Page 119 of Callahan

“And youhave gotto stop watching TV crime dramas!”

“Never! It’s my guilty pleasure.”

“They’re so unrealistic. You need to go on a ride along and see what it’s really like.”

“You’ve said so yourself, it’s pretty boring in Haven Springs.”

“Knock on wood. Your stalker and Adam’s assailant are enough excitement around here to last a while.”

“Anyway… your rookie? Did you drop him off outside of town in some sort of hazing ritual?”

“No, the Chief frowns upon that. He’s making sure his keys work next door. I think he’s probably walking through while he’s alone to get a better feel for the place. It’s hard to open closets and cabinets when you have Sylvia following you around.”

“Speaking of Sylvia…”

“Drop it, Lainey.”

“I’m just saying, there seemed to be some underlying animosity between you two.”

“Not on my part. I’m over it. She made her decision; it’s not my problem if she’s not happy with who she chose.”

“Fair enough. Consider it dropped. So, is Adam moving into the Garcia’s?”

“He mentioned he’d rather keep staying here until you go back to your apartment. Something about needing to be here for Conor’s three a.m. feeding?”

“He doesn’t have to keep doing that,” I murmured as I lifted the blanket and looked at my baby boy.

“I get the impression it’s not a hardship for him.”

“Yeah. He says they bonded their first night over poop and vomit. I have to admit, Conor’s really calm in his presence.”

“Conor seems to be a pretty chill baby, anyway. He’s a lot like his dad that way.”

“That’s true.”

We were quiet for a moment while I think we both remembered instances when Shawn was easygoing.

Finally, Brian broke the silence. “For what it’s worth, I think Adam will be a good influence in Conor’s life.”

“Yeah,” I replied wistfully. “I do, too.”

Meanwhile, I’d have to figure out a way to get over my feelings for him.

Maybe a date with Justin was just what the doctor ordered. Now I needed to see if he followed through.

****

Adam

We finished our shift on time at seven that night, and Brian asked if I wanted to grab dinner.

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Call Lainey and see if she’s eaten, and if she hasn’t, ask her what she wants.”

I could feel him studying me for a second before he said, “Yeah, okay.”

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