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Sebastian
There’s nothing to worry about?
Famous last words.
The level of bullshit pouring out of my mouth this morning must be directly related to the punch I took last night.
I’m not a liar yet I’m sitting in this diner telling a woman I’m falling head over heels for that I’m going to be fine when this ends.
My intention when I started the conversation was to discuss how we would tell Maya and Julian that we are seeing each other.
It drifted into something else at Matilda’s beckoning. She made it clear that she sees an expiration date for us.
I can’t consider that possibility yet because I can still taste her on my lips.
I bow my head in an effort to keep my composure.
“Jo,” Matilda calls out. “There you are.”
I’d heard her ask for the owner when we first arrived and the woman behind the counter had told her that Jo was out running an errand.
Disappointment washed over Matilda’s expression but that quickly morphed into satisfaction when she ordered her breakfast. I insisted she order for me too.
She did. I just polished off a plate of eggs, bacon and hash browns.
“Tilly, it’s so good to see you.” Jo approaches from the left with her arms outstretched. She slows as she nears our table. “And Detective Wolf?”
Matilda’s gaze bounces from my face to Jo’s. “You two know each other?”
Jo’s hand lands on my shoulder. She gives it a light squeeze. “This one saved my life.”
I place my hand over hers as I look up into her face. Her brown hair is tied back into a low ponytail. Her mascara is smeared but her eyes have the same kindness that’s always been there.
“You’re exaggerating.”
She steps away from me so she’s closer to Matilda. “When he was a beat cop in the neighborhood, he’d stop in for breakfast. “
“A beat cop?” Matilda’s brow furrows.
“I patrolled the neighborhood on foot early in my career.” I look out at the sidewalk beyond the windows. “I walked past this place for three weeks before I sat down at that counter.”
“I was just about to close down.” Jo hangs her head. “Business was bad. I told him as much and the next day he had every cop in the city lined up outside.”
I scratch my chin. “Now you really are exaggerating. I asked a few guys from the station to stop by. Word spread and they all had a good meal.”
“I got a second chance.” Jo sighs. “I was an overnight success because of you.”
I nod at the empty plate in front of me. “The food is the key to your success, Jo. You can’t keep them coming back unless you’re serving what they want.”
“I’m grateful for you sending them my way in the first place.” She reaches to pick up my plate. “I see that things haven’t changed since you made detective.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Someone clocked you in the face.” Her finger brushes the tip of her nose. “They did a good job. Are you all right?”
I look over at Matilda and the wide grin she flashes. “I’ve never been better.”
Jo’s gaze volleys between the two of us. “Friends or more?”
“Both,” I answer quickly, not wanting to hear Matilda categorize me as strictly her friend.
“Good.” Jo reaches to pick up my coffee mug. “I think I’m looking at a match made in heaven.”
“What?” Matilda asks with a nervous tremor in her voice.
“You’re an angel.” Jo smiles down at Matilda before she looks at me. “You’re a hero. You two belong together.”
Matilda waits until Jo walks away before she speaks. “I should take off. I promised Kate I’d stop by her shop today to help with a delivery. I’ll see you at home later?”
“Sure.” I nod. “I’ll pick up the check.”
“You did last time.” She fumbles in her bag for her wallet. “It’s my turn. We split all expenses, remember?”
I don’t need a reminder of what I said. I want to pay for the meal, and hold her hand as we go to the clinic. I want to take her home and back to my bed for the rest of the day. For all the days, and nights. Maybe forever.
“I’ll be home in a couple of hours.” She stands and leans toward me, but stops herself.
I watch her walk over to Jo, push a few bills into her hand and then leave without looking back.
