Page 68 of Phoenix

Chapter 17

Nora

“Holy shit!” I say as Arya wiggles and dances in the back seat of the car. “She’s really excited, huh?”

“This is her favorite place in the world,” he says, as he pulls up to a meter alongside Forsyth Park.

“I’ve seen this place as we’ve driven by a time or two, but I’ve never stopped.” I lean over to look out his window. “It’s beautiful.”

Forsyth Park is a large, rectangular park in the heart of Savannah. It’s lined with oak trees that have beautiful Spanish moss hanging from the limbs and bookended by a stunning white fountain and a small event center.

“Wait until you see the fountain up close. It’s actually spectacular, but don’t tell anyone I said that. I have a man card to keep.” He winks at me.

“My lips are sealed.” I mime zipping my lips and tossing away the key.

“Oh, I hope not. Those lips are pretty amazing too.” He smiles wide and exits the car before I can even reply, leaving me with a goofy grin and an ache between my thighs.

He opens the back door to let Arya out and she obeys perfectly, listening to every word he says intently.

I climb out of the car and straighten the bun, which resides atop my head, as I round to his side so we can cross the street. It’s hot as hell, literally, in Georgia this time of year so I opted for denim cutoffs, a blue racerback tank top, and a black, lacy bralette underneath. Is it a little much for the park? Maybe, but what fun is it if I can’t make him drool a little?

And it’s working, too. I’ve caught him staring a few times. I mentally fist bump the air, The Breakfast Club style.

“I still can’t believe how well-behaved she is,” I say, as we make our way across the street and into the grassy main area of the park.

“She has to be to be an officer, but she also knows if today is a good day, she’ll be rewarded.”

“Do you apply that logic to your girlfriends?” I tease him, and it earns me a deep, throaty laugh.

“If I say yes, I have a feeling you’ll give me a swift punch to the arm.”

“You wouldn’t be wrong about that.” I nudge him a bit with my shoulder.

We make our way to the center of the grassy area. There are families gathered around on blankets with picnics, college students with laptops, people with dogs. It’s a mishmash of cultures, ages, races, and styles. I love everything about it.

“All right, Arya. Ready to play?” he says, holding up a bright pink Frisbee, and she sits back on her butt and barks once, as if to say “Heck yeah, Dad, I am.”

I can’t help but smile. He’s so good with her. He’s so good with everyone, really. It makes keeping my heart tucked away in my pocket even more difficult.

“Let’s do this,” he says, before tossing the toy across, sending it sailing toward the other end of the park.

Arya bolts off toward it, looking back occasionally to spot it before jumping up and catching it in her mouth.

“Wow! Good job!” I clap and he cheers, running toward her excitedly.

He’s wearing cargo shorts and a basic black tee with an orange cap, boasting his favorite college team, flipped around backward, and I cannot stop staring. Maybe he’s beating me at my own game, or at least evening the score. That bastard.

What is it about backward caps that make women melt?

I take a seat on the grass right under a tree and watch them play together. He tosses the Frisbee, she fetches it, brings it back, and so on. I catch his laughter on the wind and occasionally he glances my way and smiles. He really is a wonderful man.

Kind, strong, and brave. Not to mention wickedly attractive, a king in the sack, AND a gentleman to boot. He’s dangerous. The ultimate catch.

And everything I don’t need if he’s going to risk his life every single day. I slide my thumb over my tattoo and take a deep breath. Keep it casual, Nora. Have the fun you deserve, then go back to California where you need to be.

“Phoenix!”

I hear him yell my nickname, and I snap out of my haze right before a very large Arya slams into me, knocking me to my back.

---