Page 32 of Amore
Once Candace drove out of the parking lot, Luke pulled out of his spot and headed toward my house. I stared out the window. “You have plans with Candace in the morning?”
Luke shook his head slowly. “No. She meant at the start of shift.”
I blinked. “She’s a cop too?”
He sighed. “Actually, she’s my partner.”
My mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”
He got onto the freeway. “Yeah, but no one knows, okay?”
I pretended to lock my lips with a key. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Not even Lucy.”
My eyes widened. “Lucy doesn’t know?”
“We don’t want anyone to know because we’re not supposed to date within the same department.”
“What would happen if someone found out?”
Luke shrugged. “Make one of us change squads. Possible suspension and a write-up.”
“That’s not too bad then, right?”
“I mean, it’s not like we’d get fired, but I love my squad and don’t want to change.”
“Understandable. I won’t tell a soul.”
“Woof!”
I chuckled. “Amore won’t either.”
“Aw, thanks, buddy.” Luke patted my dog’s head quickly, then returned both of his hands to the wheel.
I looked out the window again, thinking about how Luke had a secret girlfriend and I was once his secret too—if only for a night. “Candace didn’t seem too happy about me,” I said, not looking at Luke.
“She’s fine.”
“Yeah, but you know, if I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t like it either,” I admitted.
He glanced over at me. “Nothing is going on.”
“I know that, but she doesn’t, not for sure.”
“She has to trust me.”
“All right, but maybe I don’t need you sleeping on my couch for a few nights. I was fine before.”
“Who broke in with flowers, Franks?”
“I don’t know.” I lifted a shoulder.
“Exactly.”
“But you’re doing things to protect me.”
“They obviously got past the alarm, and even with the locks changed and cameras put up, if they want in, they will find a way in.”
