Jake left his friend’s workshop in high spirits. The woman that Clay had just described fit his moral standards perfectly. At the same time, however, it occurred to him that he had not found a way to approach her again. A phone call would be awkward, and a visit to the police station could embarrass her. On the way to his car, Jake racked his brain, in an attempt to find the right words to say to her. It was Saturday; she would very likely visit his bar tonight. However, fate stepped in, and he quickly realized an encounter with each other would be happening very much sooner than he anticipated. A patrol car had been parked just outside the grocery store Clay had mentioned. In a matter of seconds, Holly emerged, talking to a middle-aged woman.

“Oh, shit… Now, what do I do? Run like hell? No. She’ll think I’m a coward. You’d better pray she doesn’t notice you, Jake; because if she’s mad at you, you’ll be humiliated.”

She turned her head to the left and looked down the road. He felt a cold sweat down his back, as their gazes met. Sadly for him, there was no turning back now. Holly had noticed him and she was heading towards him. Jake took a few furtive glances around him, as she closed the gap between them. The serious look on her face was not a good sign.

“Good morning.” She spoke in a businesslike tone. “Um… What are you doing here?”

“Morning,” he muttered. “I was visiting a friend.”

“I… um… I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” she stated in a voice filled with tension, “about last night.”

“I’m sorry about that, Holly.” He attempted a mellow tone. “I screwed up. I shouldn’t have done…”

“Screwed up?” She leaned forward, her voice squeaky as she narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m a big girl, Jake. You didn’t force me into anything.” She lowered her voice, taking a short step closer to him. “You really broke my heart last night, you know that?”

“There are a few things you just can’t escape.” Jake spoke, his face ridden with sorrow. “I didn’t mean to break down like that. It just…” he paused, “…happens.”

“I know the feeling,” Holly agreed with a nod. “I’ve lost a few loved ones, too. I just wanted you to know that you shouldn’t feel bad about what happened in the parking lot. If I didn’t want you to kiss me, I would have said ‘no.’ Okay?”

“That’s nice to hear.” A small smile spread across his face. “That kiss was really something. I’ve been thinking about it since last night.”

“Damn it, I’m on duty,” Holly replied in frustration. “There are some people watching.”

“What would you do if you were not on duty, deputy?” He asked, bending his head down towards her.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” she grumbled, dropping her gaze to the pavement. “So, who’s this friend of yours?”

“Clay,” Jake responded. “I needed some information.”

“On what,” Holly asked abruptly while looking up at him sternly; “dealing drugs?”

“No.” Jake’s eyes glinted with amusement. “I wanted to know more about the sexy cop I’m looking at.”

“Oh, crap.” Holly hummed, biting her lower lip.

“What, you’re going to pretend you didn’t hear that, either?” Jake teased her even more.

“Stop doing that,” she said, in a wobbly voice. “Do you really trust that guy?”

“He’s been my best friend since I moved here.” He maintained, as his smile fled his face; “we have a few things in common.”

“I know,” Holly assured, “But still, he’s an outlaw.”

“I won’t discuss this on the street, Holly,” Jake responded in a lazy tone. “Besides, you and I can talk about a lot more interesting things than my friendship with Clay. Maybe we can talk if you come over to the bar tonight.”

“We can’t have this conversation at the bar, Jake,” Holly objected. “You’re always running around like a chicken with its head cut off. How does a late-night dinner sound?”

“Are you asking me out on a date, deputy?” He teased, putting his hands on his waist.

“You have a problem with that, Captain?” She returned the tease, but Jake was not at all amused. The mere mention of his past made him look away from her. “I’m sorry. I…”

“Please don’t call me that again.” He interrupted, his voice dropping an octave. “When’s your next day off?”

“I don’t know yet,” Holly replied. “I’ll check next week’s schedule and let you know tonight.”

“I don’t think so.” Jake turned his gaze back to her. “We shouldn’t go down that road. We can’t.”

“What about last night?” Frustration was lingering in her voice.

“It was a mistake, Holly.” He murmured, the sadness within him lowering his tone further. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

“I can’t believe you!” Holly couldn’t keep her voice down. “Last night, we were hugging and kissing, about a minute ago you flirted with me and now you say it was a mistake?”

“I’m sorry,” Jake whispered, guilt written all over his face. “Excuse me. I have to go.”

Holly smiled bitterly to herself, shaking her head sideways, as he entered his black SUV. He started the engine and drove off, feeling more consumed by guilt by the second.

“I did screw up, Holly; both last night and today. I’m sorry I led you on like that. I thought I was ready to move on. I was wrong…”