After we were done at the station, Nico invited everybody who helped to join us for a celebratory drink. Some people declined, but a few of the fellow officers, as well as Jessica and Maisie, have joined us at The Hut.
My hand falls, my knuckles brushing against Jessica’s and sending tingles up my arm. I glance at her to find her watching me, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
My heart does a little flip inside my chest, like it did earlier when I saw her. It’s been a few days since the last time we saw each other; the day she offered me comfort. We’ve both been busy with work. And if I’m being honest, if only with myself, I needed that time. Time to compose myself. Time to put that wall back in place. Remind myself that while Jessica is nice, it doesn’t mean anything. She’s nice to everyone. Cares about everybody. But this thing between us? It’s fake. That’s the only way it can be.
She leans closer, her flowery perfume surrounding me and awakening all my senses as she wraps her fingers around my biceps. Her voice is soft as she whispers into my ear, “Look at you, getting these two to agree.”
Just then Nico smirks at Mae. “Did you just voluntarily agree with me, Doc?” He extends his hand toward her forehead. “Are you okay?”
Mae slaps it away, shooting him a death glare. “I’d be careful where I put my hand if I were you, officer.”
Nico lifts his bottle to his mouth, taking a sip, but even that doesn’t hide his smile.
“So, what now?” I ask, deciding a change of subject is in order before the two of them really get into it. “We have the money, so what’s the process?”
Nico shrugs. “Chase will continue working with Duke and get the certification and then the department will decide who’ll be the one who goes through the training to become his handler.”
“So, did you start buying dog stuff?”
“Why do you think it’s going to be me?” Nico sits up straighter.
I roll my eyes at the obvious answer. “Because it was your idea?”
“So what? It’s for the department. Anyone can become Duke’s handler. They could give it to Molly, or hell, even you.”
I quirk my brow at him. “Oh please, do you seriously think Jenkins will give me the dog? Yeah, right.”
“And I don’t want the dog.” Molly shoots Mae an apologetic smile. “He looks lovely, but big dogs scare the crap out of me.”
“Shit.” Nico runs his hand through his hair, and I can’t help but laugh.
“What’s with the grim face, Rivera?” A dark-haired guy joins our table, slapping Nico on the shoulder, and I recognize him from earlier. He and a few other guys from the fire department came over with their trucks to support the cause, and he and Nico seemed to know each other.
I smirk. “It just clicked with him that he’s getting a new pet.”
“No shit? That means you guys hit the goal?”
“Yeah, it was a good turnout.” Nico glances at the guy, extending his fist. “Thanks for coming, man.”
“Anytime. Having a search and rescue dog will be good for the whole county.” He rubs at his chin thoughtfully. “Although now we’ll have to come up with something of our own at the fire department. Can’t have your skinny asses outshine us.”
“Oh, shut up, Morales.” Nico laughs wholeheartedly. “The only skinny ass I know is yours, and ain’t nobody wanna see that.”
Morales turns around without blinking and shakes his ass. “You can bounce a quarter off this thing. Maybe your friend over here wants to give it a try.”
Mae chuckles at that. “Well, I mean, if it’s for science…”
“The hell you will,” Nico says immediately, glaring at Maisie. Which is the completely wrong thing to do.
Maisie crosses her arms over her chest, bristling. “And who are you to tell me that, huh?”
Morales watches them with raised brows, his eyes meeting mine. “They always like this?”
“Pretty much.” I tip my chin to the empty chair. “Why don’t you sit down? This might take a while. I can grab you something to drink.”
“Nah, thanks. I’m gonna go back to my guys, but it was nice catching up.”
He pats Nico’s shoulder in goodbye, but Nico is too busy provoking Mae to pay him much attention.
