Meetings. I absolutely hated them. I’d rather work in the confines of my office, but this one was mandatory. I groaned to myself at the thought. My day started off great at the range, but now I had this dreaded monthly meeting to attend with the police department. Damn it. I made my way into the locker room to change into my black pencil skirt, white blouse, black jacket, and black pumps. I decided that the outcome of this outfit would do and make my way to the meeting room with only seconds to spare. With my briefcase in one hand and coffee in the other, I walked into the conference room and was shocked at who I saw. It was the same man with those beautiful blue eyes. Holy shit! To think that I was going to get off easy and never have to see them again was a mistake. What was he doing here? Today just went from great to the start of a panic attack in a matter of minutes. How am I going to escape him now? That was what I needed to plan. I broke my gaze away from him and made my way over to the only seat left. Low and behold it was beside him. Damn!

The lieutenant of the police department, Tom Baker, discussed the monthly plans for both departments and my mind began to lose concentration. This meeting needed to hurry up and end now! As he finished, I had barely heard anything that he discussed. He motioned for “blue eyes” to come forward. Now my question would be answered. Who is this magnificent man?

“I would like for all of you to meet the newest member of the police department, Matthew Anderson,” Tom stated. “He’s come to us from Texas where he was with the police department for the past ten years. I’m proud and delighted that he’s a member of our team and expect all of you welcome him with open arms.”

Matthew Anderson. Damn his name was never leaving my head now. I shouldn’t have wished that my question would be answered, but now I was intrigued. Why would he move all the way here from Texas? My trance was broken when he began speaking.

“I’m delighted to be a part of this team and hope that we can all work well together. Just bear with me while I learn the ropes here and that’ll make this transition go smoothly for me,” he responded eagerly. Then he looked my way and smiled. SHIT!

Oh God. His southern accent was even sexy. This wasn’t good at all for me. I needed to get away and fast. His smile, accent, and those damn eyes were going to get to me, and that just couldn’t happen. What I couldn’t figure out was why the man was affecting me? I haven’t let a man’s appearance, let alone voice, get to me in two years because of what happened. The more I try to figure out how and why this is happening, the more frustrated I became.

Oh, great now the introductions are starting for my department. That means I have to actually speak to him. Please don’t let me make a fool of myself. As the others are introducing themselves, I take deep breaths to calm my nerves and anxiety. All I have to do is say my name and my position. How hard can this be? I have a feeling this is leading to an epic fail. Crap. Sophia is introducing herself. That means I’m next. When she finishes, I allow a brief pause before beginning. I lift my head up, and those damn eyes meet mine.

“Hello, Mr. Anderson. I’m Emily Jackson. I’m a Juvenile Probation Officer and have been working with this department for about two years. Welcome aboard.” Wow, I’m glad that’s over with. Now I can breathe. As soon as I’m about to sit down, he spoke.

“Miss Jackson, it’s a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to working with you,” he stated with a smile.

Oh crap. That smile and accent are going to be the death of me. No, I take that back. Those eyes are going to be the death of me. It’s almost like he’s looking into my soul and searching around. That’s not a good thing. Especially since he can never find out about the real me.

The meeting is finally over. Now I can get back to my normal routine. As I was walking out of the room, Sophia, my best friend since I moved here, stopped me.

“Girl, did you see that man in there? He’s a fine specimen if I do say so myself,” she said without trying to laugh. God she has been my saving grace along with my music.

“I saw him all right, but he’s okay. Nothing special.” I’m going to hell for lying, but I can’t let her know I’m intrigued by the new guy. She’ll try to set me up and that can’t happen.

“Honey, I’m beginning to think you’re gay because if he didn’t affect you, then I have no clue what man will. That suit looks like it was made for him. Did you see the way that shirt fit him? Those muscles are amazing. His eyes are to die for, and that smile is just one that will melt your panties. Well, we’ll chat later. I gotta head to my first appointment,” she stated.

“Bye, Sophia. And no, I’m definitely not gay. I’m just not interested in a man in uniform or with a badge,” I replied with a faint laugh. She’s going to see right through my facade. I just know it. Well, it’s been diverted for now and that’s a good thing. Now to get to my own appointments and not think of the blue-eyed man. Challenge accepted.

* * *

Part of me was hoping that I would see those beautiful hazel eyes again, but the other part was hoping to be able to forget them. Eyes like hers were a distraction. One that I didn’t need at any given moment. It looked like we’ll be working together, and that’s not a good thing. I don’t think that I could work closely with her without becoming distracted, and distractions can’t occur in my line of work. I’ll just have to figure out a way to avoid her and hope that there isn’t a case soon where our paths will cross. This should be challenging, but I’ve become a pro at avoiding people so this should be an easy one. I can only hope that it is.

I made my back to the lieutenant’s office for the officers/detectives meeting, my thoughts were beginning to clear; which was a good thing because my job needed all of my focus. The meeting consisted of more introductions and my background being given to everyone. Most of which thought it was amazing that I used to talk people down from the ledge figuratively and literally speaking. All of them were wondering why I would leave that all behind to come across the country to become a detective again. Well, they could wonder all they wanted. My lips were remaining sealed on the reasons behind my move.

At the end of the meeting, we all were given our assignments for the day and the partners we were being assigned to. One thing I was beginning to hate was that I was the new guy who had to prove himself, but it was part of moving to a new city where no one knew me or my past.

After meeting with my partner, Mason Cruz, he began to show me the ropes, starting with procedures and codes for the paperwork that’d be filled out per case. He also handed me my log book and showed me where my desk would be located.

We began going over notes for recent unsolved cases. He seemed eager to get my opinion on where they were heading and the suspects that still needed to be questioned and looked into. This is where I shined and where I felt in my element. Unfortunately, those hazel eyes were starting to creep into my thoughts. I glanced at the clock and realized that our day was about to come to a close already. Wow, how the time flew by when I was able to keep myself busy.

While I was packing up to leave, I turned to Mason and asked him the one thing that I had wanted to ask him all day.

“What’s with Emily?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t read too much into it.

“She’s a quiet one. She comes in, does her job, and goes home. She and Sophia are pretty tight from what I can tell, but she doesn’t seem to talk to many more people aside from what’s necessary.”

“She’s been here two years, right? Where did she move here from?”

“No one really knows. She doesn’t talk about herself much. I don’t think even Sophia knows much about her past. I do know when she first moved here she seemed on edge like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. After a while though, she seemed to feel more comfortable. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious, man. Nothing more to it than that.” I hope he bought that because if not rumors would start and I didn’t need that.

“Just tread carefully with that one, Anderson. She’s closed off and seems skittish sometimes,” Mason warned.

“It’s not like that. I was just trying to get to know people,” I said, while grabbing my bag. He shrugged me off and I guessed it was a good sign that he believed me.

“See you bright and early. Have a good night,” I stated, while walking towards the door.

With any luck, my evening would be relaxing, which seemed doubtful considering all I would have time to do was think and my thoughts would probably be consisting of her. Even though she consumed them, I wouldn’t let myself act because she would be a distraction. One that I didn’t need or want anytime soon.