Page 16

“Because I can’t be objective anymore.” The words came out in a rush. “She’s doing wonderfully, and any competent child counselor can continue her care, but I can’t—I can’t be her therapist when I⁠—”

I stopped.

Lane stepped closer. “When you what, Josephine?”

My name on his lips, low and careful, made my pulse skip.

“When I have feelings for her father,” I said quietly.

The silence that followed felt enormous.

Lane’s eyes darkened. “Feelings.”

“Yes.”

“What kind of feelings?”

“Lane—”

“I need to hear you say it.” He moved closer still. “Because I’ve been trying to maintain boundaries and be professional, but Jo, I can’t stop thinking about you. I think about you when I’m on patrol. When I’m making Remy breakfast. I think about the way you sit on the floor with my daughter.”

“I think about you too,” I whispered.

“Then transfer her.” Lane’s voice was rough, urgent. “Transfer Remy to someone else. And then⁠—”

“And then what?”

“And then let me take you to dinner. A real dinner. Just us.” His hand came up, hovering near my face. “Let me do this right, Jo. Court you properly. And we’ll see if whatever it is between us, is real.”

I could barely breathe. “Your daughter just invited me to dinner, too.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “She’s got good instincts.”

“Lane, I need to be sure. Remy has to come first.”

“She will. She does.” Lane’s voice was firm. “But she’s also been telling me for two days that you should be part of our family. She asked my mother if you could be her friend forever.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “She told me she thinks her mom would like me.”

Lane’s expression softened. “Holly would have loved you. She would have loved how you care for Remy.” He paused. “And she would want me to be happy. Remy said that too.”

“This is happening fast.”

“I know.”

“I’ve never—I don’t usually⁠—”

“I know that too.” Lane’s hand finally made contact, his fingers gentle against my cheek. “But sometimes fast is right. Sometimes you just know.”

“Do you? Know?”

“Yeah, Jo. I know.” His thumb brushed across my cheekbone. “I’ve known for a long time, I think. But it crystallized when you sat on that floor and drew a picture with my daughter.”

I leaned into his touch. “I’ll call Dr. Caldwell today. He’s excellent with children.”

“And then?”

“And then you can take me to dinner.” I smiled up at him. “And I can come meet your family properly. If Remy’s invitation still stands.”