Play The Part (Player Next Door Book 3)

44 | He's Our Savior

A beautiful poster from @daddormz, because this story would not exist without a raccoon and, sometimes, I need that reminder.  

Chapter 44: He's Our Savior

You know those dogs that are trained to sniff out truffles deep in the forest from miles away?

Replace truffles with coffee and that's a sniffing job I'd sign up for.

Probably get rejected though. I've been rejected from The Coffee Bean as a barista, so it's a low chance I'd get the high-tech job of a human-coffee-sniffer. 

My nose can pick up the scent of a chestnut roast or a fall vanilla bean blend.

But this, this was a Robusta. Intense, smoky, almost woody edge, that packs a robust punch. No doubt about it. Officer Patel was holding a fresh roasted cup. 

"Hey Officer Patel," Luke said, "we're here to see your son."

"We are?" I asked, staring at my boyfriend who looked oh so confident.

"You don't know why you're here?" Officer Patel inquired, the cop side of him really shining through.

"Do any of us really?" I philosophized.

Officer Patel shook his head, "I didn't think you all were friends with my son. Mainly you, Luke."

He looked directly at Luke, who had never exhibited any interest in Rahul before.

I guess this is what good parenting looks like.

Suspicious, cautious, protective.

I love it.

"It's a new friendship," Luke replied.

Officer Patel looked from him to me with deep suspicion.

I felt guilty and blurted out a confession, "I'm sorry I called your home a trap house."

"You did what?" Officer Patel asked, shocked.

Well that just brought the temperature back up again.

"It's really lovel-"

Luke's hand softly covered my lips. He kissed me on the top of my head to show what a loving boyfriend he was.

The little fake.

"She's low on coffee," he explained.

"You can help yourself to a cup inside the house, but then again, I don't want to fuel a caffeine addiction," Officer Patel said, waving around his seductive flask like it was just any cup of joe, "You two are good kids, but to be honest, trouble always finds you. I don't want my son getting involved in any of it."

What a good, good parent.

"He won't be in any harm, we're just stopping by to say hi," Luke assured him.

Officer Rahul nodded, accepting Luke's words like everyone else seems to. "I'm going to leave this all in good faith. Partly because I'm running late for work, and partly because my son can use some more real-world interactions."

"Dinner's still on next week?" I perked up.

"Of course, Millie. But heads up, I am taking the kids early on vacation this year, so it'll be the last one for a while."

"No problem!" I grinned, "Another family dinner."

Officer Patel chuckled and left the door unlocked for us, "You two have fun and remember to call me if anything suspicious pops up with that blackmailer of yours, ok?"