip, I pull out my phone and open up my emails. Seeing one sitting there from Sander, I click on it, opening it up and quickly reading it.
A photo of him and his family is attached at the bottom. I miss them already. I’ve only been here a month, but it’s enough to know that not seeing my best and only friend whenever I want is going to suck.
Kyra looks happy, her warm brown eyes smiling up at Sander. The boys are five and eight, and almost identical. They’re a perfect mix of their parents. I feel a sharp pang in my chest, a sense of longing at something I will never have.
I must have dozed off, because I’m woken by the vibrating of my phone. I look down to see its Sander calling.
“Hey,” I answer hoarsely.
“Did I wake you?” Sander’s warm voice replies.
I huff out a breath. “Yeah, but I needed to be woken. Haven’t even eaten today.”
“Is everything alright?” Concern bleeds down the phone line, his voice wary.
I rub a hand over my head and stretch it side to side. “Yeah, just work.”
“How’s the new job going?”
“Okay.”
“Playing nice?”
I let out a rough chuckle. My friend knows me well. “Of course.”
“Sure. Well, I just wanted to check in and see you’re alive since you haven’t responded to my messages or emails.”
“Shit, sorry.”
“All good. Now I know your alive. Go eat.”
“Will do.”
I hang up and make my way into the kitchen, opening the fridge. It’s bare; only some milk and eggs in there. Sighing, I shut the door. I could order in, but I need some fresh air, and there is a small café I’ve been wanting to check out. So, I grab my keys, slip my shoes back on, and head out the door.
It only takes around five minutes before I’m pulling into a spot on Main Street. The nights are getting cooler now, and I really have to get around to unpacking the rest of my shit. All my winter gear is still boxed up in the garage. I’m just not sure if I’ll be staying yet. The thought of unpacking makes the move seem official. I open the door to the café and make my way to the back corner, giving the young waitress a nod as I walk by. I can see surprise register on her face, and am curious as to why.
I don’t bother reading the menu, I know what I want. The young waitress makes her way over, and I can feel her nervousness. I tilt my head up as she approaches, and she sucks in a sharp breath before trying to compose herself. I guess she’s never seen scars like mine before.
“Hi, my name is Rose, and I’ll be serving you tonight. What can I get you?”
“Steak, medium, and salad,” I reply. I don’t mean for my words to come out clipped, but I can’t stop it. It doesn’t make an ounce of difference to the young girl as she writes down my order.
“Drinks?” she asks softly.
“Water.”
Rose offers me a warm smile before she leaves, and I frown after her. People come in and out, but I pay them no mind as I go through emails while I wait for my food. A sudden sense of awareness washes over me, followed by the sweetest smell. I close my eyes briefly, drawn in by the scent, my shoulders drop as I relax. I didn’t realize I was so tense.
“Detective.”
My eyes snap open at the sound of the most alluring voice. “Salena.”
