What if Tim had a daughter?

Part 26

Back at the station, Tim and Lucy walked through the bustling precinct, the buzz of radios and chatter filling the air. Tim's shoulders were squared, but Lucy could see the slight tension in his jaw as they approached Nyla's desk.
Nyla glanced up as they neared, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
Nyla- Well, well, what do we have here? Bradford and Chen. Should I be concerned?
Lucy smirked, leaning casually against the edge of Nyla's desk.
Lucy- Concerned? Nah. Tim just has something he wants to ask you.
Nyla's gaze flicked to Tim, her eyebrows raising expectantly.
Nyla- Oh, this should be good. Go on, Bradford. What do you need?
Tim hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. Lucy could practically feel his discomfort, and a small pang of guilt tugged at her. As much as she enjoyed teasing him, she didn't want to leave him squirming.
Lucy- Actually, I told him I'd help out. He's looking to arrange a sleepover for Olivia at your place.
Nyla's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but the surprise quickly gave way to a smirk that mirrored Lucy's earlier teasing.
Nyla- A sleepover? And you couldn't ask me yourself, Bradford? What, did you think I'd bite?
Tim let out a slow breath, his tone dry.
Tim- I just figured Lucy could streamline the process.
Nyla chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation.
Nyla- Streamline the process? Is that what we're calling it now?
Lucy chimed in, her voice light.
Lucy- To be fair, I offered. He's a little... hesitant when it comes to asking for help.
Nyla- Hesitant? Please. The man's allergic to it.
Tim shot Lucy a quick glare, but she just grinned, clearly unbothered.
Tim- Are you done?
Nyla smirked, clearly savoring the moment.
Nyla- Almost. So, let me get this straight—you need me to babysit Olivia so you can do... what?
Tim- It's a surprise for her. Just need her out of the house for a night.
Nyla considered this for a moment, then nodded.
Nyla- Fine. Lila's been asking to hang out with Olivia anyway. But just so you know, Tim...othy , I'm only doing this because Olivia's a sweetheart. Not because you asked so... smoothly or whatever you want to call it.
Lucy chuckled, shooting Tim a playful look.
Lucy- See? That wasn't so hard, was it?
Tim ignored her, focusing on Nyla.
Tim- Thanks. I appreciate it.
Nyla leaned back in her chair, clearly still amused.
Nyla- You're welcome. But just so we're clear, I'm going to hold this over your head for a while.
Lucy laughed outright at that, and even Tim let out a reluctant chuckle.
Tim- Wouldn't expect anything less.
After a few more jokes at Tim's expense, they headed back to the front desks. Lucy walked beside him, her grin lingering.
This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, Tim thought. Well, it was because of Lucy, but it was one of the most human-like conversations he probably ever had with Nyla.
Lucy- You owe me for that one, you know.
Tim shot her a side glance, his lips twitching upward.
Tim- What? You're not counting this as your good deed for the day?
Lucy- Oh, it's definitely a good deed. But don't think for a second you're off the hook.
Tim shook his head, but the camaraderie between them felt easy, natural, and it carried them through the rest of the day as they settled back into work.
Back behind the front desk, Tim and Lucy settled into their usual spots. The station had quieted down considerably, with only the occasional visitor or phone calls to break the monotony. Tim leaned back in his chair, absently flipping through a few forms, though his attention wasn't really on them.
Lucy sat next to him, her notepad open, idly scribbling as she twirled her pen. They'd talked earlier—about work, Olivia, and even a few ridiculous topics—but now, a companionable silence had settled between them.
Tim rested his elbow on the desk, his eyes fixed on some indeterminate point across the area, his expression unreadable. Lucy, on the other hand, alternated between scribbling something in her notepad and glancing at him.
Time ticked by slowly, the hum of the station providing the only background noise.
Then, out of nowhere, Lucy started chuckling softly.
Tim turned his head, raising an eyebrow at her.
Tim- What?
Lucy looked up from her notepad, biting her lip to stifle her laughter.
Lucy looked at Tim, then glanced down at her notepad with a mischievous glint in her eye before looking back at him. Without saying a word, she held the notepad up in front of her face for a moment, letting the anticipation build, and then flipped it around to show him what was inside.
