I rolled my eyes. “I swear, you must be the only bloke in the world who’s got a thing for this uniform.”

Lee’s eyes sharpened as he continued to grin at me, and then he let my tie drop and stood. “Tell Alexis I said congrats. Oh, and I’ll see you around, Serg.”

“Not sergeant yet,” I called after him as he walked away.

He turned around long enough to reply, “You will be.”

His faith in me stirred my emotions, and I slumped back into my seat, my lungs suddenly too full of air.

The following week, I found an envelope in my cubbyhole at the station. My heart leapt when I recognised the stamp. I’d sat my exam just the other day, and already the results were in. Becoming a sergeant was something I’d wanted for years, and I was nervous to open the letter. What if I’d failed? Sure, Jennings and I weren’t mortal enemies anymore, but we weren’t bosom buddies, either. I didn’t want to have to face her smug look that was all, I told you so.

I almost gave myself a paper cut as I anxiously tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and let my eyes scan the contents. I’d passed! Without thinking, I emitted a highly unprofessional squeal of delight, fist pumping the air and grinning like a maniac. Excited, I first called Alexis, who was home from the hospital with Oliver. Next I called Reya, who insisted we meet for cocktails once my shift ended that evening.

I changed into some jeans and a silk blouse before I left the station, letting my hair out of its bun and running my fingers through the waves. Applying a small touch of makeup, I thought I looked good and headed to the bar where Reya had told me to meet her. When I arrived, I found her sitting at a table by the window, engrossed in her phone. There were two fresh margaritas in front of her, and I reached forward to take a sip just as she glanced up.

“Hey! Has anyone ever told you that you’re silent like a ninja?” she asked, grinning.

“Oh, many times.”

She rose from her seat and came around to hug me. “Well done! I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks,” I said, and she went to sit back down, glancing at her phone again as she lifted her own margarita.

“Anything interesting?” I asked, arching a brow.

She waved away my intrigue. “Oh, no, it’s just Trevor.”

“Trevor as in Cross?” I gaped at her.

“Yeah, we text every once in a while. I gave him my number when we all went out together that night after my gig.”

“Right,” I replied. “So what do you two talk about?”

“This and that. He’s got this harebrained idea to create a web series following him and a group of his friends who do parkour. You know, capturing their stunts and all that. He was originally going to ask me to be the presenter, but then he decided against it. Apparently, I have the ‘look,’ but I’m not outgoing enough,” she scoffed.

“You’re a singer, you perform on stage all the time. How is that not outgoing?”

“Yeah, but it’s the whole ‘not opening my eyes’ thing that got him thinking I was too shy, which, by the way, I am. Anyhow, it’s not like I would’ve said yes. Travelling around with a bunch of smelly boys barely out of their teens isn’t exactly my dream job.”

I glanced at her hands, noticing how she was fiddling with the cardboard coaster. It got me thinking that maybe she wasn’t being entirely truthful.

“So there’s nothing going on between you two, then?” I probed.

Reya blushed, which was a feat to achieve on her caramel complexion. “Nope, just texts. Oh, and he friended me on Facebook.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t ‘uh-huh’ me, Karla. There’s nothing going on. He told me I’m not his type, and I’d well believe it. His profile is full of pictures of him with tiny blondes, and I am neither blonde nor tiny.”

“Right, so you’ve been snooping through his profile,” I continued, goading her.

“Yes, of course I have. I’m a student. I have lots of free time and I get bored. What else is there to do?”

“Plenty.”

“Oh, shut up. You barely ever go online. You don’t understand the temptation to snoop.”

“Especially when there’s a twinkly-eyed pretty boy in the mix.”

Reya scowled. “That’s it. I’m changing the subject. When do I get to come see Lexie’s baby? I need some cuteness in my life.”

“Whenever you like. I doubt she’s gonna get the chance to leave the flat any time soon.”

Reya smiled like she couldn’t wait, and then a curious gleam lit her eyes. “So how was it with Lee? He drove Alexis to the hospital, right?”

“Who told you that?”

“Trevor,” she answered, like it was obvious.

“That boy’s got a big mouth. And it was fine, positively civilised, actually. We chatted for a bit. He told me he’s opening a restaurant, asked me to stop by.”

“I’m sure he did,” said Reya. “He’ll be all, Oh, I just spilled marinara sauce all over my muscle-T, whatever shall I do? Then he’ll whip it off, flex his abs at you, and you’ll be putty in his hands.”

“And then we’ll go at it right out in the open for all the world to see,” I deadpanned.

“So you’re saying there were no unresolved feelings, no longing glances or hot stares?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“Liar!”

“Hey, if you want to talk about Lee, then we have to talk about Trevor. How’s that sound?”

She pursed her lips, frowning. “You’re no fun.”

I shot her a pointed look. “Neither are you.”

“That’s not true. Talking about your love life is a lot more fun than talking about mine.”

“Right, so there is something going on with you and Trev.” I grinned.

“Oh, my God, shut up. Fine, let’s talk about these cocktails, then, shall we? They’re pretty amazing. I want to sample at least five different ones before the night is through.”

Smiling wide, I lifted my hand to her for a high-five. “Sounds like a plan.”

By the time I arrived home, I was more drunk than tipsy. It was barely ten o’clock, but we’d started drinking at six. When I got in, I kicked off my shoes, dropped my bag on the floor, and turned to find Alexis and Lee sitting in the living area, cups of tea placed in front of them on the coffee table. Positively cosy, my drunken brain mused.

“Looks like somebody was out celebrating,” said Alexis with a smile. “Congratulations again, by the way.”

I grinned at her in a way that revealed my drunkenness, and wobbled slightly on my feet as I went to the kitchen to find a glass of water. It was at the back of my mind to ask why Lee was there, but I thought he must have come to visit the baby and see how Alexis was doing. With my glass full, I hobbled my way over to them and plonked down on the couch next to Lee.

“Reya and I went for cocktails. I think I might have gone a little overboard,” I said, trying not to slur my words. When I looked at Lee, I found him regarding me fondly, his arm resting along the back of the couch. I scrunched up my mouth and pointed a finger into his chest, half the water in my glass sloshing out onto my lap. “Did you know about Reya and Trevor?”

He shook his head. “What about them?”

“I dunno. I think they’re having a thing.”

“Sounds serious.”

“Don’t be cheeky,” I warned, pointing at him again. A noise came from the baby monitor, and Alexis went to go check on Oliver. I might have been drunk, but I didn’t fail to see the cynical, knowing look on her face as she glanced between the two of us.

“You should get to bed, Snap. Sleep off all that booze,” Lee murmured.

“I have to drink this water first. Otherwise, I’ll be hung over in the morning.”

His laugh was soft. “I think that’s gonna happen anyway, beautiful.”

“Ugh, you’re so…so…annoying,” I said, and lifted the glass, downing the rest of its contents. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I added, “And don’t call me beautiful. You think I’ll let you in my pants because I’m drunk, wellll, no way, José.”