Page 15 of Brittle Heart

I give a noncommittal shrug, not wanting to hand him any fodder to tease me with for days. “She seems nice.”

His grin widens devilishly as he says, “Nothing on that girl is nice. She is a feisty little thing. But that gets you off. So much so you asked her to marry you.”

I huff at him. “She managed to insult you without even trying. I think that alone makes her worth keeping around.”

“Jerk,” he retorts, setting off Sophia’s laughter again.

* * *

Carolina

“Lina?” Howie questions, surprised as he lifts his gaze from his lap to me.

“Here,” I say, tossing him a sandwich packet as I sit next to him on the ground.

“Why are you here during the day?” he asks, looking puzzled.

“I started an internship with the NYPD today. They let me leave early, so I thought maybe you’d have time to grab dinner with me before my shift starts,” I say.

He smiles. “I think I can squeeze you into my busy schedule, kiddo.” He opens the sandwich packet, inhaling deeply before turning back to me. “Thank you.”

I return his smile. “Yeah, I figured you might want a break from burgers for once, so I picked up some sandwiches on my way.” I take a bite of my egg sandwich.

“I like the burgers.” He shrugs, taking a bite as well.

“You’ll get one later tonight, but for now, it’s this,” I say. I open my sandwich to inspect its contents and grimace. “Ugh, who puts pickles on an egg sandwich?”

Howie laughs and opens his sandwich too, so I place my unwanted pickle into his. “You learn to eat anything when you’ve had to for long enough.”

“I know, I know, but there are limits.” I shudder.

“So, you’re interning with the cops?” he asks.

I nod, taking a moment to swallow before responding, “Yep. I’m working in the Crime Analysis Unit, but yeah, it’s with the cops. I just handle tasks in the lab.”

“Good for you. I’m not a fan of those asshats, but good for you.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, some of them are asshats for sure, but not all of them. I like it so far. We’ll see how it goes.”

Once I finish my sandwich, I glance at my phone. If I start walking now, I’ll make it to the bar just in time. I stand, collecting Howie’s trash along with mine. “I’ll see you later?”

“Don’t let them get to you,” he mumbles.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Carolina

“That badge is not valid, ma’am.”

I’ve never been called ma’am before, and I’m not sure if I like it.

“It has to be valid, though. The receptionist made it for me just yesterday.”

The officer on security duty tries scanning it again, but the sound the machine makes isn’t reassuring. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you have to go through the security check with the visitors.”

I bite my lip. Everything is going wrong. I’m going to be late on my second day too. It’s just perfect. If I keep messing up like this, Sophia will definitely take back her job offer.

“We can bring her in with us, Joey,” a kind voice says behind me. I turn around and look up at Josh. “She’s Sophia’s new intern. I can vouch for her.”

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