Page 67 of Bazooka
“Yeah, well, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“How did your parents die?”
“They were killed in the line of duty. They were both cops.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. “It’s a risk every cop is aware of.”
“Is that where your duffel bag philosophy comes from?” Luz said, sounding amused.
I looked at him solemnly. “Not every profession fits family life. That’s just the way it is.”
“I know a lot of married cops,” he countered.
“Yeah, and I know a lot of widows and fatherless children myself included.”
When Luz shifted in his chair, his knee grazed mine. Instantly, a deep flush made its way to his cheeks, and it was something his sunglasses couldn’t hide. And I was officially done beating around the bush.
“Luz, do we need to have the talk?”
He smirked without looking at me. “I know all about the birds and the bees, thank you.”
“You know what I mean.”
“If you have something to say to me, say it.”
“Do you have something to say to me?”
Finally, he looked at me. “You’re a serial kisser.”
I blinked in confusion. “Pardon?”
“No way you learned to kiss like that without kissing half of New Mesa.”
I burst out laughing.
“It’s amazing how I still can’t predict the next thing coming out of your mouth,” I admitted. “Then again, you were kind of speechless last night. I guess I finally found your shutdown button.”
Luz smiled too as I glanced at my phone.
“I have to go, or I’ll be late for work.”
Before I stood up, Luz finally took off his sunglasses, and my smile fell. Why? Because what I could see in those aquamarine depths was something I’d never seen there before, and it washope. Not just that. Confusion, warmth, affection, intensity, yearning, arousal, but more than that, fucking hope.
And it was a bad, bad thing.
I stood up abruptly, feeling the need to run away. “Erm… I’ll go change.”
I hurried to the bathroom, cursing every bad decision I’d made lately, especially the one from last night. I quickly dressed, eager to leave as soon as possible. Luz was in the kitchen when I grabbed my car keys, shouting over my shoulder, “Bye”.
I was at the front door and tucking my gun into a holster when I felt a presence behind me. I turned and almost collided with Luz, who was rightthere. Hell, our heads almost bumped into each other; he was that close.
“Jesus,” I breathed. “You scared me.”
He smiled and handed me a food container. “There’s more apple pie left. Take it.”
“Oh,” I muttered, gulping. “Thanks.”
