Lisa's expression softened for just a fraction of a second. Then she was turning away, guiding Mikey toward the door.
But at the threshold, she paused. Looked back.
"The cookies," she said quietly. "They were always his favorite."
Hannah nodded, not trusting her voice.
The bell chimed again as they left.
Hannah stood there for a long moment, staring at the place where they had been. Then, slowly, she turned back to her dough.
Her hands were steady now as they worked the soft mixture, adding just a little more flour.
Tomorrow, she'd make another batch of chocolate chip cookies.
And maybe—just maybe—someone else would remember that some things hadn't changed at all.
CHAPTER 26
Jake
Jake wipedsweat from his forehead, muscles aching from equipment drills. The locker room smelled like smoke and heat, the late afternoon sun slanting through high windows, painting everything in shades of gold. Just another shift. Just another day of pretending his world hadn't shattered when Hannah discovered his badge.
"Guess Everett's girl is still hanging on, huh?" Peterson's voice carried from around the corner. "Takes guts—or just plain stupidity."
Jake's hands stilled on his locker door.
Daniels laughed, the sound echoing off metal. "Think she's holding out for another rich investor? Worked out so well last time with daddy's money."
The metal creaked under Jake's grip.
"I mean, come on." Peterson's voice grew louder as he rounded the corner. "Her old man screwed half the town, and she's acting like?—"
The rest of his words cut off in a choke as Jake slammed him against the lockers. His forearm pressed against Peterson's throat, not hard enough to hurt—not yet—but enough to make his point.
"You ever talk about her like that again—" Jake's voice was barely more than a growl.
"Jesus, Cooper!" Daniels grabbed for Jake's shoulder. "Let him go!"
Jake ignored him, leaning closer to Peterson's wide eyes. "Hannah Everett is off limits. You understand me?"
Peterson's face reddened. Whether from anger or lack of air, Jake didn't care.
"That's enough."
Chief Miller's voice cut through the tension like a blade. Jake's jaw clenched, but he stepped back, letting Peterson stumble away from the lockers.
"What the hell, man?" Peterson rubbed his throat, glaring. "You gone crazy or something?"
"Cooper." Miller's voice carried a warning. "My office. Now."
Jake's hands curled into fists at his sides, but he followed the chief, leaving Peterson and Daniels to their whispers. His blood still roared in his ears, rage burning just beneath his skin.
Miller shut the door behind them. The familiar smell of pipe tobacco and leather did nothing to calm Jake's nerves.
"Sit."
Jake remained standing.
