But it’s impossible to forget that he doesn’t do relationships. And if he did, it would be with someone like Ruby.
Because why wouldn’t he? She’s single. She’s also fun, spontaneous, sweet, and smart. Not to mention, she’s gorgeous.
I’m none of those things.
Okay, I’m single, passably smart, and I try to be nice, except Jake hasn’t seen much of my pleasant side. And fun and spontaneous? That’s not me either. Gorgeous? Not hardly.
Ruby knows I’ve had feelings for him forever, but if he asks her out, I’ll step aside and give them both the chance to be happy. I love both Bella and Ruby like sisters and want nothing more than for them to be happy.
I rub my chest. Except the thought makes my heart ache.
A police cruiser turns at the stop sign and inches toward us. It must be Jake because Chief Carter was at the courthouse with us, and Ramirez is at the station.
“Hey, Em, I need to go.” Ruby squeezes my shoulder, giving me a sincere look. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”
God, I love her. She’s going to disappear before Jake gets here, so I can talk to him without her being around to grab his attention.
Before I can reply, she’s jogging toward her car. As Jake passes her, he draws down his window and says something. In response, she steps down to the pavement and rests her hand on the top frame of his window.
Okay…. My heart drops to my feet. Maybe she left so they could talk in private.
When her face lights up, I turn the other way and walk to my car. I’ve got to get out of here before I break down, and I’m going to need more than a moment to adjust to the idea of them dating.
I also need a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a can of whipped cream. And a piece or two of triple chocolate cake from Jolie’s. Maybe then, I’ll be able to stomach seeing them together.
As I fasten my seatbelt, Jake slides into the parking spot next to mine and climbs out. My hands shake as I turn the ignition until my car sputters to life.
When he raps his knuckles on the window, I blink up at him. How did he get around his car so fast?
I wave him off and rest my hand on the gear shift. He frowns and knocks again. Shit. He’s not going to leave. And he’s a police officer. Heat floods over my face. If I leave, everyone in town will hear that I evaded the police.
I drop my hand from the gearshift and roll down the window. “Yes?”
“You don’t have to seem so happy to see me.” He smirks and rocks back onto his heels. When he breathes, the fabric stretches over his chest and biceps. Did his uniform get tighter?
Stop drooling. He’s interested in Ruby, not you. They’d be cute together. Pain slices through my chest.
“Hey, Jake.” I smile even though I don’t feel like it. “Thanks for helping Dom and Bella out today.”
“It was my pleasure.” He shrugs. “Not to mention, it’s my job to protect the people in this town.”
I lean back in my seat. Why did I ever think he was an asshole jerk? “You really like your job, don’t you?”
“Yes.” He frowns. “Yes, I do.” Some of the softness in his features shifts to exasperation. “I like helping people, but that’s clearly not something you’ll ever believe about me.”
“That’s not it.”
“Yes, it is.” He steps back as the muscles across his jaw and cheeks tighten in irritation. “Anyway, I wanted to make sure everything went okay with Bella, but I’ll call Dominic later so I’m not bothering you.”
My heart squeezes in my chest. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t meaning that to sound rude.” And for once, I wasn’t. I was trying to pay him a compliment, and of course, I fucked it up.
His stance doesn’t change with my apology. He remains stiff and closed off as I try to think of something that’ll make things better. This is all my fault. He didn’t do anything wrong. It’s always been my feelings that I’ve thought about. Not his.
I relax my shoulders and grip the steering wheel with one hand like it’s a life raft. “I saw you talking to Ruby.”
“Yeah….” He glances in the direction she traveled.
“Do you want me to put in a good word to her about you?”
