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I’m shaking my head before she’s done. “I promise I’m fine.”

Anders’ eyes assess me carefully. “This isn’t up for debate, Alex. Collect your stuff and I’ll see you in two weeks, okay? That’s an order.”

The way she looks at me lets me know there isn’t any room for further argument. Even if it’s the last thing I want to do, I also know she’s right and the more I’m distracted, the more people will wonderwhyI’m distracted.

I nod once. “Of course. Thank you, Chief.”

With that, I know I’ve been dismissed, but when I turn to leave, she stops me. “Oh, and Alex? If you need anything, just let me know. We’re all here for you.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I say quietly before heading back down to my desk.

Kane is still at his desk, doing another crossword, this time from the Senna Daily Post.

“Hosiery material, five letters,” he says without looking up.

“Nylon,” I murmur, closing my laptop and packing it into my bag.

“Where would I be without you?” he says, writing the letters down. When I hoist my bag up on my shoulder, he raises his brow curiously. “Going somewhere?”

“Anders knows about Halle,” I sigh. “She thinks I’ve been distracted, and a few other people have noticed too. So, she asked me to take two weeks out.”

“Suspension?” he asks, his frown deepening into thin lines on his tan forehead.

“No, just a break.”

“Shit, that’s lucky, right? If you’re not suspended, it means you’re still getting paid, and your file stays clean.” He’s right, and it does give me time to untangle everything going on with Haze. I still hate that I’m being forced to do it.

“I know,” I say.

“You’re great at what you do, and the team will miss you, but two weeks out will be good for you. Plus, it gives you time to…” he trails, but I know what he means. It gives me time to find out who is behind Haze. “Why don’t we head to The Mast tonight and have a couple of drinks? It’ll get your mind off things. Ask Halle to come along too.”

“Yeah, maybe. I’ll let you know.”

Kane gives me a quick salute and I make my way back home, reminding myself that this isn’t a suspension, and I need the break.

Only, when I get back to my apartment, there is a brown paper bag on the floor outside my front door. I pause; my bag hoisted up to my shoulder. I gingerly crouch to pick it up and when I assess the contents inside, something inside me comes undone completely.

A smile creeps up on my face unexpectedly as I pick out three bags of sour gummies. Apple, cherry and assorted.

There is a note at the bottom.

You were running out.

Thought you might want more - R

I push my door open, still unable to suppress the grin on my face. It feels like forever ago that I was buying bags of cherry flavoured gummies that reminded me of the lady down the street in Canning. When I was with Rowan, I always made sure he had a bag of them in his apartment, forcing him to venture outside whenever I ran out. Maybe it’s silly thatthisis what gets my stomach fluttering with butterflies and hope, but Rowan remembering that part of our relationship makes it feel real.

Maybe it wasn’t all a lie.

Maybe he’s telling the truth.

Maybe he isn’t,a voice whispers in the back of my head, but I quickly push it away.

Pulling out my phone, I click on his number, swallowing down my nerves. He answers on the second ring, and I can hear the smile in his voice when he says a quiet hello.

“Hi,” I say, sounding more breathless than I intended. “How did you know I was running out of my cherry sours?”

He laughs, and it sends a ripple up my spine. I feel like a teenager, and I don’t know how to make it stop. It’s always felt like this with him. I was constantly a breathless mess, wrapped up in his charm and attention. I’m older now, but clearly it hasn’t gone away.