Page 142 of The Rookie

She shrugs, almost nervously. "I haven’t even secured the position yet. I don’t want to count my chickens before they’re hatched."

I shake my head, stepping closer, my voice firm. "And that’s the difference between you and me, Sinclair."

Her eyes narrow slightly, curious. "What’s that, exactly?"

"When I want something, I see it as mine. And nothing will stand in my way."

Her breath catches, just barely.

I lower my voice, keeping my gaze locked on hers. "And for you? I know you’ll get the position. They’d be stupid not to take you."

She swallows, her lips parting slightly, her voice almost a whisper. "You really believe that?”

"Yes. And you better, too. Because you’re fucking awesome."

She smiles then—a real, genuine smile—and it hits me right in the chest.

"It was fun," she says softly.

"Yeah," I murmur. "It was."It.Whateveritwas. I still haven’t quite figured that out.

She leans in, her breath brushing against my ear, her voice a low, teasing whisper.

"And just so you know…I’m still green leaves with you…if we meet again some day. If I go red roses, I’ll let you know."

The words hit me like a truck, but before I can even process them—before I can ask her what the hell she means by that?—

"Everything okay, you two?" Cassie’s voice cuts through the moment, and we both turn to see her walking toward us, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Avery straightens instantly, her face going blank. "Yeah. Everything’s fine."

"Just waiting for the bathroom," I add, forcing a grin.

Cassie points toward the door. "Looks like it’s open now."

I nod, clearing my throat. "Right. Heading in. Now."

As I step away, I glance back at Avery one more time.

She’s watching me, her expression unreadable, her lips still curved in that knowing little smirk—the one that’s been haunting me all week, the one that dares me to say the things I’m too much of a coward to say out loud.

Her eyes catch mine for just a moment, and I feel something shift in my chest.

Something dangerous.

Something I’ve been trying to ignore.

But as I step into the bathroom and let the door close behind me, the truth settles in, heavy and inescapable.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting her.

Not tomorrow when she leaves for DC.

Not next month when she’s halfway across the world.

Not ever.

When I get back to the table, the energy is brighter, lighter—at least for them. Cassie is grinning, waving down the server, and Avery is laughing softly at something she said.

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