Page 34 of Professional Consult

“Now, what?”

“Now I’m going to teach you how to file a police report.”

Somehow I doubt paperwork is going to help my cause.

CHAPTER9

LUKE

I have never been late for the station a day in my life.

But that was before Miss Hollywood showed up in town.

She slides into the passenger side of my cruiser, where I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes.

“I thought you were following me to the car.”

Her brow skews. “I did.”

“Twenty minutes later is not following.”

I back out of my driveway, hurrying down the street.

“I’m late because of you.”

“Does it matter? Aren’t you the chief of police in a tiny town?”

“It matters to me,” I grind through gritted teeth.

She’s wearing the black leggings I picked out of the bargain bin at the general store and one of my flannel shirts on top. Another item that will never again see the inside of a washing machine.

That I’m sitting here thinking such thoughts draws my ire. I hardly know Lexi, and I can’t say I like the Hollywood type, but having her here, in my town, in my damn home, makes everything so damn complicated.

I don’t want to like her, and I certainly don’t want to accommodate her, but there’s an undeniable draw to being a provider. To seeing to her needs.

Last night, that was with a trip to the store and picking up dinner. Simple acts that fed my soul. Now, seeing her in my passenger seat, her hair in a messy bun, I don’t see her as the golden girl with all the shiny statues.

I see her as what I’ll never get to have. The life that got away from me. The happy ending meant for someone else.

She licks her lips, which should be a crime in my cock’s presence.

“Can you hurry? I’m hungry.”

I lower my brow. “Just where the hell do you think we’re going?”

“The police station, but after that, the diner.”

“Woooow,”I drawl. “You’re real mission-focused today. Can’t wait to get that training in.”

“Um, is there a problem?”

“You’ve made yourself pretty comfortable in the short time you’ve been here.”

“You’re taking issue because I like the people and places of Pond Spring?”

“No. It’s just annoying.”

She shoots me a perturbed look.