“Fine with me.”
“Are you sure? I feel so bad.”
“I wouldn’t have offered otherwise, trust me. With my job, I work shifts, but my hours are flexible if I need them to be.”
She let out a long sigh. “I owe you big time.”
“It’s what friends do.” He waited for an opportunity to turn around in the road, then headed back in the direction they’d come.
Just when he thought they’d hit a smooth transition, he noticed her hands clutched her purse tightly. “What’s wrong?”
“You said we’re friends.”
Both his eyebrows shot upward. “That’s a bad thing?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” Her shoulders rose and fell in resignation. “With our history, is that wise? And your career. I’m a former drug addict and you’re a detective. I’m sure your superiors would have something to say about that.”
Life wasn’t fair. It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way, with Tiffany and him sitting in his work vehicle, virtually strangers after nine years of distance. Having to learn trust and friendship all over again.
It made him angry.
He kept his hands on the wheel but pulled off the road at the first safe spot and put the unit inPark. He locked his gaze on hers, intent on making her understand. “The lady who showed up to look at Lilly was a confident, courageous woman. I know I did my part in making you feel worse, and those words will forever haunt me, but understand this. I don’t use the wordfriendlightly. Yeah, we have a past, but that past includes one of the best friendships I’ve ever had, and it would be my honor to count you as a friend again. We’ve all done things that weren’t right, but what matters is what we do with those mistakes, and I’ll be honest, I’m proud of you, Tiff. Prouder than I’ve ever been of anyone in my life.”
“How’s a girl supposed to argue with that,” she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“You’re not.” He winked at her. “You take it at face value and realize the incredible person you are. I suspect you already know, but the events of the last few days have worn you down.”
She tapped him playfully. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
