Blue Smoke

Steve were married now, nearly a year into it. There was no reason to keep up a two-bedroom apartment.
    She knew her parents thought it was a little silly for her to live there, when her room was still kept at home. And they’d argued with her about paying rent. She’d had to remind them they’d raised her to be responsible, and make her own way.
    She considered the apartment a first step. Eventually, she wanted a house of her own. But that was eventually. And there was something cozy and comforting living above the shop, and a stone’s throw from her parents. A block from Fran and Jack.
    When she reached the back, she saw the light was on in her living room. Instinctively she opened her coat so her weapon was in easy reach. In all her years on the force, she’d only had to draw it twice in the line. It always felt slightly foreign in her hand.

    She started up the steps, going back over her routine. She’d left before dawn, maybe she forgot to turn off the light. But it was a habit, her mother was a bear about wasting electricity, and it had been drummed into her since birth.
    One hand stayed on her weapon as she reached for the doorknob to check the lock. The door swung open, her weapon was half out. Then she shot it back into place with a huff of breath.
    “Luke! How long have you been here?”
    “Couple hours. I told you I might stop by tonight.”
    True enough, she thought as her heart rate leveled. She’d forgotten. Pleased to see him, she came in out of the cold, offered her lips.
    The kiss was brief, perfunctory and had her raising her brows. Normally he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. She felt the same. There was a sexy elegance about Luke Chambers, a tailored sensuality she found exciting. As she found his avid and romantic pursuit of her from the moment they’d met.
    She’d enjoyed being pursued, being courted with flowers and phone calls, romantic dinners, long walks by the water.
    She enjoyed, very much, being seen as completely female, and just a little delicate. A nice change of pace, she’d thought, from being considered sturdy and competent.
    It was probably why it hadn’t taken him long to get her into bed. But it had taken three months before she’d given him a key to her door.
    “I stopped in downstairs to get some dinner, caught up with Fran.” She unwound her scarf, pulled off her hat, then did a little twirl. “I had the best day, Luke, and the best news when I—”
    “Glad somebody did.” He moved away from her, turned off the TV he’d been watching, then slumped in a chair.
    Okay, she thought. He was sexy and interesting and often sweetly romantic. But he was also a lot of work. She didn’t mind that. In fact, being in what was largely a man’s world most of her day helped her enjoy little bits of being softer, and more consolatory in a relationship.

    “Rough one?” She peeled off her coat, her gloves, put everything away in the narrow closet.
    “My assistant gave her two weeks’ notice.”
    “Oh?” Reena finger-combed her long curls, thought idly about trying a new style. Then felt guilty for not paying attention. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She bent to unlace her boots. “Why is she leaving?”
    “Decided she wants to move back to Oregon, for God’s sake. Just like that. Now I’ve got to set up interviews, get somebody in she can train before she leaves. This on top of three out-of-office meetings today. My head’s killing me.”
    “I’ll get you some aspirin.” She walked over, leaned down to kiss the top of his head. He had such nice, silky hair, mink brown like his eyes.
    As she straightened, he took her hand, gave her a tired smile. “Thanks. Last meeting ran late, and I just wanted to see you. Decompress.”
    “You should’ve stopped in downstairs. Decompression’s always on the menu at Sirico’s.”
    “So’s noise,” he said as she moved into the bathroom. “I was hoping for a quiet evening.”
    “It’s quiet now.” She brought out the bottle, carried it into the little kitchen with its old workhorse of a stove and cheerful yellow counters. “I’ll join you in a couple of aspirin. I had a lot of champagne down below. Major celebration.”
    “Yeah, you looked to be having a hell of a time. I glanced in the window before I came around back.”
    “Well, you should’ve at least poked your head in.” She handed him the aspirin, the water.
    “I had a headache, Cat. And I didn’t want to sit around in a noisy restaurant