When We Kiss

“Bob Green’s approval is usually a red flag in my experience. Seems it still is.”

“Don’t do this.” My jaw is clenched again. “Don’t shut us down because of what he said. You know what we have is special.”

“I thought it was. Then I found out how much I didn’t know.”

“You know everything that matters.” I take a step toward her. I want to hold her, kiss her. Everything would change if I could just kiss her.

Her back is to the door, and she shakes her head. “I don’t lik

e secrets. I don’t like feeling like you’re living a double life. I don’t like feeling like you have all these unresolved feelings and one day you could just leave. I can’t let you…”

“Tabby, all I want is you.” My hands are on the door, one palm on each side of her head, and I have her caged. “I want you.”

Leaning down, I’m just about to take her lips when she opens the door and goes inside. It slams in my face, and I place my forehead against the wood. I know she’s right on the other side, and my chest aches at this barrier between us.

“Tabby…” My voice is loud enough for her to hear me if she’s there.

She doesn’t answer, and I have to walk away.

The Tuna Tiki is crowded for the off-season, but I don’t care. I don’t even look around at the Friday night revelers. I lean on the bar and order another whiskey. It’s my fourth.

“You know Jimmy Rhodes is the only Uber driver in Oceanside County right now.” Robbie Cole’s familiar voice pulls me away from my drink. He’s smiling gently. “What’s on your mind, cowboy?”

“Women.” I lean heavily on the bar.

He chuckles and sits next to me, signaling the bartender. “I’ll have a Coke.”

The bartender nods and turns away.

I give him a glance. He’s dressed in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt. “What are you doing here on a Friday night? I thought you were on duty.”

“Just finished having dinner with my family. I told them to head on back to the house when I saw you.” He takes a sip of Coke, and I take a sip of whiskey. “Did you drive your truck up here?”

I nod and he nods in response. “Figured I could give you a ride home. Then check in at the station.”

I don’t answer. I’m feeling the alcohol, although it’s not taking the edge off my anger.

He gives me a wink. “You don’t look like you’re up for a ride home from Jimmy.”

My jaw clenches, and a growl is in my throat. “You ever wish you could stop being a sheriff… just for five minutes?”

That gets me a real laugh. “All the time, friend. All the time” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll pass the longer you’re here.”

We’re quiet a moment. Music filters around us. I can’t stop thinking about tonight, all that went down.

“How’d dinner with your mom and Tabby go?”

“About like you’d expect.” I rest my elbow on the bar, rubbing my eyes with one hand.

“That good?” He chuckles again. “Tabby Green is something else. She always has been. I saw your mom earlier today. She hasn’t changed much.”

“Never truer words…”

He looks down at his drink. “How’s your dad doing?”

“I don’t know. The same I guess.”

Robbie sits back, holding his soft drink. “Your family’s been dealt a heavy blow. I can’t imagine losing a child. Be patient with your folks. If you can.”