That did not go as planned. It was like fate was throwing us together at every turn, all while I was trying my best to make my case in the courtroom of life that Harrison and I did not belong together. Unfortunately, Harrison made some strong arguments to the contrary. You should have seen him with the kids in his group. He had all-star dad material written all over him. He talked to each child and gave each some undivided attention. He joked around with them and tried to teach them a little about each exhibit. He and the kids each gave a silly name to every animal. It was cute. He was cute. More than cute.

And his interactions with Hank? I melted. When we met for lunch, he had Hank on his lap and showed him magic tricks with a quarter. Hank ate it up. To top it off, he hit it off with my brother. They talked like old friends. The subjects ranged from sports, in particular the Atlanta Braves, to the best camping spots around. I could hear the longing in Grady’s voice. I knew he hadn’t been camping since Dad died. It sounded like he was ready to start that tradition with Hank. I was just glad he didn’t mention our father. I supposed he was waiting for me to do the honor. He was going to be waiting a long time.

At least, I thought so. Like I said, Harrison was making some compelling arguments.

Did I also mention that he thought if we were going to be friends, we should be the best friend type that hung out and talked on the phone every day? He was coming over to my house after his shift ended today at eighteen hundred hours. I had forgotten that police officers used military time. It brought back memories of Dad.

I tidied up my townhome, forgoing working on the case files I had brought home. That was what I normally did on Sundays after attending church services and having lunch with my family. Work had become my life, just like school had.

I was placing my files on my bed to look at them later when my doorbell rang. I smoothed out my blouse and caught a glimpse in the mirror that stood in my room on my way to greet Harrison. I was trying to look pretty and relaxed in shorts. And maybe I wanted to show off my legs to him. They were looking nice and tan. I took a deep breath and headed toward the entryway. He had already rung the bell again. He probably thought I had bailed. It had crossed my mind. That’s terrible, I know.

I opened the door to find him decked out in his uniform—minus his duty belt and vest—holding two paper bags, with a dashing smile on his face.

“Hi.” He held up the bags. “I hope you’re ready for some fun tonight.”

I looked at his patrol car and then back to him. “You’re going to give my neighbors something to talk about.”

He shrugged. “They’ll get used to seeing it.”

I arched my eyebrow. “Is that so?”

He stepped into my townhome. “Friends spend a lot of time together, but if it makes you feel better, you’re always welcome at my place.” He looked around my colonial style home with interest. “But it’s definitely not as nice as yours.”

I shut the front door. “I got this place for a steal. One of my grandfather’s friends was looking to make a quick sale, and I was the beneficiary.”

His happy eyes dimmed. “Quick sale or not, this would be out of my price range.”

I shrugged off the awkwardness of that comment. “Your job is important.” I reached for the bag of food. “Let me take that.”

His smile was back. He held onto the bags firmly. “Do you have a TV?”

I grinned. “Yes, but it doesn’t get a lot of use.”

“It will tonight. Lead the way.”

He followed me into my living room, down the hall, and off the eat-in kitchen.

I noticed how he looked around. It made me feel self-conscious. I knew how nice my place was, but honestly, I paid well below market value. “How was your day?”

He sighed. “Rough, but I try not to bring my work home with me.”

I remember my dad trying to be the same way. I knew he saw things that wouldn’t leave him. I respected Harrison’s tactful way of saying he didn’t want to talk about it.

My living room was cozy with hand-me-down furniture from my grandparents, which meant it looked like it belonged in a showroom. I caught Harrison eyeing the Pottery Barn oatmeal colored sectional, and fifty-inch TV surrounded by a handcrafted media console. Again, all used, but in pristine condition.

“Nice,” he commented.

I tucked some hair behind my ear. “Thanks. Have a seat. What would you like to drink? I have—”

“Come sit by me. I’ve thought of everything.”

“Okay.”

Harrison waited until I was seated in the middle of the sectional before he sat right next to me, making sure there wasn’t an inch between us.

I nudged him. “What did you bring? I’m starved.”

He laughed. “I knew you would be.” He grabbed the bag filled with food and began setting out containers of Chinese food and one of my favorite drinks, sparkling grapefruit juice.

“You remembered.”

He stopped what he was doing and turned back my way. “You’re hard to forget.” He turned right back to what he was doing, leaving me to process his comment.

