That’s all it would take.
One step and I’d find out if she makes the same sound she did in my head last night.
“Hale?” she whispers, and my name on her tongue hits like a match.
I’m close enough now that I can see the freckles at the edge of her blush, close enough to feel her breath turn unsteady.
My hand lifts—slow—meaning to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Meaning to touch her.
Her eyes drop to my mouth.
Then back to my eyes.
Like she’s bracing for impact.
The landline rings.
Sharp. Brutal.
A goddamn siren in miniature.
Lila flinches like she’s been caught doing something wrong, even though neither of us has moved the final inch.
I don’t step back right away.
That’s the worst part.
Then I turn and snatch the receiver before I do something that would ruin us both.
“This is Hargrove.”
“Captain,” she greets me briskly. “We need to discuss your… influencer.”
My jaw tightens. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Ten minutes. Conference line. Don’t keep me waiting.”
As if I ever have before.
But the line goes dead before I can even agree.
I set down the receiver carefully, trying to keep my face neutral in front of Lila.
“Who was that?”
“The Hawk.”
“Who?”
“Our union rep.”
“Oh! That lady who sent me all the paperwork?”
“Yes, the lady who is probably going to become a very big thorn in your side.”
Lila merely snorts. “Well, she can get in line.”
