Holding his gaze for a few moments longer, I see the corner of his mouth twitch upward. I spin on my heels and start walking away.
“You’re growing soft on me, Trouble,” he calls after me.
I duck my head, biting my lip.
Maybe there is some truth to his words.
Maybe it should worry me.
This pull he has on me.
But he smiled, and that’s the only thing that matters.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
MATTHEW
“Let’s go,” Nico mutters as he passes my desk without stopping.
I get up immediately and follow him as we leave the station and go to the car.
“That bad?” I ask as we slip inside and buckle in. Nico’s brows are pulled together in a deep scowl as he checks the rearview mirror and pulls out onto the street.
Nico Rivera doesn’t get fazed easily, so whatever Jenkins told him must be bad.
“They’re not willing to invest the funds for the K9,” Nico mutters, his fingers clenching around the steering wheel. “After everything that has happened, what we’ve witnessed, they’re still refusing to budge on this. They’re more than happy that we figure it out on our own, but the city says it doesn’t have the budget to finance a K9. Fucking small town politics.”
I press my lips into a tight line. I can’t say I’m surprised by this revelation in the slightest, but I hate this for Nico. He’s really trying here, and after seeing first-hand how useful a tool a K9 can be, he’s determined to get it.
“We’ll figure something out.”
“How? It’s a shit ton of money.”
“I know, but we’ll figure it out.”
Nico gives me a sideways glance. “I thought you don’t want the dog.”
“I never said that. I was just surprised that day, that’s all. Dogs are fun, and trust me, I know how beneficial they can be. Did you know my brother is trying to train Kyle’s dog to help him with hearing stuff?” I shake my head, still baffled by the concept. “Apparently that’s a thing. I never realized it before. That being said, a part of me can’t help but wonder if you’re this dead set on it because you think the dog can be good for the department, or because of a certain brunette who owns the shelter.”
Nico’s gaze narrows at me. “Shut up, Rookie.”
His annoyance has me chuckling. “So, the brunette.” I nod slowly. “How is that going? You think you have a shot?”
“How about we talk a little bit about your arrangement with Jessica Richards?”
Fuck.
“You mean my date?”
Nico rolls his eyes. “Oh, please. You can try to fool everybody else, but I’m reading you like a book.”
“Are you now?” I ask slowly, not willing to give him a reaction before he shows me his hand.
“You think you’re that smart, huh?” Nico snorts. “Well, let me tell you what I think. I think that girl just broke up with her boyfriend, who didn’t take it the best, if we’re judging by the gossip spreading all over town. I also know for a fact that I mentioned offhandedly that you should show people you’ve changed and you’re serious about staying here by… what was it again? Oh yeah, dating a nice, good girl. And then suddenly, we’re going out on a double date, and she’s bringing you brownies to the station. How am I doing so far?”
“Brownies that somebody ate!” I shoot him a disgruntled look.
“Hey, it’s not my problem that you left them out in the open.” Nico shrugs. “Becky sometimes sends over leftovers from Reading Nook, so I thought they were for everyone.”
