Chapter 9

Bridgett

Relief

Blinking my eyes open, I hear the television’s low volume coming through the wall while the smell of bacon permeates the air around me. I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Noah is safe and just on the other side of the door.

It’s odd to feel so relieved that he made it home. I never once worried about Conner while he was out or even gone for weeks, traveling for business. But every night, even the nights before the one I just spent under Noah’s roof, I’ve thought about him, wondered if he was okay, and hoped I didn’t wake up to some story on the news about an officer either injured or killed in the line of duty.

Grabbing my pillow, I drag it over my head and groan. My feelings for him have grown wildly out of control. Even reminding myself that I need to keep my emotions in check isn’t working.

Last evening, when he offered me a room at his place, I wanted to keep refusing him. But the truth is, I needed the lifeline he tossed my way. I might have enough money to get a room at a seedy hotel for a week, but I’d likely be sleeping in my car after that. I couldn’t ask my brother and May if I could stay with them, even knowing they would probably feel bad for me and allow it.

Which I confirmed when I called Aiden to tell him what happened, and May suggested I stay at their place in her guest room.

No.

And I’d rather jump off a cliff than ask my parents if I could stay with them. My dad wouldn’t be difficult to deal with if he were on his own, but he’s not . And my mother would, without a doubt, use the situation as a reason to dig in her heels about why I should go back to Conner.

As the steady beep of my alarm begins to sound, I come out of my thoughts and toss my pillow away, then grab my phone off the floor to shut it off. I get up and fold my blankets, placing them on the arm of the couch, then put on my robe and grab my bathroom stuff before going to the door. With a deep breath, I step out into the living room and am instantly relieved when I don’t see Noah there or in the kitchen, making it easier for me to avoid him for a little longer. After a quick shower, I apply my makeup, which doesn’t take long since the task is one I have been doing almost every day since I was fifteen.

Ready—or mostly ready, anyway—I leave the bathroom, taking my stuff with me, and stop dead in my tracks when I spot Noah and the female officer he had been happy to see days ago when I brought him the cookies. The two of them hold coffee mugs as they talk quietly in the kitchen.

My stomach sinks to my toes, and I instantly hate how perfect they look together. Both of them are dressed in workout gear that shows off just how in shape they are. Really, they look like they belong on one of those ads for CrossFit or Body Boot Camp. Meanwhile, I’ve been eating my feelings for weeks and have gained not just weight in my stomach but also in my bottom and hips.

Not that I minded until this moment.

“Morning,” the woman says, and I snap out of my pity party for one and plaster a smile on my face.

“Morning,” I greet her, then look down when I feel paws on my calf, finding Lola standing on her hind legs. “Hey, sweet girl.” My smile is genuine as I lean down to rub the top of her head. She was a little leery of me after Noah left last night, but by the time I was finished with my laundry, we were the best of friends.

“You want some breakfast, babe?” Noah asks, and my stomach twists at his deep voice. Every time he’s called me babe in the past, it’s made my heart beat a little funny. Now, I know it’s just a nickname he’s probably given to dozens of women.

“I wish, but I don’t have time. I’m actually running late since I need to be at the office a little earlier today,” I lie as I straighten from petting Lola, then toss a smile in his direction but avoid eye contact. “Be back.” I head to my room to get dressed .

When I’m done, I grab my purse and phone and step into the living room to find Noah and the woman still in the kitchen. Since I can’t avoid them, I head their way. Both of their gazes come to me.

“I didn’t get to introduce myself the other day or this morning,” the woman says as soon as I step into the room. “I’m Jennifer. Noah and I used to be partners.” She holds out her hand, and I grab hold of it on instinct.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Bridgett. Noah and my brother are best friends. That’s why I’m here.” I add the last part, wanting to make sure she knows why I’m staying with her boyfriend.

“He mentioned that.” She glances over at him and smirks. “And just so you know, he and I aren’t together. He just enjoys torturing me with weekly workouts.”

Wait, what?

I clear my throat, and she gives me a knowing smile.

“Here,” Noah says as she lets my hand go. I drop my eyes to the black travel mug he’s holding toward me. “I made bacon. If you want, I’ll make a sandwich you can take with you.”

“Thank you.” I take the mug, feeling like the biggest kind of ass. “That’s not necessary. I’ll just get something to eat at a drive-thru on my way through town.”

