of eight. Mine was that way after.
It might be just a coincidence, but it felt like more than that.
Far too soon, the sun began rising. Even though it was the last thing I wanted to do, I knew the magical time we’d shared had to end. “We better get going if we’re gonna make it to the police station before I have to be at work.” I sighed and started to get up.
He held me in place and I turned toward him.
“Thank you,” he said in earnest.
“For what?”
“For telling me about your childhood, about your mom, about Hal. I might be wrong, but I don’t think you open up to people that often.”
“I never open up to people.” I let out a nervous laugh. I’d told Billy things I’d never told another soul.
“I’m honored.” He ran his thumb along my jawline. “And I promise to work every day to be the kind of man that Hal would’ve been happy and proud to see by your side.”
With that declaration, he kissed me on the forehead and hopped out of bed. I lay there in stunned silence for several seconds. There were so many things he could’ve said. How did he know the ones that would hit a bull’s-eye when it came to what really mattered to me? All I’d ever wanted was for Hal to be happy and proud of me and the life I chose. And that included my partner.
One of the things that had always bothered me about Blaine was that I knew Hal wouldn’t have approved of him. How did Billy know that him saying that would mean more to me than a thousand I love yous, or a million promises of happily ever afters?
I had no idea, but I was done trying to make sense of it. From here on out, I was just going to enjoy the ride with Billy.
“Showers warmed!” He called out. “Get your cute ass in here.”
They weren’t pretty words, but they were perfect words.
CHAPTER 47
Billy
Walking through the doors of Firefly’s small police station without cuffs on was a welcome change of pace. I’d never been picked up for anything serious. Joyriding when I was a teenager, drunk and disorderly after graduation. Things of that nature. I’d cleaned up my act after I’d taken over operations at the bar, but stepping foot into this building again was bringing back memories of my misspent youth.
“Well, hello, there, Billy Comfort. I swear, if you aren’t a sight for sore eyes.”
I turned my head toward the silky purr. Well, damn, speaking of blasts from the past…
Sitting at the reception desk, wearing a red blouse as tight and low-cut as the one she’d worn the night I brought her home, was…Sharon? Cheryl?
Dang it. This was exactly why I’d always employed the darlin’-baby-honey rule. Names run together. Endearments never fail.
Until I’d met Reagan. I turned to look at her and noticed the only tell that she had any reaction at all to the woman behind the counter was that her lips were slightly pursed the way they’d been yesterday morning up at Harlan’s place when I was sandwiched between two very friendly women. I’d never been a fan of jealousy, but I had to admit, seeing Reagan affected by other females’ attention toward me was kind of adorable. Then again, everything Reagan did was adorable.
I turned back to Sharon…Cheryl…Shannon…Shasta? Could it be Shasta? …and said, “Thanks, good to see you. I was hopin’ maybe you could help us out.”
She leaned forward, showing off what her mama gave her and her shirt was accentuating. “Anything for you, Billy Comfort. Anything.”
The tone she used when whisper-talking those words, not to mention the wink she topped them off with, made it really clear what it was she meant by anything. Hell, not that the words themselves left all that much to the imagination.
I slid an arm around Reagan’s waist. I wanted to make it abundantly clear that I was not on the menu. “Thanks. I’d like to get a copy of the police report from my mama’s accident.”
The blonde sat back, her hawk-like gaze traveling back and forth between me and Reagan until she finally rolled her eyes. “Full name and date of the incident.”
I gave her the information and she began to type on the computer. Her face looked more put out than anything else as her acrylic nails tapped on the keys. But after a few keystrokes, a crease appeared between her brows and she stared at the screen,