Page 14 of Dare To Kiss You
But I know from past experiences that women like Kat, women who have their future planned out with goals and dreams, don’t want guys who will never be more than a regular old police officer with zero chance of moving up in rank.
Because you’d have to apply for promotions in order to get them.
Together, we collect her belongings and make our way back to my patrol car. Moments later, we’re back on the highway, slowly making our way toward town.
Once we’re in the warmth of my car, Kat removes her heavy winter coat, twisting her upper body to put it behind us. The action brings her close to me, and I get a whiff of her shampoo, some sort of fresh tropical smell. Her shoulder brushes mine as she turns to face forward and I shift in my seat, gripping the steering wheel tightly. We’ve never been in such close quarters. This is going to be torture.
“Thanks for this, Hunter,” she says quietly, and I chance a quick look at her. She’s watching me.
“Of course. It’s my job to save helpless maidens, you know,” I reply, continuing with my jokes. Humour has been my defense mechanism for so long, it’s just natural when I feel out of my element.
And being this close to Kat? I’mdefinitelyout of my element.
“I’m going to ignore the helpless maiden part of that, and just say I know it’s your job, but I’m still really glad it was you who came to my rescue.”
My dumbass heart flip-flops around in my chest. That stupid organ doesn’t know any better; doesn’t know Kat Donnelly is not for us.
“I’m glad it was me, too.” The words slip out, quieter and more serious than anything else I’ve said so far.
All too soon, we’re pulling into Dogwood Cove and cruising down the street toward our two houses.
“Want me to shovel your driveway when I get back from the station?” I ask, half hoping she’ll say yes, half hoping she won’t because Ihateshoveling snow.
“No, that’s okay. Beckett said he’s coming to do it after he finishes Mom and Dad’s house.”
“Okay.”
Kat hesitates, her coat and bag in her arms.
Ask her out, you dumbass.But I don’t.
Instead, I just sit there as she climbs out of my patrol car and leans back down through the open door. “Thanks again, Hunter.”
“No problem.”
I watch her walk up to her front door, open it, and close it behind her without ever looking back at my car. Only then do I drop my head to the steering wheel with a loud thunk.
“You are a fucking coward, Hunter Callaghan.”
And I have been ever since I was seventeen.
The last time I let myself get involved romantically with anyone.
The first time I realized my struggles might not have been myfault,but they would forever make me less than anyone else who didn’t have them.
Chapter seven
Kat
“Is this stupid? Maybe this is stupid. How ridiculously corny is it to drop off Christmas cookies as a thank you?”
“Be honest, Kat, those cookies are more than just a thank you,” Lily waggles her eyebrows at me through the phone screen.
“Remind me again why I called you?” I ask drily.
“Because you were getting cold feet, and as your best friend, I’m the perfect person to tell you to woman up and give the man your cookies. And I’m not just talking about the ones you’re baking.”
“Good grief, Lil.” I can feel the heat flushing my cheeks. I’m no prude, but Lily takes her brazenness to a whole other level.