Tim squinted at the page, his head tilting slightly as he tried to decipher the... thing that stared back at him.
It was a drawing—or at least, it was supposed to be. A crude, lopsided figure with exaggerated shoulders, a tiny head, and what could only be described as a comically grim expression. The "Tim" on the page looked more like a caricature drawn by someone with their eyes closed.
Tim blinked before bursting into laughter, the sound sudden and hearty.
Tim- What... what is that supposed to be?
Lucy gasped, clutching the notebook to her chest in mock offense.
Lucy- Excuse you! That's you!
Tim laughed harder, shaking his head.
Tim- Me? You're kidding, right?
Lucy held the notepad back up, pointing to the oversized shoulders.
Lucy- See? The broad shoulders, the serious face... I even added the scowl you wear 90% of the time. It's uncanny.
Tim leaned forward, still laughing as he examined the drawing again.
Tim- Uncanny? Chen, this looks like a linebacker met a cartoon villain and had a bad day.
Lucy pouted dramatically, though her grin betrayed her amusement.
Lucy- I was bored, okay? I thought I'd try to draw something , but... maybe art isn't my thing.
Tim- Maybe?
Lucy swatted at him lightly with the notepad, her own laughter bubbling over.
Lucy- Hey! You're not exactly the easiest subject to capture, Bradford. Next time, I'll stick to drawing my plant, Fernando.
Tim shook his head, still grinning as he leaned back in his chair.
Tim- Do me a favor and never draw again. But thanks for the laugh. I needed that.
Lucy smirked, closing her notebook with an exaggerated flourish.
Lucy- Never draw again? Wow, Tim, harsh. You really know how to crush a girl's dreams.
Tim raised an eyebrow, still grinning.
Tim- I'm just saying. Stick to things you're good at, like... annoying me.
Lucy feigned a gasp, pressing a hand to her chest in mock offense.
Lucy- Annoying you? Please. I'm a delight, and you know it.
Tim leaned back in his chair, his grin turning into a smirk.
Tim- A delight? That's debatable.
Lucy waved her notepad in his direction, narrowing her eyes playfully.
Lucy- Careful, Bradford. Keep talking, and this "delight" might start a whole gallery of terrible portraits just for you.
Tim chuckled, shaking his head.
Tim- Go ahead. I'm sure Liv would get a kick out of them.
Lucy tapped her pen against her notepad, her smirk growing as Tim leaned back in his chair, flipping absently through a report.
Tim- So, what are you working on now? Another attempt at modern art?
Lucy didn't look up, her pen still moving across the page.
Lucy- Wouldn't you like to know?
Tim raised an eyebrow, setting the report down.
Tim- Oh, I definitely would. If only so I can brace myself for the second wave of whatever that last drawing was supposed to be.
Lucy gasped, clutching her chest in mock offense.
Lucy- Wow. I pour my creative soul onto the page, and this is the thanks I get? You're ruthless, Bradford.
Tim smirked, folding his arms across his chest.
Tim- Call it constructive criticism. But if your "creative soul" looks anything like that linebacker-villain hybrid, you might want to try something else.
Lucy didn't respond immediately. Instead, she kept scribbling, her expression carefully neutral. Tim's smirk faltered slightly as he watched her.
Tim- Oh, come on, don't tell me I actually hurt your feelings. Lucy, I—
Before he could finish, Lucy ripped a page from her notepad with a flourish and handed it to him, her face perfectly serious.
Tim unfolded the paper, his brow furrowing as he stared at the bold letters written in blocky handwriting: DILLIGAF.
He held it up, tilting his head in confusion.
Tim- Dill... uh... gaff? Is this some kind of code? Or did you just sneeze while writing?
Lucy burst out laughing, her shoulders shaking as she leaned back in her chair.
Lucy- It's an acronym, genius.
Tim squinted at her, clearly unimpressed.
Tim- Alright, I'll bite. What does it stand for?
Lucy straightened, her voice dropping into a slow, exaggerated deadpan as she delivered the punchline.
Lucy- Do. I. Look. Like. I. Give. A. Fuck.
Tim froze for a second, then let out a laugh. He shook his head, holding the paper up like it was a prized artifact.
Tim- You've got some nerve, Chen. Some nerve.
Lucy shrugged, her grin unapologetic.
