Crossing Lines (Cops and Docs #2) (18 page)

“Sooo.” Patricia drew the word out twice as long this time. “Is the red-headed complication we saw at the restaurant helping things stay that way?”

“I can’t believe you worked up the courage to finally ask.” Mary sounded amused.

“Well, Susan isn’t exactly a font of knowledge. What choice did I have?”

“You could choose not to be so nosy.”

“Well, she’s our friend. I just wanted to make sure…she’s taken care of,” Patricia said.

“Suction.”
Friend
. Hearing that word… Well, Nora never thought she would, at least not from someone else, referring to her. She’d never thought she wanted to.

“Sorry.” Patricia’s tone was contrite.

“There’s no need to apologize.”

“I wasn’t trying to overstep,” she said anyway.

“I don’t think you did.” Nora had the sudden urge to share. “Yes, she is helping, and we’re trying to…uncomplicate the situation between us.”

“Everything is a process,” Mary said, as she adjusted one of the monitors.

“Mmm, that it is.” Patricia nodded in agreement. “Are you joining us this week? Bring your redhead.”

“Kelli. Her name is Kelli, and can I let you know by tomorrow morning?”

“I suppose I can wait till then,” Patricia teased.

* * *

After making the final notation in a patient’s chart, Nora flipped it closed. Her thoughts of Kelli went from the periphery to the forefront. Her heartbeat accelerated, and the heat that Kelli infused into her was something that she’d missed. They were rebuilding the bridge between them, and Nora trusted that, in time, they would gain a new understanding of each other. By then, hopefully the space between them would be nonexistent.

At the moment, however, their reconciliation was in the initial stages. They were awkward together, which made things uncomfortable, but Nora preferred that over the famine she’d suffered through, any day. She found that she treasured those ungainly moments just as much as the ones that came before their separation. It was truly strange how quickly things changed. A couple of days ago, they had been still reluctant, hesitant, but when she made up her mind to move forward, Nora refused to look back and grant those emotions further influence over her decision-making process.

Nora’s cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She reached for it and glanced at the screen. It was Kelli. Her timing was impeccable.

“Hello?”

“Hey. You busy?” Kelli paused and made a frustrated sound. “That was a stupid question. You wouldn’t have answered otherwise, but if I’m bothering you—”

“You’re not.” Nora stopped Kelli from going further. Her greeting was a prime example of the clumsiness between them.

“Okay, good.” Kelli went quiet, but it was a charged silence. Something was going on.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s… You don’t wanna hear about it.” Kelli tried to brush her off.

Nora refused to let things go that easily. “Kelli, yes I do… Whatever you want to tell me.”

“Yeah?” Her tone was more hopeful.

“Definitely.”

Kelli sighed. “I’ve spent most of my day either making—or figuring out how to make—apologies. Remember, you’re not the only person I’ve been shitty to. Let’s just say that it hasn’t been pretty. I haven’t exactly been myself lately.”

“I’m sorry,” Nora said. They seemed like the right words in the moment.

“Don’t say that. It’s okay.”

“I’m so…” Nora stopped abruptly, realizing she was about to repeat her apology. “So how did it go?”

“What?”

“Your apolo—”

“Oh, crappy, but the foundation is laid. Can’t ask for much more right now.”

“That sounds like a step in the right direction.”

“I guess, and this is…” Then, Kelli’s voice trailed off for a few seconds. “Look, I was on my way to see Travis. Is it okay if I—”

“Yes, you don’t have to ask.”

“You sure?” Kelli asked anyway.

“Completely.”

“Good, because I’m standing outside your office. You’re way better company than your new cop buddies, Fric and Frac, but you did look busy at first, so—”

“I’m not. I have time for you, Kelli.”

“Yeah, okay.”

The line went dead.

Kelli knocked briefly on Nora’s door before walking in.

Nervousness, anticipation, and affection vied for space in Nora’s chest. Her heart fluttered in an attempt to accept the swarm of emotions. Kelli’s gaze was soft, hesitant, and it didn’t match her overall appearance at all. She stood tall in a dark pantsuit. Her emerald-green shirt complemented the look. Even though it was barely visible, Kelli’s gun was clipped to the waistband of her slacks. On the outside, she was confident, professional, and the sight of her this way caused a pleasant jolt that landed low in Nora’s stomach.

