Page 106 of When In Doubt

Iwatch her through the glass for a second as she rubs at her brow. When I look at my mom, I find her already staring at me, her face pulled into a shit-eating grin. I’ve been at the station most of the day, but my mind’s been on her the whole time.

Mom picks up her bag and moves to leave, gesturing at me as she goes. Freya’s eyes meet mine and I’m hit by that feeling that never gets old, that whoosh that starts in my chest and spreads to everywhere I have senses, almost knocking me off my feet. Her frown softens, replaced by the soft smile that I used to think was her being shy, but now I know better. That’s the smile she gives when she’s completely calm, when she feels safest. It makes me prouder than I should admit. That, most of the time, it seems to be reserved just for me.

Mom passes me on the sidewalk, giving me a pat to the chest as she goes, chuckling all the way down the street. Freya and I keep staring at each other, separated by the glass. It feels like days since I last saw her, rather than just hours.

I half stumble toward the door, my arms itching to have her back in them. I move like I’m in a dream until she’s within reach. Then it’s just a hand around her waist, a quick tug, and there she is. Right where she belongs.

“You look like you had the same kind of day as me,” I say into her hair, the strands tickling my face.

She hums her agreement.

All day, people have been asking questions, trying to be casual, that nosy fake-nice that small towns do so well. At least I’m used to it. I don’t have a clue how Freya’s handling all this.

Her face burrows deeper into my neck and I have the urge to scoop her up, to take her somewhere far away from all the prying eyes, somewhere quiet where I can have her all to myself.

I may not be able to do quite that, but I can get pretty close.

“I checked in with Mack, and your building’s been cleared.”

That perks her up. “I can go home?” she says, eyes bright.

“Yeah.” I kiss her rosy cheek. “You want to go now?”

“I just need to close up.” She practically bounces away, checking her watch before she flips the sign over.

I move to the back, grabbing the broom and sweeping in the same pattern I’ve watched whenever she does her closing routine. While I do that, she bustles around me, picking up stray yarn and tidying the shelves. We dance around each other, never once colliding or getting in the way, and in twenty minutes, I’m fastening the last button of her duffel coat and leading her out towards my truck.

“I don’t know why I expected it to look different,” she says quietly as she flicks on the living room light.

“None of the damage made it to this floor.”

“I know, I just expected… well, I’m not really sure.”

I toe off my shoes, lining them up next to hers in the entryway. Freya bustles around, straightening up the trinkets that line the shelves and refolding a blanket left haphazardly on the couch. She seems nervous.

“You want me to head out? Give you the night to yourself so you can settle in?”

I’m halfway through the sentence when she turns to me, scowl in place at the mere suggestion.

“No!” she exclaims. “I mean, not unless you want to go.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“Then stay.”

I smile, heading to where she is and pulling her in for another hug. I’m all over her tonight, but I can’t help it.

“Do you want a drink or something? Dinner? I don’t have much, but maybe I can make something?” she asks.

“I’m good.” I kiss the top of her head. “I can go pick up some takeout later, if you want?”

“Mmmm,” she hums happily. “I could really go for some pizza.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She tugs me over to the couch and nudges my shoulders until I sit. Then, with hesitant movements, almost like she’s waiting for me to tell her no, she climbs into my lap, legs on either side of me. I can’t stop the dopey smile that crosses my face as I pull her close.

I nuzzle against her hairline, breathing in her faint rosy scent. She cuddles closer, resting her head against my shoulder, and I take the chance to toy with the ends of her hair. I’m obsessed with her hair. I can’t stop touching it, always reaching for it whenever she’s close enough.