Lucy- And yet, here we are, still talking. What does that say about you?
Tim shook his head, tucking the paper into his pocket.
Tim- It says I've got a lot more patience than I thought.
Lucy smirked, spinning her pen between her fingers.
Lucy- Patience? Nah, you just secretly enjoy the chaos.
Tim didn't respond immediately, but the faint smirk tugging at his lips said enough. The banter, though relentless, had a way of making the hours fly by.
The hours at the station ticked by in the usual rhythm of minor calls and paperwork, and before long, it was time for Tim to leave and pick up Olivia from school. Lucy tagged along, claiming it was "strictly for moral support."
As they pulled up in front of the school, Olivia was already waiting by the curb, her backpack slung over one shoulder. Her face lit up when she saw her dad, and she hopped into the car.
Olivia- Hey, Dad! Hi, Lucy!
Tim- Hey, kiddo. How was school?
Olivia launched into a lively recap of her day, detailing everything from her math quiz to an impressive dodgeball victory. Tim listened attentively, chiming in with the occasional question or laugh, while Lucy leaned against the car seat, smiling at Olivia's energy.
When the chatter finally wound down, Lucy reached into her picked , pulling out her notepad with a dramatic flourish.
Lucy- So, Liv, I need your expert opinion on something. Be honest, okay?
Olivia's eyes sparkled with curiosity as Lucy flipped to the infamous sketch of Tim and handed it over.
Lucy- What do you think?
Olivia studied the drawing, her expression careful.
Olivia- Umm... it's... good!
The pause before the compliment was enough to make Tim laugh so hard he had to grip the steering wheel for support.
Tim- Good? Liv, you don't have to lie to her. She knows it's terrible.
Lucy rolled her eyes, snatching the notepad back.
Lucy- Okay, first of all, I didn't have much time. And second, art is subjective, Bradford.
Olivia- It's not that bad!
Olivia giggled, clearly caught in the middle, before holding out her hand.
Olivia- Here, give me a pen. I'll show you.
Lucy handed over her pen, curious and maybe a little skeptical. Olivia flipped to a blank page and bent over her work, her pen moving quickly and confidently. In less than a minute, she turned the notepad around with a proud smile.
Her sketch of Tim was, well, impressive. It it captured his broad shoulders, serious demeanor, and even the faint scowl he wore most of the time. The resemblance was uncanny, and despite the simplicity, it had a charm Lucy's caricature couldn't touch.
Tim leaned over to look and immediately started laughing again.
Tim- Wow, Liv, you really showed her up. That's really good.
Lucy crossed her arms, pretending to be offended.
Lucy- Show off.
Olivia beamed, clearly pleased with herself as she handed the notepad back to Lucy.
Olivia- What can I say? I've had a lot of practice.
Lucy narrowed her eyes playfully, studying the sketch.
Lucy- Practice or not, you're making me look bad, kid. I was going for abstract, you know? Like Picasso.
Tim snorted, shaking his head.
Tim- Picasso? More like Picasso after three cups of bad coffee.
Lucy gave him a side glare, but her grin stayed intact.
Lucy- You know, I think I'm starting to see where Liv gets her sass.
As they parked in front of the station, the usual bustle of the place greeted them. Tim turned off the engine and grabbed his things. Olivia was already halfway out of the car, her energy practically buzzing in the air.
Olivia- Bye, Dad! Bye, Lucy! she called over her shoulder, running toward the station entrance with her backpack bouncing on her back.
Tim watched her go, shaking his head fondly.
Tim- She's got more energy than a whole squad of officers, I swear.
Lucy, who was already getting out of the car, shot him a teasing grin.
Lucy- She's a force of nature.
Tim grinned back, slinging his bag over his shoulder as they made their way inside. Tim and Lucy headed toward the front desk, taking their usual seats in the two chairs there. Olivia was already in the break room, chatting with whoever happened to be there.
Hours passed by in the usual routine of paperwork, phone calls, and the occasional visitor. The station seemed to move in a steady rhythm, but it wasn't until late afternoon that Olivia finally wandered over to the front desk, her eyes bright with that same curiosity and energy that always made Tim smile.
She peered over the counter and gave Tim and Lucy a quick smile before sliding into the space behind the desk.
