“Xiaolong,” Flash supplied cheerily. “It’s good. Does six-thirty work?”
“I’ll let you know when I’m wrapping up tomorrow,” Athena promised. “You’re still on shift?”
“Yeah, ‘til tomorrow morning.”
“Take care of my firefighter. Love you.” Fight or no fight, it was true.
“I love you too, baby.”
Flash’sresponse wasn’t flippant or rehearsed, but as pure as the air after a rain, filling Athena’s soul with joy.
Somehow, Athena had beaten Flash to the restaurant—Houston traffic roulette. Flash, wearing a crisp, short-sleeved, white and navy striped button-up, tails out over jean shorts, slid into the opposite seat. Reaching into her pocket, she rifled out a small box and pushed it across the table.
“Peace offering,” she said. “By the way, you look amazing.”
Of course, Athena was as stunning as ever, still in her designer power suit, her luscious legs sheathed in sheer hose. Flash’s heart raced; her palms were uncharacteristically damp. The cocky butch, rarely rattled, needed to fix things between them. Athena lifted a brow, raking Flash with a discerning look. “You’re quite hot yourself.”
Laughing anxiously, Flash declared, “Now that we’ve established we’re the most attractive power couple in Houston—and had time to think—we should finish our conversation from the other night. I know love isn’t always enough, but it’s a hell of a good start.” Her gaze flicked to the box, then back to Athena, her nerves buzzing.
No sooner had Athena picked it up, a waiter appeared. “May I take your orders?”
Flash gave Athena a questioning glance. She hadn’t looked at the menu, but usually ordered the same things here.
“The Szechuan shrimp looks good, medium spice,” Athena said, handing over her menu.
“I’ll have the sesame chicken,” Flash added. “And bring us the green onion pancakes and shrimp dumplings for starters. Athena, do you prefer white or fried rice?”
“With a flavorful entrée, white rice is fine.”
“And to drink?” the waiter asked.
“Water’s good with me,” Flash said.
“Water,thank you.”
The young man departed, and Athena opened the box. Flash soaked in every nuance of her reaction as she silently read the note, then lifted the delicate necklace,Athenaspelled in script between gold chains. Her reaction—eyes wide, smile soft, fingers quivering—told Flash everything.
“Flash, you didn’t have to get me a make-up gift,” she murmured. But, without hesitation, she fastened it around her neck, her name settling into the hollow of her throat.
“The argument was my fault and just saying ‘I’m sorry’ wasn’t enough,” Flash explained. “I’m glad you like it. I’m not good at girly stuff.”
“May I say you’re good at a host of things you don’t give yourself credit for, without you taking it the wrong way?” A smirk played on Athena’s lips, her eyes lit with affection.
Relieved, Flash smiled. “You may.”
She leaned forward, elbows on the table, hands clasped. A quiet gravity settled over her. “Look, sweetie, being the protector, the provider, the solid rock for you to lean on is hard-wired into my nature. If danger’s coming, I’ll always step in front of you. That said, I promise to work on the money thing. I don’t want you to give away your millions to stroke my ego—it’s the size of Montana already,” she added with a laugh. “Funny, then, how it was my insecurity that set me off in the first place. Forgive me?”
She slid one hand closer to Athena, who took it, eyes glistening. “Only if you forgive me. I might come across as an elitist—part of my ice bitch persona.”
“I know there’s a heart of gold under that Kevlar.”
“Well.” Athena gave a crooked smile, fondling Flash’s fingers. “I’m not so sure about gold, but I am sure of my motives for nudging you toward taking the lieutenant’s test—only when you’re ready,” she added seriously.
A weight lifted from Flash. She hadn’t even realized she carried it until that instant. The world felt right again. “We’re good?”
Athena’s smile warmed. “We areverygood.”
“It’s such a relief to hear you say it.” Flash wanted to kiss her—right then, right there. It seemed she suffered from that desire more and more often. Withdrawingher hand, she sipped her water the waiter had covertly placed there when her attention had been glued to her date.
