His teeth dig into his lower lip as he assesses my face. I know my makeup is smeared, cheeks stained with tears, but he’s looking at me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. It’s the same way he looked when I first walked out of the restroom at Jake’s.
“Are you sure?” he whispers, and all I can do is nod. “If you’re not—”
“Matthews, I need—”
We both freeze, and even though my back is to the door, I know that Chief Monahan just caught us in an embrace.
“In my office, Matthews. Now.”
I watch silently as Colton pulls on a pair of gloves, picks the letter up off his desk on the corner, and leaves. He doesn’t look back or say a word to assure me that everything is going to be fine. If anything, he looks relieved to be walking away.
I wipe angry fingers at the renewed tears on my face, uncaring of what could be on my hands. It can’t hurt me any more than I’m hurting right now.
Once my face is dried, I head straight back to my little corner of the breakroom, although I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I may very well be minutes away from getting shown the damn door. Monahan walked in on a private moment, one that had no business happening at the police station. He’s the boss. The one that approved my internship, and he’s also the man that can easily yank it right out from under me a week and a half before graduation.
Chapter 19
Colton
My heart is pounding more than it did when I had to sit my parents down to tell them that I got a girl pregnant after a drunken bad decision, but I’ll face this the exact same way. I haven’t backed down or made excuses for a bad decision in my life.
She’s not a bad decision.
And yet, I somehow managed to take advantage of her while she was upset.
“Fuck,” I mumble as I step into Monahan’s office.
“Close the door.” He doesn’t move from his leaning position against the front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
With my gloved hands, I place the letter that upset Sophia on the corner of a side table and do as he asks. I respect the hell out of this man, and since I know I deserve a dressing down, I’m gonna sit here and fucking take it. Hopefully, it doesn’t end in the request for my gun and badge.
“We have a no fraternization policy.”
“We do.” Not that anyone follows it. Two of the women in dispatch are dating the same damn patrol officer, and it makes for some really intense investigations some days.
“Sophia Anderson was required to complete the same paperwork with human resources as if she were being hired for a permanent position with the department.”
“Okay.” I didn’t know that, but it makes total sense. We deal with some pretty serious stuff up here.
“You can’t start something with her while she’s working here.”
I don’t miss the fact that he doesn’t say never.
“Her father wouldn’t be very happy to know you were taking advantage of his daughter while she was trying to finish her school year.”
“I’m not taking advantage of her, Chief.”
Yet, only moments ago I was berating myself for feeling like I did.
“So it’s a mutual thing?”
“There’s no thing, Chief.”
“I’ve been a cop for as long as you’ve been alive, son. I know what I saw. She’s out of here in less than two weeks. You’re going to need to hit the brakes on it until she’s out of here.”
“Chief.” He holds his hand up to silence me, and my jaw snaps shut.
“I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed because I want that girl working here. She’s the best intern we’ve ever had. I can’t employ her, knowing you’re having a relationship with her.” His eyes narrow. “Just how far have you taken things with her.”
I glare back at him, my agitation at not being able to explain getting the best of me. “Are you asking as my boss or as her father’s friend?”
He pauses, clearly deciding which direction he wants to go. “Both.”
I huff a laugh. No middle ground, I see.
“I’m supervising her while she does her internship, as I was told to do.”
“And your supervision requires daily hugs?” He scoffs. “You’re not fooling me, Matthews. I’m old and married, but I still know a gorgeous woman when I see one.”