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Not an excuse to get close enough to smell the hint of her lavender soap.Sure.

I cleared my throat and worried she’d think I was sick if I couldn’t get my body under control. My coughing and throat clearing were sure to send the wrong message if I wasn’t careful.

We stepped outside into the brisk evening. Winter was fading into spring, which usually meant rain and more overcast days in the northwest, but today had been one of those perfect, puffy cloud and blue sky afternoons. Minus the wind blowing off the Sound, it’d be pleasant down by the waterfront.

I found parking in one of the gravel lots on Front Street, and we crossed to pick up the path full of joggers, walkers, and other couples out for an early evening stroll along the water. The fading light glinted off the rippling waves, and I glanced at Andi out of the corner of my eye. Her focus was on a container ship nearing the port, and I searched her expression for signs of discomfort.

“Are you warm enough?”

Her lips turned up at my concerned tone, her dark eyes sparkling when she examined my face.

“Have you always been so solicitous? I vaguely remember overhearing an argument between you and Jess in high school when you refused to give her your letter jacket.”

The reminder that Andi knew most of the things about me, and we had a shared history, was both exciting and daunting. Would she like the changes? Approve? Or turn her back once she realized I wasn’t the good-time jock I once was? I liked to think I was a better, humbler version of myself. Except when it came to competing with her.

Her playful expression had sobered during my silence, and I rushed to fill in the gap, going for rueful.

“I like to think I’ve learned a few things since high school.”

Her lip quirked. “Oh, yeah? You going to tell me all the things you’velearned?”

Reassured that we were back on playful footing, I couldn’t resist amping up my anticipation and hers. “I’d much rather show you,” I husked, grasping the edges of her wool jacket and pulling her into the shelter of my body on the side of the path.

Andi tilted her chin up, and I took it as the invitation I’d been hoping for, leaning down to brush my lips across hers.

“Sunshine, I’ve learned all kinds of things I’d like to show you,” I growled in her ear, smiling at her shiver in response. Recalling the steady stream of pedestrians brushing past us, I tamped down the desire cuddling her close elicited. “But half of them would get us arrested here. And tonight’s plans don’t include handcuffs.” I paused, letting my words sink in. “I want to save those for our second date.”

Andi chuckled, and I pulled away reluctantly, struggling to tear my gaze from the sweet curve of her lips.

Andi shivered, and we turned around on the path, heading back toward the restaurant. As much as I wanted her reaction to signal desire, I had a feeling she was also actually cold. Bayside Seafood had a rustic exterior. Cedar shingles covered the outer walls, helping shelter it from the elements where it sat exposed on its own pier over the water. The interior was blessedly warm after the cutting wind, and the host showed us to a table by the windows with a smile.

Dinner was everything I’d hoped. A mashup of friends getting to know each other after years apart, with the tingle of possibility highlighting every revelation. Andi listened as I talked about my soccer days, asking insightful questions as I transitioned to talking about the 911 center.

“What’s your mix of calls like?”

“This time of year? Mostly vehicular accidents on icy roads. The occasional carbon monoxide poisoning.” I sobered, thinking of the family we’d rushed to the hospital. Some mistakes couldn’t be undone.

“Is it difficult?” she asked.

Her liquid brown eyes drew all my feelings to the surface. The inadequacy, the powerlessness.

“Yes,” I admitted on an exhale. “I love helping people, but some days I question if I am.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just a voice on the phone. I can’t actuallydoanything.”

“Ty, that’snottrue. Dispatching resources isdoingsomething. You’re getting them help. Being the reassuring voice on the phone, keeping people calm, isdoingsomething. I know hearing your strong voice on the phone during an emergency would be a lifeline if it were me. You forget, I saw you when Ted collapsed. Without you giving us instructions, he might not have made it.”

I didn’t believe her, but it was clear from the sincerity in Andi’s expression that she did. Seeing the approval in her expression, the admiration, soothed a phantom ache. I might not be a soccer player any longer, but Andi hadn’t liked that version of me. The man I’d become, she respected. Cared for.

Would her view of me as a hero survive learning about Rosie?

Things were so new, but so amazing between us, could I risk it?

“The calls can’t all be bad. I bet you have your share of funny situations.”

I shook my head, dispelling thoughts of secrets. Her change of subject confirmed that Andi wasn’t ready for my skeletons; she was interested in my stories.