“Yeah.”
Her contract was up for renewal. Jade had known it was coming. The department had brought her on only for a trial basis, and she had six months to prove the wellness program’svalue. And on Monday, she’d have been there precisely six months.
Maddox stood, crossed to where Jade was standing, close enough that Jade could still smell the eucalyptus from the soap clinging to her skin and see the water still darkening her hair at the temples. "What do you think she'll say?"
"I don't know." Jade leaned back against the counter. "It could be a renewal, could be an expansion of my services.” She went quiet for a beat too long and when she looked up at Maddox, she found her already looking at her. “It could be a 'thanks but no thanks.'"
"It won't be the last one." Maddox's voice was firm. "You've done good work here."
“You’re biased.”
“It doesn’t make it less true.” Maddox’s hand found Jade’s hip, her thumb rubbing small circles through her shirt. “Whatever she says, we’ll figure it out.”
We.Such a small word, but Jade felt weight behind it.
Jade covered Maddox's hand with her own. "Yeah. We will."
The moment settled around them. Jade looked at this woman—this guarded, careful, slowly-healing woman who'd learned to reach for her instead of pulling away—and felt something lock into place.
They’d had three weeks of building a life together, and whatever Diana wanted to talk about on Monday, they’d handle it together.
“Come on,” Maddox said, tugging her gently toward the living room. “Let’s be useless for a while.”
They collapsed on the couch, Jade’s legs tangled in Maddox’s. Zeus immediately jumped up to wedge himself between them despite house rules that had long since dissolved. Maddox pulled a handmade throw blanket over all three of them, and Jade settled into the warmth of her.
The morning stretched endless ahead, lazy and purposeless and utterly perfect.
Monday morning arrived too soon and with the kind of nervous energy that made Jade’s coffee taste extra bitter. She’d dressed with purpose, professional but not trying too hard, and opted for the navy blazer she knew projected confidence even when she didn’t quite feel it.
The walk from her car to Diana’s office felt longer than usual. She’d been in this building dozens of times over the past six months, meeting officers in crisis, facilitating wellness committee meetings, and sitting in on department briefings.
But this felt different. This was about her future, about whether Phoenix Ridge wanted her to stay or if she’d have to choose between her career and the life she’d built here.
Diana’s door was propped open, and Jade knocked on the frame, even though she could see Diana already at her desk, reviewing something on her computer.
“Jade, come in.” Diana gestured to the chair across from her desk. “Want some coffee?”
“I’m good, thanks.” Jade sat, folding her hands in her lap to keep from fidgeting.
Diana closed her laptop, giving Jade her full attention. That intensity had intimidated Jade at first, but now it just felt like Diana's way of showing respect. When she listened, shereallylistened.
"I appreciate you making time this morning," Diana began. "I know the six-month renewal has been on your mind."
“It has,” Jade admitted.
"Then I'll get straight to it." Diana pulled a folder from her desk drawer. "The department wants to extend your contract, but not just a renewal. We'd like to expand your role."
Jade’s heart kicked up. “Expand how?”
“Your wellness programs have exceeded expectations.” Diana opened the folder, revealing what looked like reports and data. “Officer participation is up forty percent. We’ve seen measurable improvements in stress management, fewer sick days, and better team cohesion. The crisis intervention protocols you developed have already been adopted by two neighboring departments.”
Warmth spread through Jade’s chest. She’d known her work was making a difference; she saw it in the officers she worked with and the way they’d started opening up and taking care of themselves. But hearing it quantified like this…
“That’s good to hear,” she managed.
“It’s more than good.” Diana leaned back in her chair. “And that’s why I’m not offering you a standard renewal. I’m proposing a two-year contract with expanded responsibilities.”
Two years. In Phoenix Ridge.Jade’s breath caught.
