"What's wrong with your car?" Theo asked.
“Nothing. Betty’s fixed now," she said lightly.
"It was your carburetor this time,” Johnny said. “But your transmission is shot too.
"Oh no," her brow furrowed. "How much do I owe you?"
"I got it. You can pick up breakfast the next time we go out."
Jealousy shot through Theo, thick and stabby. Johnny met his eyes and gave him a slow grin. “Our girl has a sweet tooth. Did you know that? Chocolate chip pancakes are her favorite.”
Theo ignored that. “I would've given you a ride," Theo said to Amber.
"Don't need one, boss."Boss. He was so fucking sick of that word.
"All right, I've got a night shift to get ready for,” Johnny said. “Still on for Friday?”
"Sounds good.” Amber scooped up Puddin’. “I’m leaving too. We’ll walk you out.”
“Thanks, babe.” Johnny leaned down and kissed Amber’s cheek, holding Theo’s gaze as he did so. "Later, Mr. Mayor.”
Theo nodded, and grimly wondered about his odds of being reelected with an assault record.
“You shouldn’t have done that,”Amber said once they left Theo’s office.
“What? I can’t kiss my friend on the cheek.” He grinned knowingly, that same grin that meant trouble wasn’t far behind. Johnny liked to push the boundaries even more than she did.
Amber tugged his burly arm down the hall. His Northfield Fire Department uniform shirt barely fit over his armshe was so big, but he let her pull him along. “You didn’t do it for my sake.”
“I know.” Johnny smirked. “Relax, babe. Can’t make it too easy on the guy.”
“He’s my boss. I’m not trying to be easy. And you’re complicating things.”
They were whispering as she led Johnny out of the building, but he stopped abruptly in front of Charlotte’s office.
“Hey,” he said, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Amber rolled her eyes. She had been watching Johnny charm women with that smile since they were kids. There was no way Miss Prim and Proper Charlotte would look twice at a guy like Johnny.
“Sorry, we’re just leav—” Amber stopped because Charlotte was staring. She was sitting at her computer, glasses on, with a pencil paused in midair, staring boldly at Johnny, who started right back.
“Er. Do you know each other?” Amber looked back and forth in the awkward silence. Charlotte’s red sheath dress fit perfectly, and her hair was soft around her face rather than her usual severe bun. She looked calm and confident, and lovelier than ever.
Slowly, Johnny straightened up off the door frame and walked toward her.
"Charlotte Thornton, this is my friend, John Rossi,” Amber said.
Charlotte held out her hand. Johnny held onto it, and they stared at each other without blinking.
They stared at each other so long, Amber got uncomfortable. “Should I wait outside?"
"Oh, sorry," color flooded Charlotte's cheeks, but she didn’t take her hand back.
"Why don't you come out when you're...er, done?" Ambersaid, backing out of the office. What in the world just happened?
She walked past Diane, who was eating burnt popcorn. She was just opening the car door when Johnny came out.
“Sorry about that.” He shook his head like he was clearing it.
She eyed him. “What was that all about?”
