"You know," Terry said, reaching across the small table to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "I keep thinking I should probably warn you that my life is complicated as hell."
The casual touch sent heat racing through Sandra's system, and she had to concentrate to keep her voice steady. "Define complicated."
"Sometimes basketball practice at seven on Saturday mornings. Emma's friends over for a slumber party. Toby's friends thinking my house is the neighborhood headquarters." Terry's hand lingered near her cheek for a moment before he pulled it back. "Plus, there's the ex-wife to coordinate with, and the fact that I haven't been on a real date in over a year."
"Who says I'm looking for simple?" Sandra asked, her boldness now seeming commonplace where Terry was concerned.
His eyes darkened as his voice dropped to a rougher register. "Careful, counselor. You might get more than you bargained for."
The promise in his voice made Sandra's pulse race. She was definitely getting in over her head with Terry Bunswick, but for the first time in her carefully planned life, that felt like exactly where she wanted to be.
3
Terry pushed through the doors of the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force offices, his mind still replaying every detail of his lunch with Sandra. The way she'd laughed at his terrible jokes, how her eyes had lit up when she talked about her work, the electric moment when he'd touched her face. All of it played on repeat as he tried to focus on the afternoon's responsibilities.
"Captain," Jeremy Pickett called out as Terry passed the bullpen. "We got the search warrant approved for the Tate case. Pete's coordinating with the sheriff's department for tomorrow morning."
"Good." Terry forced himself to shift mental gears from Sandra's smile to the drug operation they'd been tracking for weeks. "Six a.m. entry, everything by the book."
Detective Pete Bolton looked up from his computer. “Tomorrow, we shut him down. It’ll be good to close that case."
"Just remember, this isn't some street corner pusher," Terry warned. "Tate has gang connections. I want everything documented perfectly."
Two days later, Terry sat in his office reviewing the successful case closure when his phone rang. Sandra's name on the display made him smile before he even answered.
"Captain Bunswick," he said, noting Jeremy's raised eyebrows from across the bullpen.
"Very official, Captain." Sandra's laugh was warm in his ear. "I have good news about our mutual friends, the Johnsons."
"Yeah?"
"Judge Morrison ruled in their favor. Full dismissal of the eviction proceedings, plus Webb has to pay their legal fees." Sandra's voice carried triumph. "Your testimony was perfect, Terry. You made the difference."
Terry leaned back in his chair, feeling satisfaction that had nothing to do with his own cases. "That's fantastic news. How are they taking it?"
"Mrs. Johnson cried. Mr. Johnson just kept saying, 'Thank the Captain for us' over and over." Sandra paused. "I was thinking we should celebrate. This win belongs to both of us."
Terry felt his pulse quicken. "What did you have in mind?"
"Early dinner? I know it's short notice, but I'm too excited to wait until the weekend."
"I know just the place. Finn's Pub in Baytown. Five thirty? Fair warning, though—it's not fancy."
"Perfect. I know it well. See you there."
Finn's Pub occupied a converted bank on Main Street in Baytown. Terry arrived first and claimed a corner booth, his back to the wall out of habit. When Sandra walked in and scanned the room for him, Terry felt the same punch of attraction that had hit him during their first meeting.
"I love the mismatched character of this place," Sandra said, sliding into the booth across from him.
Terry nodded. "The burgers are incredible, and nobody here cares if you talk shop."
They ordered drinks and food, and Terry found himself relaxing in a way he rarely did outside his own home. Somethingabout Sandra's presence made him feel like he could drop the professional mask.
"So tell me how you ended up on the Shore," Terry said after their server left.
Sandra's expression grew thoughtful as she took a sip of her wine. "I went to William and Mary for law school and fell in love with the Chesapeake Bay area during visits to Virginia Beach with friends. After graduation, I did what I thought I was supposed to do… took a position with a big law firm in Alexandria."
"Let me guess—not what you expected?"
