Page 25 of Nothing At All

The realization lodged a knot in my stomach. Pizza and a movie sounded great in theory, an idea that meant I didn’t have to deal with Nicole.

Didn’t have to think past tonight.

Which was good, because right now I didn’t want to think about other nights when he might belong to someone else.

Chapter Eight

Dan

Standing on the corner of Scott and Broad, I crossed my arms and watched the last of the parade floats rumble through the intersection, Mel’s patrol unit bringing up the rear, blue lights sparking in the weak afternoon sunlight. My car waited in front of Hodges, and my thoughts drifted to the window display I’d perused after I swung out of my unit to take up my spot along the state championship celebration parade route.

Diamond rings shared space with earrings and necklaces, a couple of bracelets, silver and gold and gemstones glimmering behind the spotless glass.

I’d been thinking about jewelry and Lila for days. I wanted to get her something nice, something to show how I valued her, how invested I was in her. Problem was, I didn’t know where to start. I’d started a couple of texts to Lydia and EmmaLee, then erased them. If I asked them, they’d take over.

And I needed to do this myself.

Thumbs tucked in my duty belt, I ambled toward my car, gaze tracking over the jewelry once more. My shoulders slumped. No freaking clue.

“You’re overthinking it.” Josh clapped my shoulder, and I caught a glimpse of his grin in the window reflection.

“Yeah.”

“Overthinking what?” Vic Ocampo shut the driver’s door to her unit and joined us.

I cast a speculative glance over her, from her blonde hair smoothed into a tight bun to her spotless uniform. “Hey, you’re a girl.”

She raised a brow.

“Woman.” I waved a hand between us. “You know what I mean.”

Friendly amusement flashed over her face. “I do.”

“Thinking about buying my girlfriend a piece of jewelry–”

“Oof.”

I tilted my head back. “What?”

“That’s ambitious.”

“The word is permanent.”

“Well, semi-permanent.” The corners of her lips tipped upward, and she tapped her left shoulder. “Tattoos are permanent.”

“I’m not buying a ring.” Yet, anyway. “But I want her to have something nice, something that shows what she means. More than flowers, you know?”

Josh rolled his eyes. Vic softened, less cop and more approving acquaintance, a warm light in her green gaze. She crossed her arms. “Tell me about her.”

“She’s fantastic.” I straightened my stance, warmth spreading through my chest at the mere thought of Lila. “Smart, ambitious. Patient and honest.”

“None of that was physical.” Vic slugged my biceps. “Good job.”

“He’s not a dog, Ocampo.”

“No, he’s not.” Vic fluttered a hand toward the first responders gathered in small groups like ours along the sidewalks. “Some of these guys could take a clue from him.”

Josh snorted. “You’re hooking up with Roman Santillan.”