After winding through the countryside, signs of civilization appeared: a gas station, scattered houses, and road markers pointing toward Birmingham.
Without warning, Ronan slowed the car and pulled onto the gravel shoulder. The abrupt stop sent my heart rate spiking.
I looked around for the cause of our sudden halt. “What’s wrong?”
He put the car in park, then turned to face me. “Nothing’s wrong. I just needed to do this before we get back.” His hand came up to my face, thumb brushing my cheekbone with a gentleness that made my breath catch. “Whatever happens when we get back to the city, whatever complications we face, whatever roles we have to step back into, . . . I need you to remember something.”
I leaned into his touch, unable to help myself. “What’s that?”
“Remember how we saw each other at the lake. No opposing sides. Just Nia and Ronan.” His eyes held mine, intense and unwavering.
His words rang true. Despite our differences and everything waiting for us in Birmingham, what happened between us was real. We’d shown each other parts of ourselves few people ever saw. That couldn’t be undone, no matter what happened next.
“I’ll remember, though I might need reminding occasionally,” I promised, turning my face to press a kiss to his palm.
His smile reached his eyes this time, crinkling the corners in a way that made my heart flip. “I can handle that.”
He leaned across the console, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, drawing me toward him. This kiss differed from our others, deeper like a promise, a beginning rather than an ending.
When we broke apart, his forehead rested against mine for a moment. “Ready?” he asked, his breath warm against my lips.
“Yeah.”
He gave me one last quick kiss before sitting up and putting the car in drive. As we pulled back onto the road towardBirmingham, I knew we couldn’t forget what we’d seen in each other.
10
RONAN
“You sure you’re good to drive? Been a long day,” I asked, one hand resting on her open door.
“Trying to find excuses to keep me around, Chief?”
My lips curved, despite everything. “Maybe. Is it working?”
“It is.” Nia smiled.
I glanced around the empty lot. “Not much I can offer here, but I keep thinking about our time at the cabin.”
Her eyes darkened, memories passing behind them like shadows. “Me too.”
“Remember what I said.”
“I remember.”
I stepped back, finally giving her space to close her door. “Good. Because that’s what matters.”
A soft smile touched her lips. “I’ll see you soon?”
It wasn’t really a question, but I nodded anyway. “Count on it.”
I closed her door gently. Nia started the engine, and I stepped back, watching as she backed out of the space and pulled toward the exit. Only when her taillights disappeared around the cornerdid I exhale long and hard, like I’d been holding my breath since she first walked into my life.
I noticed a black SUV idling at the far edge of the parking lot, headlights dark despite the deepening twilight. I didn’t react, didn’t turn my head for a second look, just reached for my key fob with the same casual movement as normal. Every instinct honed through me went on high alert, the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight up.
As if on cue, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out; the screen showed missed calls from Todd. I pocketed the phone without returning the call. I was headed to the station and would see him there.
I got into the car and started the engine, adjusting my rearview mirror to catch a glimpse of the SUV without being obvious. Still there. Still waiting.