“Bridgett, if a man offers to make you food, you accept,” Jennifer informs me, and I rub my lips together.

“I guess I could eat a bacon sandwich,” I say quietly, and she laughs while I hear Noah grunt. Taking my coffee with me, I step back toward the counter and set down my bag while Noah goes to the fridge and pulls out mayo and cheese.

“Did you call your brother last night?” he asks as he plops the stuff in his hand on the counter.

“I did. He said he would talk to the people he was renting from and figure out what’s going to happen, then let me know.”

“Sorry to hear about your place,” Jennifer says as she hops up onto one of the counters like she’s been here often and it’s something normal for her to do.

“Thanks.” I fiddle with the handle of the coffee mug I’m still clutching, and my eyes go to Noah. I watch his biceps flex as he slathers mayo on two pieces of bread.

“Noah mentioned you work for Bender and Sons,” she prompts, and I drag my gaze off Noah to look at her.

“I do. ”

“You guys are building my girlfriend’s and my house.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s in the new subdivision just outside of Franklin.” She takes a sip of coffee.

“That’s a beautiful area,” I say, knowing exactly what she’s talking about.

“It really is,” she agrees, then glances at Noah. “I keep telling this guy he needs to look into building over there.”

“Why?” I blurt without thinking. I mean, I’m not sure if Noah owns this house, but I can honestly say I loved it the moment we pulled onto the property last night.

I thought he’d have an apartment in town or some other kind of bachelor pad, but I was pleasantly surprised by the tree-covered lot and cute little house tucked into the middle of the woods that reminded me of something out of a storybook. And the inside is just as beautiful as the outside, with timeless fixtures and an open floorplan that would be perfect for entertaining or a growing family.

“Well, if he doesn’t get the job as detective in town, Franklin will be an easier commute for him to get into Nashville,” she says, and I look over at Noah.

“When will you know if you got the position?” I ask, and he meets my gaze.

“Next week.”

“They should have already told him.” She huffs. “I mean, no offense to the other guys who’ve applied, but none of them deserve it like Noah does.”

I nod because I’m sure she’s right.

“If it’s meant to be, it will happen.” Noah sighs as he picks up the sandwich he made for me and wraps it in a paper towel. “And I’m not moving unless you can find me at least three acres in Franklin for under five hundred thousand.”

“Since I paid that for my postage-stamp-sized lot, you know that’s never going to happen.”

“Then I guess I’m never moving,” he mutters to her while handing me my sandwich, his eyes locking with mine. “What time do you normally get home from work in the evenings?”

“It depends, but usually around five.”

“I’ll be at work when you get here.”

“Okay.”

“Let me see your phone,” he orders. I set my coffee down and dig through my bag for my cell, then hand it to him after unlocking the screen. A few seconds later, after he’s done doing whatever it is he’s doing, his phone on the counter begins to ring. “All right.” He hands my cell back to me. “I’ll send you a text with the code for the alarm and instructions on how to disarm it when you get back here tonight. Just make sure you arm it when you’re inside and locked in.”

“I will.” I place my phone back into my purse and grab my coffee. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” He lifts his chin but doesn’t take his eyes off mine. I shift on my heels, then drop my gaze and step around him, glancing at Jennifer. “It was nice meeting you.”

“You too.” She smiles, then looks between Noah and me and shakes her head. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

I nod, figuring she’s right, then hustle out of the kitchen and walk down the hall and out the door. Once I’m in my car, I toss my purse onto the passenger seat, place my coffee in the cupholder, then grab my keys to start the engine. I stop when someone taps on my window. I turn my head and come face-to-face with Noah, noticing he’s holding the key and clicker for the garage door he left on the counter last night.

“Crap.” I shake my head and hit the button for the window to roll it down. “Sorry, I totally forgot.”

“You would have realized eventually.” He clips the clicker onto my visor, then hands me the key while locking his gaze with mine and asking softly, “Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah,” I whisper, not sure why that quietly asked question makes my throat tight, but it does.

“All right.” He stands back and taps the roof of my car. “I’ll see you tomorrow, babe.”

“See you tomorrow.” I muster up a smile, then hit the button for the garage, which sends the door up. I back out and do a three-point turn in the yard since there isn’t an actual driveway, then glance in the rearview mirror and notice he hasn’t moved from his position. And he doesn’t until I’m almost halfway down the road.

And darn it all, my stupid heart flutters in my chest because I know I’ll see him again tomorrow.