Page 75 of Branded Hearts

“It is. You get the full spectrum—from genuine mistakes to people just being plain reckless. It’s a mix of frustration and fascination. Keeps me on my toes.”

It’s not like me to have conversations about my day, or work in general, but I find myself freely opening up to Amelia.

It feels... natural.

Without hesitation, I answer, “I like the hands-on stuff, anything that requires my full attention. As a Senior Constable with the NSW Police, I usually lead the boys on bigger operations. I handle everything from organising raids to coordinating with other units.”

I glance at her, noting the awe in her expression. “Even though I’m up in the ranks, I still like to get out on the field with Daniels for general duties. There’s something about the adrenaline, the strategy... I enjoy the thrill of it all. Keeps me sharp.”

Her genuine interest catches me off guard. Most people either nod politely or change the subject, but she’s different. She actually cares about what I do, about who I am.

Feeling this kind of connection so soon is so unexpected for me, but it’s also refreshing. It makes me want to open up and share morewith her.

“Can you see yourself doing that for the rest of your life?” she asks, her curiosity evident.

“You mean being a police officer?” I raise an eyebrow.

She smiles, the kind without showing teeth, the kind that reaches the eyes. “Sorry, I meant being a Senior Constable.”

I chuckle softly. “To move up in the ranks from this position, I’d need to be awarded a promotion. That would place me as Sergeant. So, I wouldn’t be out in the field as much. I’d be working with a logistics team and coordinating things from behind the scenes.”

She tilts her head slightly, clearly intrigued. “Do you think you’d like that?”

I pause, considering her question. “It’d be different. Less action, more strategy. But who knows? I might actually enjoy the change. It’s all part of the job, right?”

She nods thoughtfully, her gaze never leaving mine. “I think you’d be great at it, no matter what you do.”

Just as the moment lingers, the waitress arrives with our plates of food. Amelia’s eyes light up at the sight, her excitement contagious. She’s so cute.

She politely thanks the waitress, and I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

“You must have some incredible stories,” she says, her voice tinged with wonder.

“Yeah, there are a few. Maybe I’ll tell you some of them one day.”

“I’d like that,” she replies softly.

As we start eating, I watch her, fascinated by the way she immerses herself in the moment. She seems to savour every bite, her eyes twinkling with delight. It’s these little things that draw me closer to her.

At this moment in time, I realise just how much I want to spend more time with her.

There’s something about Amelia that feels right, like she fits perfectly into my life in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

23

Conversations In The Dark - JohnLegend

The plates have been cleared away. My glass has been refilledtwice, yet Bradley remains on his first bottle of beer. Surprisingly, our conversation flows effortlessly, with me doing most of the talking. Big shocker there, right? But it’s different tonight.

He’s opened up more than I’ve ever seen him, and it’s amazing. Underneath all that gruff, there’s a genuinely kind-hearted man. I feel a sense of pride knowing I might be the only person who gets to see this side of him. It’s like a privilege, and I’m grateful he’s chosen to share this with me.

As the minutes tick by, my phone screen flashes 7:15 PM.

We’ve been engrossed in conversation for nearly an hour, and neither of us has hinted at leaving. I wonder if I’m babbling on too much, filling the air with more stories about my kindergarteners—not exactly the typical dinner date conversation, right?

But Bradley seems engaged, and that surprises me. Maybe he finds my tales amusing, or maybe... just maybe, he’s enjoying this as much as I am. His eyes, usually guarded, reflect genuine interest and warmth.

It’s a side of Bradley Mitchell I never expected to see, and yet here we are, sharing this moment.

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