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“Your boss wants you to spend more time with the community. Won’t this help your promotion?”
He did want to see me socializing and being more of a community police officer, someone kids felt like they could approach. “That’s true.”
The rain started to come down, slow at first, just a drop here and there. I raised my head, enjoying the feel of it on my face. It was a dreary day, and with just one call, Remi lifted my spirits and got me thinking about something other than investigating the increased graffiti and break-ins around town.
“Want to meet me at Max’s tonight, and we can go over the details?” she asked eagerly.
“I’ll be there.” I hadn’t been to the bar lately, and this wouldn’t be personal. Tonight wasn’t a date, even if our interactions felt a lot like foreplay.
“What are you doing in the meantime? Putting away the bad guys?”
Was she at work, looking out her store window, or curled up on her living room couch? “Nothing that exciting. Interviewing neighbors to find out if they saw who’s putting graffiti around town.”
“Is that still going on?” she asked, her tone tinged with concern.
“This time, it was signs and sidewalks. Mayor Madden isn’t happy.” Anything marring the beautiful landscape of the town was an issue for tourism.
“So, what, you have to knock on doors and interview people?”
“Uh-huh,” I said dryly.
“I guess that’s not your favorite thing to do?”
“I’m not excited about it.”
She laughed, sounding light and free. I wished I were with her so I could see her face, her messy blonde hair that seemingly couldn’t be tamed, and the way her eyes lit up when she was excited about something.
“You’ll get through it, and I’ll see you tonight.”
Her promise warmed my chilled body. “Count on it.”
She clicked off, and I realized I was looking forward to seeing her tonight. To being in her orbit while she talked to Max and the others about her new idea.
Heading back inside, I wondered if raising money for foster care might help her put some of the past behind her. She might feel better by helping others.
I’d become a police officer to atone for my sins, but I wasn’t so sure it had been successful. Instead, I felt stuck.
* * *
I stopped at home to change out of my uniform before heading to Max’s. I didn’t want to be at the bar in any official capacity. I wanted to relax and enjoy a night with friends. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done something like that.
The smell of crab cakes and fries greeted me when I opened the door. The tables in the restaurant were full of families and couples, and every barstool was taken. Our group sat at the end of the bar by the windows. Tonight, everyone was here: Easton, Ethan, Savannah, Hailey, Brooke, Sophie, and Remi.
Seeing Remi’s blonde head thrown back as she laughed at something Max said to her made my stomach dip. I moved in her direction, pausing behind her.
Max nodded when he saw me, and Remi turned slightly to see me. “You made it.”
I leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “You didn’t think I would?”
Her surprised expression told me she didn’t. “I’m glad you are though.”
Resting a hand on her shoulder, I said, “Me too.”
“What are ya having?” Max asked me.
“My usual.”
Max poured me a beer, sliding it across the bar.
