Blackout

4) Ataraxy

SIARA LYNN DUPONT

Bona was furious with me.

I may be exaggerating, but I ever liked seeing him angry with me. Actually, I never liked it when anyone was mad at me. It brought up bad, bad memories.

After rushing out of the station and to the library, I was back by one in the afternoon. That was an hour after he told me that he needed them. In my opinion, they weren't even that important, but as I rushed into his office, I realized that I made him late for a board meeting and he needed those papers in order for the meeting to go smoothly.

"I'm sorry," I winced, knowing that my actions made both of us seem irresponsible. I handed him the papers, which were thankfully clear of any dirt stains. Tanned fingers grabbed the papers and dark brown eyes frowned at mine. He didn't say anything to me after that. He kind of just stared at me for a moment and then rushed out of his office, presumably running towards the board meeting that started an hour ago.

Regret blossomed beneath my heart. I didn't know how to make it up to him. I knew of course that he was going to forget about it after a while, but Bona was chief of the police station, for christ's sake. This didn't look good in front of anybody. I felt my phone vibrate.

I pulled it out of my pocket and noticed that it was Jacob calling. Frowning, I accepted the call. "Jacob?"

"Lynn," He exhaled.

"Aren't you driving?" I inquired, stepping out of Bona's office. Office chatter met my ears like a gentle wind and I instinctively zoned them out.

"Not yet," he answered. "I'm at my place now, and my car just broke down. Is it alright if I take your car?"

I bit my lip. He was asking for a lot. I typically didn't use my car for much, since public transportation was much faster and far more convenient. It was also harder to find parking without having to pay twenty dollars an hour for a parking garage, and because of that I usually stuck to the train. "You said it was only for two days, right?"

"Yes," Jacob rushed out. "I'll buy you dinner to make up for it."

"Hm," I hummed. "I don't think that's enough."

"I'll take you to a bar after dinner," he bargained. "Oh, and free liquor."

"Well," I sighed, opening the door to my office. "when you put it like that, who can say no?"

"You're the best, Lynn," There was some shuffling. "Can we meet at your place in twenty, so I can get your keys?"

"Yeah, yeah," I told him, shutting the door. "I'll see you there." I hung up and grabbed my coat. I felt guilty for leaving after letting Bona down, but I'm sure that by the time I came back from giving Jacob my car keys, the meeting would be over and he wouldn't notice a thing. I shrugged it on and left my office, heading straight for the exit.

"Leaving so soon?" Aubrey's high pitched voice halted my stride. I turned to face her, half-smiling.

"Duty calls," I gestured towards the exit. "Jacob needs my car. His broke down." Aubrey Blythe was a fifty-five-year-old woman that worked here at the station as a receptionist for more than twenty years. Everyone knew her, and everyone loved her. She was so patient, so beautiful, and so genuine.

"I'll cover for you," She winked at me before the phone rang. She nodded in farewell and picked up the phone while I grinned at her and left; only, the moment I stepped out, I ran into someone.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized, before biting my lip harshly as I realized who it was. Lux. Shit.

"Lynn," He breathed out. The way he pronounced my name was so exotic and thick with his British accent. "What a coincidence that I ran into you again." My heart pounded as I stared into his dark eyes that widened once they set on mine. He began to toy with a black strand of his hair, fidgeting slightly. He was nervous. Oh, and he just blushed.