Page 18 of Blind Date With a Cop
“Sweetheart.” Rene leans in closer, her eyes on mine, “Life doesn’t always follow the rules. Neither does love. If it’s found you, hold on tight, hon. Ride that wave for as long as it will carryyou. The ride might be bumpy, it might be scary, but hon, it’ll be the best damn ride of your life.”
I shake my head, almost laughing because it’s true—my life has flipped upside down in weeks. From a lonely apartment to kisses that leave me breathless. From canvases collecting dust to art flying off gallery walls. From telling myself I’d never need anyone…to wondering how I’m supposed to breathe without Blake in my life.
I pick up my fork to finish my salad when a man at the counter suddenly jumps to his feet.
“That’s downtown Love Canyon!”
My head whips toward the television bolted above the counter. A shaky camera feed shows flashing police lights, yellow tape, and a swirl of chaos. Then I see him—broad shoulders. Dark hair clipped close. A profile I’d know anywhere.
Blake.
He’s moving fast with his gun drawn, barking orders I can’t hear over the roar in my ears.
“That’s Blake,” I whisper, gripping Rene’s hand so tight she winces.
“What’s happening?” she demands from the man at the counter.
“Domestic dispute gone bad,” he answers grimly. “Some disturbed father’s using his own kid as a shield, refusing to come out. Cops are trying to talk him down.”
I can’t breathe. My chest is locked. On-screen, Blake moves closer, and then?—
Gunfire.
The sound is deafening even through the television speakers. My whole body jerks, tears burning hot down my cheeks.
The feed cuts to black.
“We’ve lost our camera connection,” the news anchor says, his face somber, his voice flat. “We’re waiting for updates andwill give them to you as soon as we get them, but what we can confirm at this time is that Officer Blake Donovan from the Love Canyon Police Department has been shot.”
The words slice through me like glass.
My fork clatters to the floor.
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head, my heart splintering in my chest. “No, no, no…”
Please God, not Blake.
Chapter Fourteen
Blake
The so-called father shoves his boy to the ground, and the kid bolts, crying, straight into the arms of a state trooper. Relief flashes through me—then it’s gone.
Because the bastard pulls a gun.
I plant my feet, raise my arm, take a deep breath, then squeeze the trigger. My round finds him at the same time his finds me.
Fire tears through my arm, hot and brutal, dropping me to the pavement.
“Officer down!” Sully shouts. “Get the medics here now!”
Boots pound against the asphalt. Sully drops beside me, yanking his belt free. “Hold on, Blake. Stay with me, bro.” He cinches the leather tight around my upper arm. My vision blurs. The edges of the world fade.
“There’s a lot of blood. I think he nicked an artery. But you’re fine. You’re gonna be fine.”
I nod—at least I think I do. But my head feels weightless. I blink hard, trying to keep my eyes open. The last thing I seebefore the darkness swallows me is Cassie’s face. Her smile. Her green eyes. Her long, wavy hair.
Then nothing.