Tim and Lucy were seated side by side at the front desk, their attention split between the computer screen and the light banter they shared about the day's cases. Olivia, as carefree as always, glanced around the busy precinct. Noticing there were only two chairs, she didn't hesitate—she perched herself on her dad's lap, sideways, her legs dangling comfortably. (To all the weirdos out there. It's normal for a dad to hold his kid, or for a kid to show affection towards the parents. It's just a father-daughter moment. Chill out.)
Tim barely reacted, used to his daughter's casual affection. His focus remained on the computer, his strong arms instinctively securing Olivia so she wouldn't slip. Meanwhile, Olivia sat facing Lucy, her bright eyes full of curiosity.
Lucy couldn't help but smile at the scene. She'd seen this kind of thing before—Olivia's unshakable closeness to her dad—but there was something different about witnessing it up close. As Tim leaned back slightly in his chair, Olivia naturally rested against him, her head briefly pressing into his chest.
It's adorable, Lucy thought, her heart swelling. He's always so serious, so guarded at work, but when it comes to Olivia, it's like he transforms. How could anyone resist this side of him?
She found herself lingering on the sight a moment too long. The way Tim adjusted without thinking, making sure Olivia was comfortable, the softness in his otherwise sharp features—it was all too...endearing. Lucy caught herself, quickly looking away before her thoughts went anywhere they shouldn't.
Olivia shifted suddenly, sitting up straight and looking at her dad with the air of someone about to deliver important news.
Olivia- Dad? Did I tell you about Career Day at my school next week?
Tim's brow furrowed as he glanced at his daughter.
Tim- Nope, don't think so.
Olivia sat up straighter, her face lighting up with excitement.
Olivia- You know, it's this thing where all the parents come in and talk about their jobs! Everyone's parents are going to be there. I really want you to come too, Dad. Will you?
Tim tilted his head, his stern expression softening as he looked at her.
Tim- Of course, kiddo. If you want me there, I'll be there.
Olivia's face broke into a grin, but before she could thank him, her eyes darted to Lucy.
Olivia- Lucy, you should come too!
Lucy blinked, caught off guard.
Lucy- Me? What would I even talk about?
Olivia- You're a police officer too! You might inspire some girls to become officers too. It's a male-dominated field, and you're awesome at your job. Plus, I bet you'll be way cooler than any of the parents there.
Tim choked back a laugh, shaking his head as Lucy raised an eyebrow.
Lucy- Way cooler than the parents, huh? Alright, Liv, I'll come. If you want me there, how could I say no? Besides, messing with the moms sounds like fun bonus.
Olivia giggled, clapping her hands in delight.
Tim- Alright, alright. I guess I'd better make this official.
He turned to his computer, pulling up his email. Typing quickly, he sent a message to Grey to request approval for both him and Lucy to attend Career Day.
Within minutes, Grey responded with a thumbs-up emoji and a short message:
"Approved. Olivia's like mine, and there's no way I'd let her miss having her dad there. Plus, it's good PR for the department. Go make her proud."
Tim smiled at the reply, turning the screen toward Lucy so she could see it.
Lucy- Looks like it's official.
Olivia practically bounced in his lap, beaming at the two of them.
Olivia- This is going to be great! Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Lucy!
Tim wrapped an arm around her securely, his voice warm.
Tim- Anything for you, Livi.
Lucy leaned back in her chair, unable to hide the grin spreading across her face.
Lucy- Alright, Liv. But you owe me one for this. You better be the loudest kid cheering when I talk.
Olivia- Deal!
Olivia settled back comfortably on her dad's lap, she stayed there a while longer, chatting animatedly about funny things that happened in school and her plans for this week. Tim listened with a small, content smile, his hand resting securely around her back. Lucy chimed in occasionally, her teasing remarks making Olivia giggle.
Eventually, Olivia hopped off her dad's lap with a bounce in her step.
Olivia- I'm gonna go hang out in your office for a bit. I've promised a few people to help them with math, so if someone hears me talking, I'm not crazy. I'm just in a call.
Tim- Alright.
After Olivia headed off to her dad's office, humming a little tune as she walked, the precinct settled into its usual buzz. Tim and Lucy returned to their tasks at the front desk.
