Page 96 of Love in the Storm

“Please, for the love of all things good, don’t do that in front of the kids,” Jennifer pleaded.

Asa laughed and glanced at the door as Lyric walked in carrying two boxes with a bag resting on top followed by Chief Wright.

Jumping up, he darted over to her. “Hey. What are you doing here?” He pressed a kiss to her lips as he took the load she was carrying.

“I found her wandering around with food, so I had to invite her in,” Chief Wright said.

She brushed a stray hair from her ponytail behind her ear and looked around. Her hair was always incredibly soft, and Asa’s fingers itched to touch it. Today, she wore it pulled up in a high ponytail, exposing the tempting skin of her neck.

“I knew you were working over this afternoon, so I thought I’d bring you dinner.”

“Wow. Thanks.” He jerked his chin toward the break room. “You have time to eat with me?”

She shrugged and fidgeted her hands in front of her. “I guess so. Is that okay?”

“More than okay. Come on.”

“I’ll see you two later,” Chief Wright said. “I have dinner waiting on me at home.”

She fell into step beside Asa, as they headed to the break room. “I told Tracy I was bringing you dinner, and she insisted on sending?—”

“Hey, stranger!” Dawson shouted when he saw Lyric. “What brings you here?”

She jerked a thumb over her shoulder toward Asa. “I brought dinner.”

“For me? That’s so sweet.” Dawson reached for the bags in Asa’s hands.

“Touch my food and die,” Asa said.

“Actually, the doughnuts are for everyone. Tracy sent them,” Lyric added.

“From Sticky Sweets? Did you get a chocolateone?” Dawson asked, already drooling at the mention of doughnuts.

“Dude, just say thank you,” Asa chided.

Dawson slung an arm over Lyric’s shoulders. “She knows I’m joking. I’m glad you stopped by. With or without treats.”

“Thanks.” The tension in her smile was beginning to dissipate. Maybe she’d come by the station more often.

“What’s it like being back here?” Dawson asked. “You know, not in handcuffs?”

“Dawson,” Asa warned. Was he really bringing that up the first time Lyric stopped by to see him at work?

She looked around and shrugged. “It’s a lot different. Brighter.”

“And for the record, I didn’t cuff her. She wasn’t resisting,” Asa added. He’d read that note in the report when he looked up her record.

Lyric rubbed a hand over his shoulder. “Such a gentleman.”

Dawson laughed and waved a hand, coaxing Lyric toward the break room. “Come on. I’ll show you my secret candy stash.”

Asa let out a tentative breath. Maybe the past was really behind them.

Asa scannedthe sea of kids and parents in the church dining hall. Jacob’s party had been a hit, just as he’d expected. His mom and Lyric had gone above and beyond with the food, cake, and games.

One little girl lifted a toy bow and arrow before letting it fly toward the wall. The suction cup stuck right on the horse’s rump where the tail should be. She twirled, squealing as her dad wrapped her in a congratulatory hug.

But where was Jacob? It was his party. He should be hanging out with the other kids.

---