The next morning after class, I dropped in Dr. Somerville’s office. I knocked on the door and waited for him to look up from his work.

“Do you have a minute, Professor?” I shifted my backpack to my other shoulder.

“Lucy, of course. Come on in.” He leaned back in his desk chair and smiled at me. “I assume you are checking in on the flash drive you left for me?”

“Yes. I know you haven’t had it very long at all, but I was hoping you would have a little feedback for me.” I sat across from him.

I was glad for a chance to rest my backpack on the floor. It seemed like an extra heavy burden today for some reason.

“I have viewed the footage, and I think it looks great.” He handed me a sheet of paper. “I made a short list of suggestions on how to improve the next round of videos, but they are really minor notes for you.”

Dr. Somerville smiled at me.

“The next round of videos?” I had to do more?

“Yes, I think you need a lot more footage for this to qualify as a thesis project. But you knew that already, of course.” He beamed at me.

Of course, I knew that. I just wasn’t thinking clearly these days.

“Right. Well.” I looked down at the list of suggestions, but I didn’t see anything on the page. I was trying to think of what to say next. “Maybe next time I should ride along with a different police officer.”

“Why would you want to do that?” Dr. Somerville’s forehead wrinkled. “Is there a problem with Officer Jackson that you need to talk to me about?”

“No, no. He’s fine. I thought maybe a different officer would give me a more well-rounded project, that’s all.” I smiled like I had totally planned ahead of time to ask this question, instead of making it up on the spot.

“I think that you are making a very interesting documentary with the one officer. I have been thinking about maybe assigning another graduate student to do a ride along with a different officer, and then the two of you could combine your footage into one big project.” He paused, considering his own words. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

What choice did I have?

“That’s probably a great idea, Professor. I will certainly think it over.” I stood up. I was dead inside, and I could only hope it didn’t show on my face.

“So when are you doing your next ride along?” Dr. Somerville stood up with me.

“I’m not quite sure. Officer Jackson was injured in that shooting. I’m sure you’ve heard all about it by now.” The whole damn town had been talking about it since it happened. At least, people had been talking about in class earlier, and of course my grandmother knew. “I’ll have to find out when he plans to return to work.”

“Keep up the good work, Lucy. I’m very excited about your project and the work you’ve already completed.” Dr. Somerville was all smiles as he followed me out to refill his coffee cup.

I waved a half-hearted goodbye and walked out of the building.

Maybe if Grayson was on leave for a few days, I could use that as an excuse to get Chief Kane to assign another officer to me. If that happened, Dr. Somerville would have to accept it, right?

I went straight to the police station to find out.

I took a moment out in the parking lot to practice a few deep breaths and put a stupid smile on my face. I wanted to act normal in front of Chief Kane. I didn’t want him to see how upset I was.

I wasn’t concerned about running into Grayson. He worked night shifts, and I fully expected him to be on medical leave for a few days, anyway.

I walked into the police station with my head held high, and I went straight to Chief Kane’s office. I knocked on the door, mimicking my actions from Dr. Somerville’s office earlier.

“Lucy!” Chief Kane stood and smiled at me. “Good to see you.”

I walked into the chief’s office and was surprised when he came around his desk and gave me a big hug.

“I was going to call you later and check on you.” He went back to his side of the desk and sat down. “Wanted to make sure you were okay after all that happened the other night. I know that had to be extremely upsetting for you.”

“I’m fine, Chief.” I sat down across from him. “I just left my professor’s office, and he seemed pleased with the footage I have gathered from my ride alongs.”

“That’s great. I talked to him myself earlier, and he’s sending me a copy to view later. I’m glad that project is going smoothly.” Chief Kane leaned back and regarded me with a shrewd gleam in his eyes. “But you aren’t here to give me an update, are you?”

Surprised, I sat straight up. “Well.” I was caught off guard for a minute. “I wanted to give you an update, but also talk to you about my future ride alongs. My professor wants me to get even more footage, but I figured Officer Jackson won’t be working for a few days. So maybe I should ride with someone else?” I finished that last bit in a nervous rush.

“Grayson will be back at work tonight. He didn’t want to take any more time off.” Another shrewd look. “I heard a rumor that his girlfriend broke up with him, and he prefers to work rather than sit at home and nurse his broken heart.”

Crap. Chief Kane knew too much for my own good.

He smiled a gentle smile. “I think you should ride with Grayson tonight.”

“Tonight?” I didn’t even bother hiding my look of dismay. Chief Kane seemed to know everything already.

“Tonight.” Another smile. “I think it will be good for both of you.”

He stood up. The meeting was over.

I walked to the door, dejected.

“And Lucy?”

I turned back around.

“Grayson is a really great young man. You could do a lot worse.” His smile was understanding.

I blushed. “Thank you, Chief.”

Then I fled his office, not wanting Chief Kane to see me cry, only to run smack into Grayson.

I remembered our first “meeting” in the Italian restaurant the night I was on that lousy date with Colton. I had run into Grayson just like this, and I had thought about sex and magical orgasms.

I had an even stronger reaction to running into him this time.

“Lucy.” Grayson’s voice trembled a little, and he cleared his throat. “I’m glad I caught you. I’ve been calling you.”

Tormented, I stared up at him. “Yeah. Yeah.” What could I say here? “It’s been a busy few days.”

Lame, Lucy. That’s so very lame.

“I’m working tonight. Do you want to ride along?” Grayson looked hopeful, and I cursed inwardly.

“Yes, I do want to ride along.” I nervously fingered the strap of my backpack as I spoke.

His eyes lit up, and I kicked myself for sending the wrong signals. “Chief Kane says I have to ride with you tonight.”

Grayson’s face fell, and I kicked myself again.

I struggled to find the right words to say. Nothing came to mind, so I shrugged. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

Grayson didn’t reply, but I could feel his eyes following me as I went out the door.