Finding Home in Redemption

Chapter Thirty

August

An hour into our barbecue, things were going well. We had five grills going, and there were a few tables holding chips and a few different sides that wouldn't ruin in the heat.

There were people everywhere, and we'd already sold three cars, so I took that as a good sign. I glanced toward the shop and watched the guys.

In the weeks since Brennan had been back with Cooper's, we all finally stopped calling him Aaron. We all also found out that he was an extremely hard worker. I didn't know if it was because he felt like he had to prove something or if it was because it was his nature but he caught the shop back up in no time.

The first week he was back, I didn't get a lot of alone time with him. We did, however, have a date a few days later.

I'd been sitting in my office, and he asked if he could talk to me. I was so nervous because I'd been waiting for this moment and now that it was here I didn't feel like I was ready.

"Sure," I said. Brennan walked in and sat down, wiping his palms on his jeans.

"I was wondering if I could cook you dinner tomorrow night. I've got a brand-new deck of cards, too."

Despite my apprehension, I smiled, remembering the carefree fun that seemed always to accompany us.

"What time were you thinking?" I asked.

"I figured we could head over after work. I was planning to make chili. I'm going to start it in the morning in the crockpot."

"Okay, that sounds good," I said, and he looked at me in shock. "What?"

"I just didn't expect you to say yes to my first date proposal," he said.

"How am I supposed to give us a shot if I turn you down?"

"I don't know, but I'm glad you are."

"I know I should be nervous about having our first date, but I'm kind of excited now. Are we playing for answers?"

"Definitely," he said.

The next evening, after work, we walked across the street to Brennan's apartment. The building was two stories high, but he lived on the first floor.

We walked through the front door and immediately stood in the living room. With an open floor plan, I could see the kitchen, his bedroom, and the bathroom all with a glance around. It was the perfect size for a single person, and as much as I loved having an extra room, my apartment often felt too big for me.

"You don't have much furniture," I commented before I could stop myself.

"I wasn't sure how long I'd be here," he answered.

He served the chili, and we sat at the table to eat dinner.

"So, what happened to your hair?" I finally asked.

"I have to keep it short when I'm on duty so when I went back, I had to cut it."

"What are your plans? I mean, I know you're taking time off, but how long can you take off?"

"I have quite a bit of vacation time saved up so, for right now, that's what I'm on. I have another month left, but I'm not sure what I want to do anymore."

"You don't want to be a cop?" I was shocked.

"I don't think I'll ever be anything else, to be honest. I've put ten years in and even though the last few were rough, I'll never regret it. I don't think any other career field would make me happy, to be honest. I just meant when I left I was in narcotics, but I don't know that I want to stay there. I've thought about being part time since the station I work at offers it."