Then Lucys phone buzzed, and as she read the incoming message, she suddenly burst out laughing. The sound was so unexpected that Tim, who had been typing away at his computer, turned to her with a curious frown.
Tim- What's so funny?
Lucy held up a finger, still chuckling as she composed herself. She turned the phone toward him, the grin on her face making Tim's curiosity grow. He squinted at the screen as she said:
Lucy- It's from Grey. You've got to see this.
The massage read:
"Chen, just a heads-up about Career Day. I'm counting on you to keep Tim in check since the two of you will be kind of representing the LAPD in a way. Don't let him scare the kids—or the parents. Let me know if he tries anything dumb. Good luck."
Tim blinked at the screen, then groaned, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh.
Tim- Keep me in check? Really? Olivia is my kid. I've been doing all kind of school events for years, and now he needs someone to keep me in check?
Lucy was laughing again, leaning against the desk for support.
Lucy- Grey knows you too well. He's just making sure you don't accidentally terrify half the parents with your "no-nonsense sergeant" routine.
Tim shook his head, crossing his arms.
Tim- I don't terrify people. I'm perfectly capable of being approachable.
Lucy- Oh, totally. "Approachable" is the first word that comes to mind when I think of you.
Tim gave her a pointed look, but his lips twitched as if fighting back a smile.
Tim- Alright, smartass. What did you reply to him?
Lucy smirked, showing him her reply:
"Don't worry, sir. I've got this. No scowling, no growling, and absolutely no dad jokes unless pre-approved. Olivia and I will keep him in line."
Tim groaned again, running a hand over his face.
Tim- Dad jokes? Growling? You're making me sound like a caveman.
Lucy- If the shoe fits...
Despite his mock irritation, Tim couldn't help but smile. He shook his head, muttering under his breath.
Tim- You're enjoying this way too much.
Lucy- Absolutely. And don't worry—I'll make sure you shine at Career Day. Olivia's counting on us to be the dream team.
Tim's expression softened at the mention of his daughter.
Tim- As long as she's happy, that's all that matters.
Lucy nodded, her teasing grin giving way to a genuine smile.
Lucy- She will be. And for the record, you're better at this "approachable" thing than you think. Especially when it comes to her.
Tim didn't reply, but the slight warmth in his eyes said enough. They returned to their work, the unspoken partnership between them feeling as natural as ever.
The rest of the afternoon unfolded in the steady rhythm of precinct life. Tim and Lucy fell into their usual routine at the front desk, finishing reports, handling phone calls, and exchanging the occasional quip to lighten the mood. Olivia occasionally popped out of her dad's office to chat with other officers or grab a snack, but mostly, she stayed busy with her math tutoring.
As the clock inched closer to the end of the shift, the precinct began to quiet down. Lucy stretched in her chair, letting out a small sigh as she finished her last report.
Lucy- Well, Bradford, looks like we survived another day.
She said, shooting him a grin.
Tim smirked, glancing at the clock.
Tim- Barely. Let's not jinx it.
Lucy chuckled, standing and gathering her things.
Lucy- Guess I'll call it here. See you tomorrow.
Tim nodded, already turning his attention back to his computer screen.
Tim- Yeah. See you tomorrow.
With a nod, Lucy gathered and started toward the women's locker room, the sound of her boots fading into the background.
After logging out of the computer, Tim stood and stretched, rolling his shoulders as he grabbed his things. Instead of heading straight to the men's locker room, he made a quick detour to his office, where Olivia was still perched in his chair, chatting animatedly on her tablet.
Tim- Hey, Livi.
Tim said, leaning against the doorframe before walking over to her.
Tim- Just letting you know I'll be ready to leave in a few minutes. Gotta change first.
Olivia looked up, pausing her conversation to nod at him.
Olivia- Okay! I'll pack up and be ready.
Tim- Good.
Tim replied, pulling her into a somewhat hug.
Tim- Don't get too comfortable in my chair.
Olivia- Too late.
Olivia teased with a grin, spinning the chair in a slow circle as Tim chuckled and walked off toward the men's locker room.
In the women's locker room, Lucy debated whether to shower here or at home but she quickly dismissed the idea of showering at the station. She changed out of her uniform quickly, her mind still replaying bits of the day. Grey's teasing text, Olivia's enthusiasm for Career Day, and even Tim's rare moments of humor lingered in her thoughts.