Despite her reaction, Nora noticed the tension in Kelli’s shoulders. They continued to gaze at each other quietly. The exchange was far from uneasy, but it lacked the level of smoothness that had existed between them before.

Kelli huffed and rolled her eyes. “We suck at this.”

Nora leaned back in her chair. “At what?” She knew what Kelli meant. She just thought it needed to be said.

Kelli’s shoulders relaxed. She slid into a chair and deposited two white bags on Nora’s desk.

“This.” Kelli pointed a finger in Nora’s direction before moving it back toward herself. “I learned, a long time ago, that the best way to avoid all this weirdness was to move on as soon as possible.” Her lips twitched. “But I kinda knew none of my old tricks would help me with you.”

That was…sweet in a very Kelli way. “Thanks, I think.”

Kelli smiled.

Nora suddenly became hyperfocused on other parts of Kelli’s statement. A wave of possessiveness smashed into her. “Are you saying there was no one—”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

It was a very odd way to start a conversation, but Nora just went with it. “Good.”

Kelli’s lips curved upward even more. “Good?”

“Yes. Good.” Nora was only human. It was the answer to a question she wasn’t sure she had the right to ask.

“Jealous?”

This possessive streak was an entirely new feeling, but a refreshing one. Kelli was hers. Time, and hopefully her actions, would solidify this fact. “Yes.” Nora had more to say. There was no point in holding back. “I know I haven’t exactly been the most open person and that contributed to our issues. I’m trying to rectify that, even with the little things.”

Kelli’s eyes darkened. “Oh there’s nothing tiny about this subject. Did you?”

“No.” Early on in their friendship, Nora had sought solace for her jumbled emotions, but she was no longer confused. Nora knew what she wanted.

“Very good. I would say this was a strange place to have this conversation, but considering last time we were in here it’s…fucking tame.”

Like an old friend, awareness flared between them. Nora greeted it with open arms. It had a physical presence, filling the space around them, displacing the awkwardness. This…this was familiar, the banter and feeling like she was drowning in fire.

“I remember.” Nora held Kelli’s gaze. How could she forget the kisses they’d shared? The way they touched? She enjoyed the sensation of being pulled further into Kelli as the seconds ticked by.

“Maybe we should change the subject. It’s easy as hell to forget about everything else.” Kelli’s voice was deeper, raspier than usual, but her gaze remained, intense and dark. Greedy.

“Maybe,” Nora said, reluctantly.

In spite of the seriousness of her words, Kelli was able to smile. She pointed at one of the bags, the larger one. “Travis likes his chili-cheese fries, but I stopped at that deli you like. There’s half a turkey club, and salad with dressing on the side.”

“We’ve only been there twice.” For some reason, this didn’t lessen what she was feeling. It only added a different kind of depth.

“I pay attention.”

A blush crept up Nora’s chest toward her neck.

Kelli chuckled. “There it is.”

Nora smiled.

“So, maybe we won’t suck at this as much if we spend more time together. What are you doing tonight?” Kelli asked.

“You tell me.”

“Dinner at my place?”

Nora’s smile increased. “Instead of cooking, I’ll bring Chinese?”

“Good.” Kelli grinned.

“Good.”

Kelli stood. “I’d better get these to Travis. He’ll do lukewarm, but he won’t do cold or reheated fries. He’s such a—

Nora moved suddenly. She stood and reached for Kelli’s hand as she picked up the remaining bag. The touch, though innocent, was electric. She almost pulled away on reflex. Nora held fast. She wasn’t going to hold back anymore.

Their gazes met briefly. Kelli’s eyes fell to her lips. They actually tingled as if touched. She missed that feeling. She missed Kelli’s kiss. The ones they’d shared over the past couple of days had been chaste, cautious. It was necessary, but that didn’t keep her from wanting more. Momentarily lost, the reason for her impulsive action eluded her.

“Nora?” Kelli sounded confused. She squeezed the hand pressed into hers.

It was enough to snap the doctor back to reality. “Sor—” Nora bit her lip. “Do you have plans Friday night?” She didn’t wait for a reply. Nora had to get through this. She wanted Kelli to see that she was changing, and she wanted Kelli to continue to be a part of it. “The nurses… My friends want me to join them for a drink. I’d like it if you came, and we can do dinner or whatever you like afterward.”

