Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
"I promise," he replied with a tiny smile.
"Thank you. Now, let's get you into the cruiser before you freeze." I led him to the car with a hand to his back, and opened the passenger door for him. Once he was in, he pressed his back into the seat, allowing me room to reach in and buckle his belt. It amazed me how easily and willingly he allowed me to care for him.
Once I shut his door, I jogged around to the driver's side and slid in behind the steering wheel, finding Henley giving me a curious look.
"Why are you still driving the police car when you're off duty?"
"Most of the officers from my precinct are allowed to drive their cruisers home. The force has found that crime is lower in neighborhoods where police cars are visible. Plus, if we are called out for an emergency, we have our vehicle at our disposal.” I was allowed one passenger to ride with me while I was off duty.
“That makes sense.”
I smiled and buckled my own belt across my chest. “So, how was work?”
“We were really busy today. I didn’t even get a chance to eat the lunch I packed, which is a shame; it was a really good lunch.”
I couldn’t contain my curiosity. I jutted my chin towards his lunchbox and asked, “What’s in there?”
Henley unzipped the box and tipped it towards me so I could see inside. Oh dear. It was filled to the brim with chips, cookies, snack cakes, and soda; nothing of actual nutritional value.
I wondered if all of his meals looked like that, and the possibility didn’t sit right with me. I wanted to make sure he got the food he needed, and I wanted to be the one to give it to him.
“That does look tasty, but you need some food that’s good for you. I bet you’re starving after going all day without eating, and I’d like to take you out for dinner.”
Henley’s eyes stretched wide as he stared at me, and I worried I’d scared him. My thoughts raced to try and put him at ease, but he finally answered, “I…that’s…yes.”
I chuckled from relief and excitement. “Great. I know just the place.” I backed the car out of the parking lot and pulled onto the main road. When I looked over at Henley, I found him smiling down at his hands in his lap. I hated to bring down his mood, but I had something I needed to tell him; I wouldn’t keep anything from him. “I have some information for you about the person who hit your car earlier.”
His eyes snapped to me again. “You found them? Are they okay?”
So sweet. "She was okay physically, but she is in quite a bit of trouble; she was driving with a suspended license while under the influence." I'd thought it would be one or the other, but I was surprised to learn it was both.
“What happened to her?”
“Well, right now she’s sitting in jail. She’ll be arraigned, then she’ll have a bail hearing, and finally, she’ll go through a trial.”
His fingers found their way into his curls. “That sounds scary.”
Henley was remarkable; this woman had done him wrong, but he was only concerned for her wellbeing. Maybe if there were more people like Henley in the world, there would be less need for jobs like mine.
“She’ll be okay.” Or she wouldn’t; I really didn’t care. She had broken the law in multiple ways, and put Henley (as well as everyone else on the road) in danger. The only thing I could say positively about her was that I met this sweet man due to her negligence.
“I hope so.”
I wanted to lift his spirits, so I changed the subject with, “Well I hope you like burgers. I’m taking you to my favorite spot, and they have the best burgers in town.” Maybe it wasn’t the healthiest food option, but at least he’d be eating protein.
“I love them!” Henley’s face lit up and right on cue, his stomach let out a loud growl. I thought that he would get embarrassed at the noise, but instead, he chuckled and added, “Told you.” I hoped that meant Henley was getting more comfortable around me.
“I better get you to the restaurant before your belly eats through the seatbelt.”
Henley snickered into his hand and I grinned like an idiot as I drove a few blocks over, before pulling into the lot of a restaurant called Flip’s and shifting into park.
“Hey, I’ve eaten here before,” Henley said with a smile. “I’ve never had their burgers, though; I’ve always gotten chicken wings.”
I gasped and pressed my hand to my chest. Poor Henley looked concerned until I said, “Chicken wings? At Flip’s? I’m not sure that’s even legal.”
“That’s okay; I’m already in a cop car,” he replied before snickering again. It sounded like sweet Henley may also have a sassy side, and I loved it.