"Don't apologize." She's breathing hard, lips swollen, and she looks absolutely beautiful. "That was really good."
"Really?" I can't quite believe it. "Because I have no idea what I'm doing and I was kind of just?—"
"Seth." She touches my face. "It was perfect."
The bell above the door chimes.
We spring apart. Bea's face is bright red, her hair mussed from my hands. I'm probably not much better.
An older woman I don't recognize stands in the doorway, eyebrows raised and lips twitching with amusement.
"Sorry," she says, not sounding sorry at all. "Am I interrupting?"
"No!" Bea squeaks. "I mean—yes. I mean—" She tries to smooth her hair. "Can I help you find something?"
I step back, adjusting my uniform, trying to look professional instead of like I was just making out with my— with Bea in the middle of the hardware store.
The woman is definitely fighting a smile. "Just browsing, honey. Take your time."
She disappears down an aisle, and Bea turns to me with wide eyes.
"Oh my god," she whispers. "That was?—"
"Yeah." I run a hand through my hair, still trying to catch my breath. I'm annoyed at the interruption but also—god, I can't help the satisfaction flooding through me. She wanted me. She chose me. "That was?—"
"Really good," she finishes softly.
"Yeah." I can't stop smiling. "Really, really good."
We stand there grinning at each other like idiots until the customer clears her throat from somewhere in the paint aisle.
Bea jumps. "I should—she needs help?—"
"Go." I step back, giving her space even though everything in me wants to pull her close again. "I'll text you later?"
"You better." She touches her lips, still swollen from kissing, then smiles at me.
I watch her head toward the paint aisle, my chest warm and full, before slipping out the door.
When I'm back in my patrol car, my phone buzzes.
River:How'd it go?
Grayson:Please tell me you didn't screw it up.
I take a selfie—grinning like an idiot with kiss-swollen lips—and send it to both of them.
Seth:She kissed me. We're doing this. We're really doing this.
River:Hell yes.
Grayson:About damn time, Deputy.
I pocket my phone and start the car, my heart lighter than it's been in weeks.
Whatever comes next—whatever Bea decides—at least I know I gave her the choice.
And that's worth everything.
