“Dad’s the Chief.” He shrugs. “Police academy attendance was basically a birthright.”
“Right. I forgot.” My lips twist into a smile. “You always threw the rowdiest parties back in high school, but the cops mysteriously never busted them. I wonder why?”
He grins wider. “Those were the good old days. Been ages since I threw a good old fashioned Tomlinson rager. Speaking of — I’m planning a big BBQ and bonfire for the Fourth next weekend…” His eyes twinkle in the sunshine as he stares down at me. “You should come!”
“Oh. Um… I’m not sure I’ll still be in town. But thanks.”
“You never were big into the party scene, even back in our Exeter days. Haven’t changed a bit, I see.” He leans forward, still grinning. “I take that back. You’re even prettier now.”
“Are you flirting with me, Tomlinson?”
“Do you want me to?”
“No.”
“Then of course I’m not flirting with you, Valentine. Gosh, can’t a man do his job without being treated like a piece of meat?”
I roll my eyes. “My apologies, officer.”
“Anyway, how the hell are you? Last I’d heard you were over in Europe somewhere, ruling the world with your folks at their nonprofit.”
“I don’t know about theruling the worldpart.” I scoff. “But you heard right, I’ve been living in Geneva since last summer. Glad to know the Manchester rumor mill is still running at top speed.”
“You know the drill, Valentine. Everyone talks. Town this small, it’s shocking I didn’t catch wind of it the minute your plane touched down.”
“You’re actually the first person I’ve bumped into.”
“Well, in that case, let me be the first to welcome you home.”
“Thanks.”
“Must be weird to come back after so long away.”
“Sort of.” I drum the steering wheel lightly with my fingertips. “Nothing’s the same.”
His brows lift. “Seriously? Figured it’d be the opposite. Far as I can tell, nothing in this place has changed since the colonists came over on the freakin’ Mayflower.”
He’s right.
The town itself isn’t different.
It’s me that’s changed.
“So, what brought you back?” Chris asks, curiosity plain in his voice.
“Would you believe me if I told you I just missed driving this car?”
“Actually, I might.” His eyes are crinkled in good humor. “Downright criminal to let her rot in a dusty garage. Though in my new, official capacity as an officer of the law, it’s my duty to suggest you drive her at a slightly more reasonable speed from now on.”
I salute him sharply. “Sir, yes, sir.”
“Where were you speeding to so fast, anyway? I think I’ve got a right to know if I’m going to let you off without a ticket.” He pauses. “Though if you say you have a hot date, I might have to reconsider…”
A laugh tumbles from my lips. “Nothing nearly so exciting. I’m heading down to Providence. I have a meeting with my academic advisor at Brown. They want me to decide whether I’m attending in the fall or deferring my acceptance again.”
“And?”
“Honestly? I have no idea what I’m going to do.”