Page 15 of The Spark Between Us

I shrug, trying to play it casual. "Your dad mentioned her a few times."

In reality, I'd memorized every detail Brock ever shared about Ellie's life at college—her roommate Tasha, her psychology professors she admired, her favorite coffee shop near campus where she studied. Each crumb of information about her life away from Cedar Falls felt precious somehow.

"Right," she says, a curious expression crossing her face. "Well, I should let you get to your meeting."

We walk toward the main entrance in silence. The urge to ask when I'll see her again sits on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it back. Thursday. We already arranged Thursday. Asking again would reveal too much.

At the door, she turns to face me. "Thanks for the tour. And for letting me help with the safety demonstrations."

"Thank you for volunteering," I reply formally, aware of eyes on us from across the station. "Your assistance will be valuable."

She rolls her eyes at my professional tone. "And here I thought we were making progress beyond monosyllabic responses."

Before I can reply, she steps closer—too close—and lowers her voice. "For the record, I'm really looking forward to Thursday."

The sincerity in her voice knocks me off balance. I should step back. I should maintain appropriate distance. I should do anything except stand here, caught in her gaze like a deer in headlights.

"Me too," I admit quietly, the truth slipping out before I can stop it.

Her smile blooms, bright and genuine, "See you then, Grant."

She walks out the door with a small wave, leaving me standing there like an idiot, watching her go. Through the window, I see her climb into her car, catch me still watching, and give another little wave before driving away.

"Well, well, well."

I turn to find Max leaning against the wall, arms crossed, shit-eating grin firmly in place.

"Don't start," I warn, heading toward the conference room.

"I didn't say anything," he says innocently, falling into step beside me. "Just observing you giving a very thorough private tour to the Chief's daughter."

"It wasn't private," I counter. "We were in the middle of the station the entire time."

"Uh-huh," Max nods sagely. "And that's why you're blushing right now."

"I'm not—" I start to protest, but the heat in my face betrays me. "The meeting's starting. We should go."

"Whatever you say, boss," Max chuckles. "But for the record? I've never seen you smile that much in all the years I've known you."

I ignore him and stride into the conference room, where Brock is already setting up for the meeting. He looks up as I enter, his expression unreadable.

"Ellie left?" he asks casually.

"Yes, sir," I reply, taking my usual seat. "She mentioned meeting a friend for lunch."

Brock nods. "Tasha. Good kid. Kept Ellie grounded through college." He pauses, studying me. "She enjoyed the tour?"

"Seemed to," I say neutrally, shuffling papers I don't need to look busy.

"Good," is all he says, but something in his tone makes me glance up. He's watching me with that same knowing expression he had at dinner Friday night.

Does he suspect? Has he noticed something in the way I look at Ellie? The thought makes me cold with dread. Brock's friendship means everything to me—I can't lose that. Not even for Ellie.

The room fills with the rest of the command staff, and the meeting begins. I force myself to focus on budgets, training schedules, and equipment maintenance, making appropriate comments when necessary. But in the back of my mind, Thursday looms like both a promise and a threat.

Thursday, when I'll see Ellie again. When we'll be alone together, planning demonstrations that suddenly seem like the flimsiest excuse to spend time in her company.

The meeting ends after an hour, and I gather my notes, intent on retreating to my office to recalibrate my professional boundaries before Thursday.

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