Lee laughed softly. “Yeah, pretty much.”

I smiled back at him, and the eye contact did something strange to my stomach. All at once I was aware of the shape of his lips and the way his hair had grown longer. He used to keep it clipped close to his skull, but now there was more length on top. His expression turned intense, and I cleared my throat to break the tension.

“So, what about you? What’ve you been up to?”

“Quite a bit, actually.”

“Yeah?”

He paused, like he was hesitant to tell me. “Yeah, I’m, eh, I’m setting up a new business.”

“Oh.”

His eyes narrowed. “Not like that. A legitimate business. I’m opening a restaurant.”

Gaping at him, I couldn’t have been more surprised if he told me he was opening up his own beanbag emporium. “That’s amazing news. What are you calling it?”

“Grub Hut. You should stop by sometime. We’re not opening for another few weeks, but I’m there most days doing prep.”

I nodded, smiling again. “I like the name. So you took Alexis’ advice in the end. Remember she said you should open a restaurant? It makes sense. Your food is amazing.”

“Well, I’m still learning. I’ve hired a team of experienced cooks to help run the kitchen, though, so I won’t be on my own.”

“What about the garage?”

“Sold it. It felt too strange staying there with everything that’s happened. A fresh start is what we all needed.”

I exhaled, and a foreign sensation came over me. After a moment, I realised what it was. He was going straight, and I was proud of him. Softening my voice, I asked, “How’s Stu coping? Have you been to visit him?”

At this Lee’s expression darkened. “He’s coping, but it’s hard inside, especially when you come in strong, with a reputation to uphold. It’s…challenging, but he’ll get there.”

My stomach churned, reminding me of my guilt. I’d had a hand in Stu being behind bars, so I couldn’t help feeling remorseful.

“Well, he’s got a lot of people waiting for him on the outside. Just keep reminding him of that and it’ll see him through.”

“Yeah,” said Lee. “I hope so.” Turning his body slightly, his eyes wandered from the top of my head to my shoulders. I grew self-conscious, wondering why he was studying me so closely.

“You been seeing anyone?” he asked.

I shot him an incredulous look, trying not to smile. “Are you seriously going there?”

“Got a soft spot for ya, Snap. Always have.” He winked, but there was a sadness behind his eyes. We both knew that what he’d felt for me was far more than just a soft spot.

I let out a sigh. “No, I haven’t been seeing anyone. Like I said, I’ve been busy.” I paused, not looking at him when I asked shyly, “Have you?”

I could practically feel him smiling, and when I chanced a glance, I noticed his chest puffing out as he rested his arm along the back of my chair. “No. There’s no lucky lady in my life right now.”

“Oh.”

We shared a moment of eye contact, a fire in his gaze that made me swallow hard. His breath hit my ear when he broke the quiet. “I’m sorry for how I blanked you in court that day. It was a shitty move, but my head was all over the place.”

“I know, and I don’t blame you. You love your family, and a piece of it was torn apart. It’s understandable that I was the last person you wanted to see.”

“Still, I should’ve said something, should’ve tried to explain, but I felt so powerless. I thought I had it all figured out. I could throw myself under the bus and everyone else would be safe, no clue that Stu planned on beating me to it.”

“I think he had to do it, though,” I said. “He needed to be the one to take responsibility this time.”

“Yeah, I get that now.”

A quiet descended, and I smelled Lee’s cologne. The scent provoked memories that I tried to push away.

“So, sergeant, eh?” he said, nudging me with his elbow. “Will you get to wear a new insignia?”

“RW 79, all the way,” I answered, saluting him. “Plus, I’ll get to boss all the constables around. It’ll be ace.”

“Oh, yeah, I can see it now, you shouting orders, all sexy in your uniform,” Lee teased, plucking my tie between his fingers.

I rolled my eyes. “I swear, you must be the only bloke in the world who’s got a thing for this uniform.”

Lee’s eyes sharpened as he continued to grin at me, and then he let my tie drop and stood. “Tell Alexis I said congrats. Oh, and I’ll see you around, Serg.”

“Not sergeant yet,” I called after him as he walked away.

He turned around long enough to reply, “You will be.”

His faith in me stirred my emotions, and I slumped back into my seat, my lungs suddenly too full of air.

The following week, I found an envelope in my cubbyhole at the station. My heart leapt when I recognised the stamp. I’d sat my exam just the other day, and already the results were in. Becoming a sergeant was something I’d wanted for years, and I was nervous to open the letter. What if I’d failed? Sure, Jennings and I weren’t mortal enemies anymore, but we weren’t bosom buddies, either. I didn’t want to have to face her smug look that was all, I told you so.