But then again, most men wouldn't have lied to her in the first place.
Wouldn't have spent months living a double life.
Wouldn't have destroyed her trust while claiming to love her.
Jake pressed his palms against his eyes, exhaustion and self-loathing warring in his chest.
The door opened, and Bennett emerged, report tucked under his arm. He paused when he saw Jake still standing there.
"She's okay," Bennett said quietly. "Shaken up, but okay. You keeping an eye on things?"
Jake nodded once, not trusting his voice.
Bennett studied him for a moment, and Jake wondered what he saw. Probably a washed-up FBI agent who'd thrown away his career for a woman who couldn't even look at him.
Jake watched Bennett’s taillights disappear down Main Street.
Through the window, Hannah had gone back to sweeping, her movements mechanical, defeated.
And Jake stood in the darkness.
Jake satacross from Fire Chief Miller, watching the older man flip through his application. His FBI credentials were conspicuously absent from the paperwork—just his military service, his EMT certification, his experience with building codes and structural assessment.
"Former contractor?" Miller's eyebrows rose as he studied the carefully curated work history.
"Yes, sir." After all, he had actually fixed things around town for seven months. The fact that it had been cover for an FBI operation didn't make the skills any less real.
The irony wasn't lost on him—that his cover job had actually taught him the skills he needed now. He'd been good at it too, fixing things around town. But with Richard Everett's arrest, half the restoration projects in Crystal Lake had frozen. No one wanted to invest in buildings that might be tied to laundered money.
The few remaining construction jobs wouldn't be enough to live on, and his FBI salary had ended with his badge. He could leave town, find work elsewhere. But the thought of leaving Hannah unprotected made his chest tight. The fire department offered what he needed—steady work, a chance to serve the community honestly this time, and most importantly, a way to stay close enough to watch over her. Even if she never spoke to him again.
Miller set down the papers. "Crystal Lake's a small town, Cooper. Word gets around." He leaned back in his chair, studying Jake with sharp eyes. "People talk about how you were involved in the Everett case."
Jake's jaw tightened. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"You tell me." Miller's voice was carefully neutral. "Most people in your position would be looking for a fresh start. Different town. Clean slate." He paused. "Less complicated situation."
The suggestion hung in the air. Jake could leave. Should leave, probably. Find another small town that didn't know him as theFBI agent who'd spent the last months undercover. Start over somewhere his past couldn't hurt anyone.
But leaving meant not being able to drive past Sugar & Spice at night, checking the locks he'd installed himself. Meant not being there if Michael Harrison's watching turned to something more dangerous. Meant not seeing Hannah at all, even if only through windows, even if only to make sure she was safe.
"I'm not looking for a fresh start," Jake said finally. "I'm looking to do something that actually helps people."
Miller's eyes narrowed. "And this has nothing to do with Hannah Everett?"
Everything to do with her.
"I can't change what happened." Jake met Miller's gaze steadily. "But I can choose what I do next. I want to serve this community. Actually serve it this time."
"Even knowing how people will talk? How they might not trust you?"
"Especially then." Jake's fingers curled against his leg. "I owe this town something real."
Miller studied him for a long moment. Then he pulled out another form. "Two month trial period. You'll start at the bottom, work twice as hard to prove yourself, and deal with whatever comments come your way without starting trouble."
Jake reached for the paperwork. "I understand."
"And Cooper?" Miller's voice stopped his pen. "Hannah Everett's bakery is in our response district. You gonna be able to handle that professionally?"