Kelli’s grin was slow and bright. “The same ladies you were out with last week?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve got to know the story behind all that. I’m glad somebody actually took the fucking time to look past all those stupid rumors. Hell, I’m glad you let them. I’ll be there, just tell me where and when.”

Kelli’s words of approval were worth millions. After all, she was the one who paved the way.

“Okay.” Nora looked down at their joined hands. “Would you let Mr. Travis know that I’m sorry about his fries?”

Kelli laughed.

* * *

The elevator dinged as it went up another floor. Kelli glanced at the numbers. She wished she could wave a wand and make all the hard shit go away. Of course, that wasn’t possible, but that didn’t keep her from hoping. Each time they talked, things went a little better between her and Nora. With time, patience, and a lot of faith, they would get back the easiness between them that Kelli needed. She was going to have to dig deep and find some reserves for her own sake, Antony’s, and Nora’s, because fuck she was almost tapped out.

Nora was different, that much was obvious. She was freer and more open than before, but Kelli had questions. Did Nora change because she had been forced to or because she wanted to? It shouldn’t matter, but for some reason it did. This was a discussion they needed to have sooner rather than later.

Kelli moved to the front of the elevator and stepped out when the doors opened.

Travis was sleeping when she entered. Kelli pulled a chair close to the bed and sank into it. She began to crinkle the bag.

His forehead scrunched. When his eyes fluttered, she reached inside and removed the lid to steal a fry.

“Don’t even think about it.” Even though his eyes were cloudy with sleep, Travis still glared.

Kelli chuckled and ate the fry anyway.

He snatched the bag from her hand. “Thank you…bitch.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He was quiet while he ate, but his gaze pretty much stayed on her. Kelli knew what was coming. “Talked to Sean a little while ago. I know you apologized to him. He’s more hurt right now than anything, just to let you know.”

“I figured.” Kelli peered down at her hands. She should be fucking ashamed. And she was.

“It’ll blow over. He wants you to think the best of him. He looks up to you—”

“And I made him feel useless and incompetent.”

Travis’s eyes widened. It didn’t keep him from nodding his head in agreement. “Yeah, exactly. You know, he told me this story once about when you guys were kids. You rescued him from some bully. Mark something?”

“Brunner. I beat the shit out of him. So what?”

“Apparently, it was a huge fucking thing for Sean. The thing he remembers most about growing up was you taking care of them. I think… No, I know, he thought it was his turn.”

The knowledge startled her, and Kelli realized that Sean was more like her than she’d realized. “I didn’t—”

“I know you didn’t. Just give him a couple of days. He’ll come to you when he’s ready. Don’t push him.”

“I know. I won’t.” Kelli stared at Travis. “How are you the only one not mad at me? I’m sure I probably treated you like shit too, and for all I know, I may not even be done.”

“You’d better be, and to answer your question, you know me. After dealing with my dad, shit that would send everybody else screaming the other way, I stand there waiting for it. Well…not stand, recently.” His grin was sheepish.

Kelli groaned and smirked. “That was an awful joke.”

“Hey, if I can’t laugh at myself, who can I laugh at?”

“Williams,” they said in chorus.

Kelli roared with laughter. “God, I needed that.”

“I know you did.” For a few seconds, he studied her. “You and the doc are talking, huh?”

Kelli’s mouth dropped open. “How did you…never mind.” Of course he knew. “You’re spooky as hell sometimes.”

Travis laughed. “If that’s what you want to call it. I think it’s pretty obvious.”

“Do you guys ever turn it off?” Williams asked as he walked in.

They both turned his way. Kelli was surprised. He didn’t say anything about stopping by, but then again, neither did she.

“Were your ears burning, old man?” Travis asked.

Williams’s eyes narrowed. “Aren’t they always?” His gaze zeroed in on the container of fries. “She never brings me anything.” He pulled up the other chair, close to Kelli.

Kelli rolled her eyes.

“That’s because I have a high metabolism. It just rolls off me. Yours goes straight to…” Travis pointed at Williams’s stomach. “Let’s not state the obvious.”

“Did you two want to be alone?” Kelli asked with a smirk.

Williams squeezed Kelli’s shoulder and chuckled. The coffee he brought her earlier and now a reassuring touch. By themselves, they weren’t much, but combined, the gestures meant the world. A sense of relief washed over her. They had been through other crappy times together, and it helped to know that they were going to get through this one.