Schmiddy walks out in a huff, spouting threats of reporting her to HR, and I track my gaze to London.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Fine. God, that man is a total ass.”
“Not going to lie, he’s a piece of work. Let’s hope he doesn’t end up ca?—”
“Which makesyoucaptain.” She folds her arms, raising a brow.
Yeah, so I may be little biased. But hell, the man would be a disaster for any department.
“I meant to thank you,” London says quietly, her face softening.
“For not wishing Schmiddy well?”
“No, Miles. For the other night.”
Oh.
I rub a hand behind my neck, dropping my focus to the floor. “Don’t mention it. I’d do the same for any of my crew.”
As my words register I see something akin to a light fading in her eyes. Or is that just what I want to see?
Dammit.
This is why we don’t cross this line.
It’s there for a very, very good reason.
The last thing I need is to be second-guessing, well,anything.
“Right,” she says softly, grabbing her towel and wiping her neck and chest to soak up the sweat from her run.
How badly do I wish we were anywhere else right now. In any other job, together. Laws never had life-and-death as a con on his list of things he had to weigh up when it came to Carlie.
I’m almost envious of him.
But this is my life’s work. The thing that makes me whole. Makes me who I am.
“How’s Petal doing?” she asks, and I’m grateful for the change of subject.
“She’s good.” I sit on the end of the work bench and look up into brown eyes busy searching every inch of my face. “Could use some girl time, again. Been nagging me about it for days. You’ve spoiled her.”
London smiles. “I can do that.”
That’s all it takes for this stupid big heart of mine to swell with hope. Even in the face of the fact I can’t, I won’t, act on this thing that could very well be wholly one-sided.
“I’ll tell her. You’ll make her day, Tennison.”
“London. You can call me London. I mean, when you can.”
I nod, elbows on my thighs, a sweat towel between my hands. My chest is heaving, and I’m not exerting a single muscle.
“I can do that.” I send her words back.
Just like that, Miles and London are friends... I think.
Oh great, now I’m referring to myself in the third person. Wait ’til the guys get a wind of that one.