I looked at his badge and reminded myself I couldn’t go down that road.

When he finished setting out the food, I got to see what was in the second mysterious bag. First was a bag of chocolate drizzled popcorn, another favorite of mine. Next was a DVD of Legally Blonde.

I laughed. “Is this how you see me?”

He looked at the movie cover. “You’re way better looking than Reese Witherspoon.”

“You’re such a liar.”

“Believe me, she has nothing on you.”

“Uh-huh. I’m not buying it, but thank you.”

The last items were more than surprising, five different nail polishes, all in some shade of pink.

“What are those for?”

He lined all the nail polishes up from the lightest shade to the darkest. “I’m going to give you a manicure. Isn’t that what you do with your girlfriends?”

I was doing my best not to giggle. “Maybe back in high school.”

He leaned back next to me. No shame on his face at all. He picked up my hand and studied it. “Looks like you’re overdue for one.”

“And you know this how?”

“My ex-girlfriend owned a nail salon.” He set my hand down back in my lap. It was the right thing to do, but it felt wrong.

“How long ago did you break up?”

He handed me some chopsticks. “A couple of months ago.”

“Was it serious?”

He handed me a carton of chicken lo mein. “I hope this is still your favorite.”

I breathed in the delicious aroma. “Right again. But you didn’t answer my question.”

He peered into my eyes and leaned in. “She wasn’t the woman for me. But my cuticles have never looked better.”

I held my breath. He was more delicious than the food. “I’m happy for you and your cuticles.” More so, I was happy she wasn’t the one, even though I had no right to feel like that.

“I’m going to pop the movie in.” Harrison launched himself off my couch.

I didn’t dig into my food, instead I watched his every move. I pictured what life could have been like with him had he gone to law school. I could see us snuggled up on the couch watching movies and eating take-out on Sunday evenings, or every evening unless he was cooking.

He swaggered back to me grinning mischievously.

I bit my lip and held my breath again. To say he had an effect on me was an understatement. I turned to my food before I lost my head and heart. Though I’m pretty sure my heart was ready to jump ship anytime my head got on board.

He sat even closer to me than before, if that was possible, with his Mongolian beef.

“This is fantastic.” I pointed to my carton with my chopsticks. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

We ate in silence while enjoying the movie for several minutes.

While Reese Witherspoon’s character in the movie was preparing to take the LSAT, I remembered something. “In New Orleans, several precincts got together and implemented the program, ‘Shop with a Hero.’ It was a great outreach program for lower income children during the holidays. If you wanted, I could talk to my grandfather about sponsors. He has some corporate connections. And I could get in touch with my colleagues back Louisiana. We have a little over six months until Christmas, so it wouldn’t be a large campaign this year, but we could expand it as time went on.”

He shook his head. “Same old, Kallie. Trying to save the world.”

“Is that bad?”

“I love it. I mean, I think it’s a terrific idea. Let me talk to my captain.”

“I’ll talk to Mason tomorrow.”

“Your brother and nephew are great, by the way.”

“Hank is the shining star of our family.”

“Ever thought of having one of your own?”

“All the time. I told Mason that when I make partner I’m going to need a nursery next to my office.”

“Who’s the lucky dad going to be?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Don’t know yet. I’ve thought about adopting, but my case load is too insane right now.”

“What about marriage?”

“It’s a fine institution.”

“Are you sidestepping the question, counselor?”

“No. But I’m sure, like me, you’ve seen enough to make you wary of taking the plunge. I mean, how do two people that were once insanely in love end up turning on each other and doing the most despicable things?”

Harrison set down his food on my coffee table. He turned toward me and studied my face. His blue eyes were warm. “I ask myself that all the time, but the horrors I’ve seen only make me want to be better. Be with someone we can make better little people with.”

I grinned. “I’m sure you’ll make excellent little people.”

“So will you, Kallie.” He leaned in and I didn’t stop him. In my defense, he took my breath away. His lips parted.

I was supposed to say stop, or maybe get up. Moving was good, but I couldn’t. Only my eyes were functioning. They closed, waiting for the magical moment when our lips met, but . . . that didn’t happen. He pressed his lips to my forehead. There he lingered. I could hear his deep steady breaths. He pulled away in a rush. “Time for manicures.”

Yeah. What was I doing?