Page 53 of Only You

Why had she been attracted to this idiot? Yes, she had been young, but she had not been stupid. Maybe a little naive, but it went beyond that. She had been thankful that she had never slept with him. He had been pressuring her, but she knew it would be a mistake to do that at the academy. Whether fair or not, that would have given her a reputation.

“Yes. It was about the cases.”

“Don’t you mean case?

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. She was tired of his bullshit, and she was hungry. That avocado toast Declan had made her had only gone so far. Her stomach had been growling for an hour.

Then it hit her that Bryan always heard gossip first. “Have you heard anyone say I wanted to leave the precinct?”

He shook his head. “Who would believe that? Your entire life is wrapped up in your work here.”

The bitterness she heard almost had her taking a step back. Instead, she nodded. “Let me know if you hear anything. That’s a server from Fitzpatrick’s, so I need to see if she has any information for me.”

She stepped around him and headed to her desk. “Hey, Fee.”

Fiona Markle was her name, but she went by Fee. “Did you have something you wanted to add to your statement?”

Her eyes widened, then she shook her head. “No. The boss sent you lunch. Well, for you and your partner.”

She glanced at Eddie, who was plowing through a hamburger.

“Sorry that I kept you waiting.”

The younger woman shook her head. “Don’t worry. Slow day, and the boss always pays well when we deliver to friends and family.”

Still, she grabbed her purse and pulled out a ten. Fee shook her head. “Boss said not to take a tip.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then take it, and we’ll keep it between us. Thanks for delivering the food.”

The waitress smiled and slipped the ten in her back pocket. “No problem.”

With that, she walked away.

“If this gets us free lunch, I am all for you sleeping with Fitzpatrick.”

She frowned at her partner. “Why don’t you just put up a big neon sign about my sex life?”

“You want me to do that? Neon is really expensive these days.”

She sighed and dropped down into her chair. “I just like to keep my personal life separate. Also, you know how men are around here.”

“Well, they can get bent. You’re a grown-ass woman with a sex life. Idiots.”

She smiled at him. “Thanks.”

“What did he send you?”

She opened up the cup container and smiled. “Clam chowder and I bet this is a baguette ham and cheese sandwich.”

Before she could start eating, though, she had to thank the man.

Eileen:Thanks for lunch.

“Tell him thanks from me. Also, I will trade secrets about you for a burger any day of the week.”

She flipped him off, and he just laughed.

Declan:You are most welcome. How is it?

---