Page 16 of Love Me Boldly

“I can think of something. You shouldn’t have to deal with that crap.”

There were a lot of things in my life I shouldn’t have to deal with.

“Can’t save everyone, Officer,” I teased.

“I can sure try.” He glared at me, but it wasn’t in anger at me. Protecting people was what he did, and he took his job seriously.

“Let it go, guys. I appreciate you, you know that, but you have to know by now that the town seeing you in here talking to me hasn’t changed a thing and it won’t.” They started coming in after my dad’s arrest to show their support for not only me, but Caroline and The Grille.

It’d been a sweet gesture, and consideringno onewanted to be sat in my section at the time, something I was sure they’d gotten wind of through the gossip mill, their generous tips had helped.

But it’d been a full year, and while some people reluctantly let me serve them and take care of them, more than most refused.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Eddie leaned back in the chair and grinned. “We come for the pleasant company.”

I snorted. “Sure you do.”

Both men chuckled. “I’ll be back with your checks.”

They came, they ate, we chatted, but they didn’t linger, considering they usually stopped in while they were on duty. And I knew they did that to show up in uniform, making it clear they wouldn’t allow any harassment.

I returned with their checks and set them both in folders on the table. “Have a good night, guys. Thanks for stopping in.”

Cole leaned in closer. “I hope you know that youcanalways come to us. If anyone harasses you, Holly, or does anything they shouldn’t. You don’t have to keep taking it and putting up with it.”

“I know. I appreciate it.”

We both knew I wouldn’t. Not unless it was serious.

“Take care,” I told them both and went back to work.

It was nice to know I had people at my back, but I’d learned a long time ago to let it go. Sometimes fighting for fairness only made life more difficult, and I’d had enough difficulty.

* * *

By Monday,most of the snow from Friday had melted, leaving the streets and parking lots slushy with small piles of darkening snow scraped off to the edges of the campus sidewalks. The campus was drying by Tuesday, and even better, I found a spot in the covered parking garage. I grabbed my scarf and hat, tugged on my mittens, and then slipped my backpack over my shoulders. By the time I got outside the ramp, I flinched from the bright sun. It took my eyes a second to adjust, and when they did, I cursed at the vision in front of me.

I’d spent far too much time over the weekend consumed with thoughts of that certain smirk and lock of curly dark hair.

“How’s it going?”

Oh. So it wasn’t a mirage or a trick of the sun’s blinding glare.

I stumbled over nothing and righted myself as Graham stepped closer.

“How in theworlddid you know where I parked?” My eyes narrowed on him. “Are you tracking me? Slip an AirTag into my coat or something?”

As I asked, I patted the sides of my coat. There was no way he knew my parking preference, and I hadn’t been able to get a covered spot last Friday.

“Settle, Spitfire,” he teased, laughing. “This was a best guess based on the business building.”

Well, that made sense. “Oh,” I mumbled.

“Thought I’d walk you to class.”

“How gentlemanly of you.”

“I can be.” He shrugged and grabbed the straps of his backpack as he fell into step with me. “How was work this weekend?”

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