“She’s not his fiancée. Thought I’d clarify that.”
We both laugh. “I kinda figured that with how awkward you were around her.”
“Yeah, I went to pick up the kid to see her dad, and Meghan was already at his mother’s house. Kyle must have told her, though.” He shakes his head. “You working again?” He shoves his hands in his pockets. He’s nervous, which is slightly charming.
“Nah, I actually came to ask Kyle for your number.”
“Oh.” He smirks, and I feel my cheeks flush. This guy is far too sexy for his own good.
“To thank you,” I say quickly. “For what you did with the car. That was really nice of you.”
“I did owe you an apology for the way I acted last night.”
“Yeah, I was kind of confused.”
“I used to live in that house. Well, I think you had it rebuilt? I guess you could say I have some unpleasant memories there.” I never expected him to explain.
“My aunt. She had it rebuilt. And I get that. Have some of my own.” I bite my lip and lower my eyes. “Anyway, thank you. I’d like to repay you, though.”
“Not necessary. Nate owed me one.” He puffs out his chest in a way that tells me my insisting will fall on deaf ears.
“Well, I should go. Staying here any longer will get me roped into working.” I offer him a small smile.
“Yeah, you take care then, Ocea.” He grins, and I swear my heart stops beating. After staring at him for a few seconds too long, I walk away, annoyed that he hasn’t asked for my number.
6
Aidan
“You should have asked for her number.”
“Yeah, and you should mind your own business,” I bite back. We’re sitting on Kyle’s mother's porch drinking beers. His leg is in a cast, which means he’s off duty for six weeks. I’m off for the first time in a long time.
“Come on. I’m not saying you should marry her. I’m just saying she is sexy as fuck.”
“Then you date her. Set Megalodon straight, and go date, Nightingale.”
“I mean, come on, you already have a nickname for her. That’s cute.”
“You two still bickering?” Missus Wills asks. A boisterous woman with gray hair that is always in a bun at the nape of her neck, she’s like a mother to all the boys at the station. She holds out a basket of barbeque wings, and I stand to take it from her.
“Just telling this hard head that he needs to settle down, Grams.”
“Oh, the way you are, baby?” she sasses sweet as sugar.
“I thought you’d be on my side.” Kyle throws his hands in the air.
“If that girl calls me Big Momma one more time, I’m gonna whip her ass.”
I spit my beer. “She calls you that?”
“Wouldn’t say it ’less it be true, boy.”
I laugh so hard, my stomach hurts.
“Now, you let him settle down when he’s good and ready.” She leans down and kisses my cheek.
“Sometimes, I wonder who’s her son in the first place.”
