Page 48 of Fighting For You

Wyatt turned to her. "Liz Halstead and Jen Burnham are the same Liz and Jen that bullied you in high school?"

Andy took a sip of her beer. "Yup."

"We've been around them this whole time?"

"Yup."

"How did I not put that together?"

She leaned over. "Because" — she kissed his cheek — "you're a man."

Andy turned back to me. "Seriously, though. Don't let them get to you. Their opinions don't matter. The opinions of the people who love you are the ones that matter." She held my eyes. "As long as you're doing good work, you'll be fine. And if they ever try to get you in trouble, document everything and go to HR."

Travis raised his glass. "Wow. Spoken like a real cop."

"Shut up, Travis."

The table laughed.

Something loosened in my chest. I was still frustrated. Liz and Jen were still going to be on that floor Monday morning. But sitting here, with Knox beside me and the sound of this table around us, the weight felt manageable. I could go back and be fine.

Knox drove me home that night. He pulled into Barb's driveway and put the truck in park. The porch light was on. The house was quiet.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I smiled. "I feel a lot better. I'm glad I went out tonight."

He nodded. Then he rested his hands on the steering wheel and looked straight ahead for a second, choosing his words.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"What about?"

"There's this place in Oatman I want to take you to."

I looked at him. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yes." He met my eyes. "But only if you want to."

I smiled. "Yes. I want to."

Knox smiled back. "Okay. I'll text you the details."

I leaned across the console and kissed him on the cheek. "Good night, Knox."

"Good night."

I climbed out of the truck and walked to the front door. Before I went inside, I turned back. He was still in the driveway, still watching. I waved. He lifted a hand off the wheel.

I went inside and shut the door behind me.

CHAPTER 13

Oatman

KNOX

The next time our days off hit a Saturday, I pulled into Barb's driveway at eight.