A Reunion And A Ring (Proposals & Promises 1)

“You didn’t like security work?” she asked to distract herself.

“Hated it. Especially after Molly and I broke up and it got too awkward to work for her dad. So I left that job and took one selling construction equipment for my uncle. When that didn’t work out, I tried my hand at driving a delivery truck. Bored out of my mind. I thought about going back to school, maybe training to be an EMT, maybe some sort of medical technician. But when it came time to make a decision, I knew what the answer had to be. I’m a cop. I’m pretty sure I was born a cop. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be, all I know how to be. It’s not always a nice job—it can be ugly and traumatic and sometimes even boring. It gets too little respect and damned little gratitude most of the time. But sometimes, someone names their kid after you. So, I told everyone who wanted me to do something else that I was sorry if it disappointed them, but this is what I had to do. And I’m never again going to try to change who I am just to keep someone else happy.”

Gavin knew who he was. What he wanted. Where he belonged. As much as it pained her to admit it, she both admired and rather envied his certainty.

If she’d had even the most tentative thought that perhaps he’d be ready now to move on to something less hazardous, that his latest on-the-job injury would discourage him from staying on the force, she surrendered it then. Studying him through her lashes, she realized he might as well be wearing a uniform rather than his polo shirt and khakis. Even off-duty, he was all cop. And anyone who loved him would have to be willing to love that part of him, as well.

“So, anyway, there’s my story for the past ten years,” he said, spreading his hands. “You asked, and I’ve answered. I trained for my career, got a degree, had a few relationships that didn’t work out, tried a couple other jobs I didn’t care for and made a lot of good friends. All in all, I’m content with my life. I’m looking forward to being on the job again soon. When I take time off, I want it to be for vacation, not sick leave.”

“So this latest, um, incident didn’t shake your confidence.” Making it a statement rather than a question, she nodded toward his shoulder.

“No. Maybe a few bad dreams the first night or two, but no more than to be expected, and I was prepared for it. I can handle my work and everything that comes with it. Just had to make sure before that I’d made the right choice.”

As candid as he was being with her, Gavin wouldn’t like being seen as vulnerable. Nor did she think of him in that way.

“It sounds like a good life,” she said quietly, trying to smile. “Exactly what you always wanted.”

“Maybe not exactly,” he said, his eyes locked with hers. “But close.”

She didn’t know how to respond, other than, “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“And you? Are you happy, Jen?”

Shifting her weight on the sofa where she’d perched, she twisted the ring on her right hand, a nice costume piece from her shop. “I told you about my career when we were at the cabin. I love owning my own store, and I’m excited about the second store I’ll be opening in Jonesboro. The work keeps me insanely busy, but I’ve enjoyed almost every minute of it.”

“It was what you always wanted to do. Be a successful business owner, I mean.”

“Yes, and I’ve accomplished that.”

His eyebrows rose, and she wondered what he’d heard in her voice. “Why did that sound like past tense?”

She felt a muscle twitch in her jaw, a quickly suppressed grimace. “Not past tense,” she assured him. “I’m just keeping my options open. I mean, I want to stay busy and productive and useful, whatever direction I take next. Even if I’m not personally overseeing the boutiques on a daily basis, I could start a charitable foundation or get involved in a political cause. Something important that would let me utilize my talents and training.”

He eyed her with a hint of skepticism. “Since when do you care about politics?”

“I’ve always been involved in community activities,” she reminded him a little too heatedly. “Even in college, I was a member and officer of several civic organizations.”

“True. But mostly because you were already starting to make future business connections,” he murmured, and she couldn’t argue with him because he wasn’t entirely wrong.

“I’ve matured,” she said instead, both her tone and her posture a little stiff. “We all do eventually. It’s important to me to try to make a positive difference, just as you do in your daily work.”

“Are you thinking about selling your shops after you open the one in Jonesboro?” he asked bluntly.

Even hearing the possibility put into words made her throat tighten, but she answered candidly. “Maybe.”

“Why? The boyfriend doesn’t like sharing you with

your work?”

And here was finally the subject they’d been avoiding, and yet was the primary reason they’d needed to talk. Gavin’s tone was cutting enough to make her chin rise defensively.

“Thad would never tell me what to do with my career. But if I accept his proposal, I’d be traveling with him quite a bit and busy with a lot of things outside my boutique business. I’m not sure I’d have time to do justice to both endeavors, and you know how I feel about doing anything halfway.”

“Thad Simonson, right? One of those Simonsons. Of Simonson, McKenzie and Ogilvie.”

She nodded to confirm the long-established law firm that had jump-started so many political careers, from local offices to Washington, DC. The Simonson name was on a few buildings in the area, including a law school library, so it was no surprise Gavin was familiar with the family, though she didn’t think she’d mentioned Thad’s last name to him yet. She didn’t ask how he knew. She and Thad had appeared together at several prominent local events during the past few months, so maybe a mutual acquaintance had mentioned to him that she’d been seeing Thad Simonson.

“Congratulations, Jen.” His voice was indifferent now, deceptively so, judging by the way his eyes had darkened to a glittering navy. “You snagged yourself a lawyer, after all.”