Page 55 of No Sweet Goodbyes

This is my purpose.

When the last engine returns to the station and the last officer signs off from the scene, I take the first deep breath.

“That was crazy.” Wiping my forehead, I realize that at some point, I must have started sweating.

“Stress response,” Poppy says quietly as she offers me a paper towel. “I sweat when I’m stressed, too.”

I’ve barely pulled the paper towel out of my shirt from wiping my armpits before the door to dispatch opens and Dom walks in with a dirt-streaked face. The new detective, Logan Pierce, follows him in, and Poppy freezes.

“Get out,” she bites out icily. “Right now.”

Dom stops, looking at her like he’s afraid she’ll hit him if he so much as breathes in her direction. “What did I do?” He doesn’t take another step into the room, even though his eyes seek me out.

“She’s talking to me.” Logan sighs. “Come on, Poppy. I made a mistake. I just came to check on you.”

“You didn’t make a mistake,” Poppy counters. “You sabotaged my date last night, and you know it. I know it. Hell, half the town knows it. Go. Before I put you on all the shit calls for a month just because I can.”

“I already get all the shit calls,” Logan points out. “I’m the low man on the totem pole. But I’ll go. For now. Are you okay, though? I wanted to check on you after the rush.” His voice changes, and his features soften when he is talking to her, and my heart melts for the man.

“I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Now go.” Poppy points at the door, and Logan walks out, but not without looking back more than once.

Dom stares at me with his lips pressed together and wide eyes, but he doesn’t say a word.

“I’m hungry,” I tell him bluntly. “I didn’t get to have breakfast. Will you grab me something?”

He nods. “You in dispatch all day today?”

“Yeah.” I pull out my phone and check the schedule that the chief gave me at the start of the week. “Until this afternoon. But my stomach is gonna eat itself if I don’t get something soon.”

“Too much cardio.” Dom winks and then walks out with a wave. “I’ll grab you some tacos.”

“It’s not even noon,” Poppy says when he is gone. “How’s he gonna get you tacos? Nowhere good is open.”

I snort. “That man isn’t gonna buy me tacos. He’s gonna call his mom and I bet she’s going to bring enough food to feed an army because that’s what I’d do if I were in his shoes.”

Not even a half hour passes before the entrance to the station opens and Alta walks in with her purse. Behind her marches in Bee, Vi, Alice, and another brown-haired woman who has to be the elusive Delia Ortiz.

“Buzz me in, mija,” Alta orders through the glass. “Me and the girls brought food.” She doesn’t even falter as she carries everything into the building.

Poppy hits the green button that unlocks the door so fast that my head spins. “That’s a lot of food,” she whispers.

“She’s a mom,” I explain needlessly. “I’m sure Dom told her that everyone is hungry.” I get up and hug Alta when she is done holding the door for the girls to carry in all the food. “Thank you so much.”

“De nada, mija. Dominic called and said that you are all hungry after helping with the fire call. I brought enough for everyone.”

I look at Poppy over my shoulder. “Told you.”

“Yeah, you did.”

Dom pops into the doorway with a plate full of food and a smile on his face almost as soon as his mom walks away.

“Thank you, Dom.” I grab one of the tortillas and roll it up, immediately shoving it into my mouth. “I think I’m hangry.”

“I’m about ten stages past hangry.” Poppy laughs.

Dom leaves after giving me a wink, and Poppy sighs dreamily. “I miss the days of young love.”

“You’re not old,” I counter.

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