Page 16 of Phoenix Rising

"I would need to check my schedule." Lucinda went to pull out her phone but was met with a blank screen. "Shit."

"Language, Lucinda." Becky climbed into her car, leaning out the window. "Tentative yes to Friday?"

"Tentative yes." Lucinda smiled.

Becky waited a moment before saying, "Get in your car so I know you're safe. I can't leave a lady at an abandoned gas station at night. I have a reputation to uphold."

That devilish smirk again.

"Oh right! Thanks again! Um, bye!" Lucinda got into her car, starting it up.

Once Lucinda eased out of the lot, Becky's Jeep turned in the opposite direction and disappeared into the trees.

Lucinda's face felt hot the whole drive home.

"What do I owe you?" she mocked herself. "Sounds like I'm in a porno."

When she finally got inside her apartment, she plugged in her phone and immediately stripped out of her disgusting clothes. Lucinda realized that she still had Becky's big fire jacket that smelled faintly of smoke. She guessed she would have to stop by the firehouse sometime this week. She smiled to herself as she carefully folded the jacket and padded into the bedroom.

After her bath, she felt a little better and decided to have that wine she had been dreaming about all day when her phone interrupted her train of thought. She picked up to see she had a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: U make it home ok?

Unknown: This is Chief Thompson.

Unknown: Becky

Becky must have kept her business card fromthat morning. Lucinda curled up on the couch, her stomach fluttering against her better wishes.

Lucinda: Yes I'm alive.

Becky: Good. Have a gr8 nite!

Lucinda laughed at the stupid text lingo Becky used. She was so dominating and serious in person, but over text, she shortened the word 'great.'

Lucinda: I still have your jacket. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take it hostage.

Becky: No worries. Bring it by the station 2morrow

Lucinda: Deal

Lucinda: Good night

She smiled like an idiot at her phone and felt giddy for the first time in years. She wondered if this was a stupid idea to have a crush on her colleague, but she didn't really care at the moment. All she wanted to do was wrap herself in the smell of vanilla and oak and smoke and wait anxiously for her alarm to sound.

5

BECKY

Becky's leg bounced underneath her desk. She was trying to read the papers before her, but her mind kept returning to that pretty doctor. Becky had been driving home from her shift when she passed that lot where Lucinda was stranded. She debated just offering to call her a tow truck, but for some reason, Becky wanted to help her. It might have been the way Lucinda had stomped her legs and screamed at her car. Becky found it amusing to see her so disheveled, and for once, Becky was the put-together one.

She liked that Lucinda let her help, even if Lucinda had thought negatively about her. Becky was utterly shocked when Lucinda even apologized for the way she had stormed into her office.Against her will, she had softened toward her, especially when she learned why Lucinda was trying to make a new life in America—away from her ex-girlfriend.

Becky smiled to herself. So Lucindawasinto women. As soon as Lucinda had said that, Becky mentioned her ex-wife, which Lucinda had seemed very interested in.

Her foot tapped against the leg of her chair monotonously. She hadn't forgotten to ask for her jacket back; she just wanted to see Lucinda again. Wanted a casual interaction to get to know her more. God, what was she doing? Was she flirting? Was she attracted to Lucinda?

Becky had spent all morning cleaning her office. She had seen how Lucinda had looked around it, and she was not about to be embarrassed again.

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