"She was into it." The admission costs me. "At least I think she was. But then she apologized and ran, so maybe?—"
"Maybe she panicked." Nate cuts me off, voice firm. "Seth, listen to me. I've seen you around women. You're shy, you're awkward, you overthink everything. But I've never seen you look like this." He gestures at me. "You're wearing her scent like a damn cologne and you can't stop touching your mouth. That kiss meant something to you."
"It was my first," I admit, and his eyebrows rise slightly. "So yeah. It meant something."
Nate's quiet for a moment, and I can see him putting pieces together. "Twenty-seven and that was your first kiss."
"I've been focused on work."
"I know." He holds up a hand. "I'm not judging. But Seth, if that was your first kiss, then you need to be careful here. This girl just got out of a relationship. She's dealing with her own stuff. Don't set yourself up to get hurt."
The protective tone catches me off guard. Nate's not just my partner, he's been looking out for me since I joined the department.
"I know that," I say.
"Do you?" He leans forward, elbows on his knees. "Because I can see you're already planning something. You've got that look, the one you get when you're about to do something noble and stupid."
"I just want to make sure she's okay."
"That's the noble part." Nate's expression softens. "The stupid part is if you go over there expecting her to fall into your arms. She used you as a shield, Seth. Maybe there wassomething there, maybe not. But you need to go in with realistic expectations."
"I'm not expecting anything."
"Good." He stands, heading for the door, then pauses. "Look, if you're going to check on her, do it. Just be honest with yourself about what you want from this. And if she's not in the same place, don't hang around hoping she'll change her mind. You deserve better than that."
"I won't."
"And Seth?" He opens the door. "Next time you can't focus on work, take a walk. Clear your head."
It's not harsh—it's the kind of thing an older brother would say. Tough love wrapped in genuine concern.
"Thanks, Nate."
"Don't thank me yet. Thank me when you don't get your heart broken." He leaves, pulling the door shut behind him.
I lastthirty-eight minutes before giving up on the paperwork.
The Wilson house looks exactly like it did two years ago when I stopped by to drop off Ben's forgotten toolbox from the station—white paint, blue shutters, a porch swing that's probably older than I am. Normal. Familiar. Not at all the kind of place that should make my palms sweat.
I'm halfway back to my patrol car when the front door opens.
"Seth?" Ben leans against the doorframe, surprise flickering across his face before breaking into a grin. "Everything okay?"
Too late to run now. I turn back, trying to look official. "There was an incident at the festival. With your sister. Wanted to make sure she's okay."
"Ah." Ben's grin widens as he steps onto the porch. "The incident. Yeah, heard about that one. Pretty sure the whole town has by now."
Heat creeps up my neck. "Her ex seemed pretty persistent. Just wanted to make sure he's not still bothering her."
"Terrance left town about an hour ago. Saw him packing up his car myself." Ben crosses his arms, but his posture is relaxed. "So she's safe from him, if that's what you're worried about."
"Good. That's… yeah. Good."
"But you really came to check on Bea." It's not quite a question, and there's something knowing in his eyes. "Not just about Terrance."
I meet his gaze. No point lying to Ben. "Yeah."
"Well, she's currently holed up in her room." Ben chuckles. "Won't come out. Think she's trying to pretend the last few hours didn't happen."