After zipping up her jacket and grabbing her bag, Lucy headed out of the station. The cool evening air greeted her as she made her way to her car. Sliding into the driver's seat, she started the engine, the soft hum breaking the quiet around her.
She glanced briefly at the precinct as she pulled out of the lot, a small smile tugging at her lips. It had been a pretty good day.
By the time Tim finished changing in the men's locker room, Olivia was by his office door about to get out, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
Tim- All set?
Tim asked, tossing his bag over his shoulder as they started walking toward the exit.
Olivia- Yep!
Olivia said cheerfully, falling into step beside him.
Olivia- Lucy already left, huh?
Tim nodded.
Ti- Yeah, she headed out a a few minutes before me.
Olivia hummed thoughtfully but didn't say more as they stepped outside. The parking lot was mostly empty now, the guys from the night shift arriving.
As they climbed into the car, Olivia's excitement bubbled over again.
Olivia- Dad, Career Day's going to be so awesome. Everyone's going to love you and Lucy.
Tim chuckled as he started the engine.
Tim- Well, we'll do our best. But are you sure about only Lucy being cooler than the other parents? I mean— am i that uncool?
Olivia giggled as she buckled her seatbelt, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Olivia- Oh, you're cool, Dad... for a dad. But Lucy's different. She's kinda like...
She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. Tim glanced at her in the rearview mirror, one eyebrow raised.
Tim- Like what?
Olivia shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Olivia- I don't know... she's Lucy. She's nice, funny, and she cares about me. But it's not in a fake, 'let's be nice to the kid' way, you know? She's just... real.
Tim arched an eyebrow, his hands steady on the steering wheel.
Tim- Real? What does that even mean?
Olivia leaned forward slightly, her tone serious but still warm.
Olivia- It means she doesn't treat me like I'm clueless just because I'm 11. Even when she doesn't agree with me—like when I say someone can be a little overbearing—
Tim- Overbearing?
Olivia ignored the interruption with a small grin.
Olivia- —she still listens. She doesn't just tell me what I want to hear, but she doesn't make me feel dumb for saying it, either.
Tim's lips twitched upward, but he stayed quiet, letting her keep going.
Olivia- And when we talk about stuff—like things at school, or even awkward stuff other people get weird about—she makes it feel normal. Like it's okay to talk about.
Tim's brow furrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued.
Tim- Awkward stuff?
Olivia stiffened slightly, her gaze flicking out the window as her cheeks reddened.
Olivia- You know... just stuff.
Tim pressed, his tone light but curious.
Tim- Like what?
Olivia shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable now.
Olivia- Dad, it's nothing bad, okay? Just... stuff.
Tim frowned, catching the subtle shift in her tone. He decided to back off, softening his voice.
Tim- Alright, Liv. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't push.
Olivia relaxed a little, though she still didn't look at him.
Olivia- Thanks.
The silence hung for a moment before Olivia glanced back at him with a small smirk.
Olivia- Anyway, Lucy doesn't get weird or act all awkward about it. She just talks to me like it's normal, which it is.
Tim nodded, his expression softening as he returned his focus to the road.
Tim- That's good.
Olivia smiled again, her enthusiasm returning.
Olivia- Oh, and she doesn't take crap from the moms at school, either.
Tim's head whipped around slightly, his eyebrows shooting up.
Tim- Language, Liv.
Olivia gave him a small, unapologetic shrug.
Olivia- Fine. She doesn't take their stuff, then.
Tim sighed, giving her a pointed look.
Olivia rolled her eyes but relented with a half-hearted tone.
Olivia- Sorry.
Tim chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Tim- So, let me get this straight—you like Lucy because she's honest, doesn't baby you, and doesn't back down when people give her or you trouble?
Olivia nodded enthusiastically.
Olivia- Exactly. Plus, she makes you laugh, which is, like, almost impossible.
Tim smirked, trying to ignore the faint flush creeping up his neck.
Tim- Almost impossible?
Olivia grinned mischievously.
Olivia- Well, you do it more when she's around. Just saying.
Tim shook his head, his smirk softening as he returned his attention to the road. Olivia leaned back in her seat, her legs swinging slightly as they drove in companionable silence.