Page 53 of Forged in Steele

“You’re still not close?” she asked, glad to change the focus to him.

“Nothing’s really changed. They’re both set on becoming super rich like our parents and living a lavish lifestyle. That’s not me. Not in the least. They don’t understand me, and honestly, I don’t understand them.”

“You fit better with the Steele family,” she said without thinking. “We’re all about service.”

“I once thought the same thing.” The light turned green, and he started through the intersection.

What would it be like to take him to one of the family Sunday dinners at her grandparents’ house? They were so very perceptive, and they already knew there was something going on between her and Jared. Teagan had confirmed that she knew too. And by now, her grandparents could’ve told others. She’d asked them not to, but her grandad wasn’t as sharp as he used to be, and he would slip up. If not today, tomorrow, or the next day.

Would they think less of Jared? Maybe they would understand his need to immerse himself in the Navy. Maybe they would think more highly of him because he didn’t try to succeed at both things and potentially fail at one.

Still, he’d hurt her. That alone would be a huge strike against him.

She looked down, her eyes on the ring again.

“You seem uncomfortable wearing a wedding ring,” Jared said. “Is it because it’s supposedly the ring uniting us?”

“Maybe,” she said. “I’m honestly not sure.”

“Are you dating someone and it feels like a betrayal?”

“No.” She resisted sighing. “I pretty much gave up on dating. Demands of my patrol job and all.” She slipped her hand under her thigh to keep from looking at the ring. “Then there’s the fact that it’s hard to find a guy who understands the immense mental strain of a law enforcement job. The only ones who understand are other law enforcement officers.”

He took a long look at her. “And you don’t want to date someone in the field?”

“Absolutely not!” Oh, wow. She’d basically just told him he was off-limits.Good.That should help protect her from his charms.

“And why’s that?” Disappointment had crept into his tone.

“The job takes a toll on officers, sure, but not only them. Their spouses too. I’m sure you’ve seen the high rate of divorce in the field. I’ve seen it challenge my family at times too. That’s one of the reasons I’m leaving the job.” She crossed her arms and eyed him. “I don’t want anything to do with it or have it in my life except with my family members who choose to remain in law enforcement.”

“Wow.” He shook his head. “You really are adamant about it.”

“I am,” she said, but had she just gone on autopilot in her response? Spouted what she’d believed for years? Maybe using it to put up a wall to keep Jared at arm’s length? After reconnecting with Jared, she had to admit to feeling a little less sure of her decision.

“I’m not ready to settle down either,” she added, clearly feeling the need to add to her prior comments in case he could refute them. “My family didn’t want to add another position to the company right now, but I promised to pay for myself by signing big contracts.”

“Like the hospital?”

“Yeah. Like the hospital.” She didn’t want to talk about that either. Besides, she’d missed an opportunity to discover if he was dating. “What about you? In a relationship?”

“Not currently.” He kept his attention pinned to the road. “As you say, the demands of a law enforcement job have been tough on my dating life. Foiled two relationships already. So I’m taking a break. Maybe permanently.”

She nodded. She got it. Completely. Was even living her life the same way.

But it was sad to see another person struggling with the same issue. If she was willing to admit it, which was questionable right now, even sadder that it put an end to her fantasies of rekindling her relationship with this fine man.

11

Jared took a seat next to Bristol and across the rich walnut desk from Everett Holloway. The man wasn’t exactly what Jared had expected. He’d figured Holloway would be a smarmy guy with a trashy office. At least that was what Jared had thought a baby stealer and seller would look like.

Holloway was the direct opposite. He had a stylish haircut, his silvery hair messy with gel. He wore a tailored suit and crisp white shirt and sat behind a massive desk in a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows. His wall held his law diploma, and his photo with several local officials.

No hint of his nefarious work. Not one single hint.

Holloway linked his hands together on the desk and gave a toothy smile, revealing perfectly aligned white teeth. “I appreciate the Wetzels referring you. How are they doing with their son?”

“Hard not to be doing okay when your dreams have come true.” Bristol smiled, crossed her legs, and sat back as if visiting a friend.

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