“The expansion would include dedicated office space, so no more sessions out of the converted conference room, and a budget for additional programming. We’d also want you to develop training for new recruits and integrate wellness into the academy curriculum.” Diana paused, and something in her face softened just slightly. “There would be a significant salary increase to reflect the expanded scope.”
Jade processed this, her mind racing. Two years meant making a commitment. A real commitment, not just to the job but to Phoenix Ridge, the life she’d been creating, to Maddox.
"I realize this is a lot to consider," Diana said when Jade didn't immediately respond. "You don't need to answer right now?—"
"I want to," Jade interrupted, then caught herself. "I mean, I'm very interested. This is— It's more than I expected."
"You've earned it."
"But I do need time to think." Jade met Diana's gaze. "A two-year commitment is significant."
Something knowing flickered in Diana's eyes. "It is. Take until Wednesday to decide. That gives you a couple days to consider what you want and to have conversations."
What she wanted. As if Jade didn't already know.
She wanted the work. She wanted to keep building these programs and keep helping the officers who'd started to trust her. She wanted the professional validation of a department that valued what she brought.
And she wanted Maddox. She wanted the mornings waking up tangled together, wanted Zeus greeting her at the door, wanted the hikes and the quiet evenings and the life they'd been building without quite naming it yet.
She wanted both, and she didn't want to have to choose between them.
"Thank you," Jade said. "I'll have an answer for you Wednesday."
Diana stood, and Jade followed suit. But instead of moving toward the door, Diana stayed behind her desk, regarding Jade with that careful attention.
"Off the record?" Diana's voice shifted, losing some of its professional edge.
Jade nodded.
"You've built something good here. Professionallyandpersonally." Diana's mouth turned upward slightly. "Phoenix Ridge suits you."
The words nestled in Jade's chest, warm and certain. "Yeah. It does."
“Then I hope you’ll choose to stay.”
Jade left the office with the contract proposal in hand, her mind already spinning through possibilities. She walked back through the station to her converted conference room office, closing the door behind her. She had three client sessions scheduled for the afternoon, but first, she needed a moment to process.
She pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Maddox's contact. They'd planned to meet for lunch later this week, but suddenly that felt too far away.
Jade: “Good news. Want to talk tonight?”
The response came within seconds.
Maddox: “Always. Your place or mine?”
Jade smiled, typing back, “Yours. I'll bring dinner.”
Maddox: “Can't wait.”
She knew then that whatever she decided about their contract, they’d figure it out together.
The rest of her workday passed in a blur of sessions and paperwork, but underneath it all ran that current of excitement. She had a chance to really build something here. By the time she left the station at five, she'd made up her mind. She just needed to say it out loud to Maddox first.
She stopped at the grocery store on the way, picking up ingredients for the pasta dish Maddox had mentioned loving. The familiar routine of shopping—selecting vegetables, choosing wine, grabbing fresh pasta—felt grounding after the morning's revelations.
The drive to Maddox's house felt familiar now. Maddox's old but well-maintained truck sat in the driveway, and Zeus started barking before Jade even got out of the car. The front door opened, and there was Maddox, still in her work clothes, Zeus pushing past her to get to Jade first.
"Hey, buddy." Jade crouched, accepting Zeus's enthusiastic greeting of licks and tail wags and that full-body wiggle thatmeant he was genuinely happy to see her. "Yeah, I know. I missed you too."
