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The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Mid-Wilshire parking lot, where Lucy Chen stood with Kojo by her side, her ever-loyal K9 partner wagging his tail enthusiastically. Lucy’s smile was as bright as the sky, her positive energy radiating like sunshine as she held two cups of coffee. Spotting Metro Sergeant Tim Bradford heading toward the building, she practically beamed.
“Morning, Sergeant!” Lucy chirped, waving one of the coffee cups in his direction as Kojo trotted happily beside her.
Tim glanced up from his usual pre-coffee haze, his brow furrowing slightly when he saw her. “Officer Chen,” he greeted gruffly, eyeing the cup she was extending toward him as it might bite him.
“For you!” Lucy said cheerfully, holding the coffee out with both hands as if he couldn’t possibly refuse.
Tim raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Lucy blinked, momentarily confused. “Why not? I wanted to do something nice for you,” she said with an easy smile, as though that explained everything. Her sweet vanilla scent was calming despite how weird he felt right now.
Tim stared at the cup, then at her, as if trying to gauge her angle. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he took it, his fingers brushing hers for the briefest moment. “Thanks, I guess.”
Lucy grinned even wider, practically glowing with happiness. “You’re welcome, Sergeant Bradford!” she said brightly before turning on her heel and walking away, Kojo bounding alongside her. She didn’t just walk—she practically skipped, her ponytail swaying behind her.
Tim stood there, coffee in hand, watching her go with a skeptical eye. Something about her relentless positivity made his jaw tighten, though he couldn’t quite figure out why.
“Cute, isn’t she?”
Tim turned his head to see Angela Lopez approaching, her expression thoroughly amused. She crossed her arms, leaning against the hood of a patrol car as she smirked at him.
“Cute?” Tim repeated, frowning. “I think you mean annoying.”
Angela rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. You know she likes you, right?”
Tim scoffed, shaking his head. “She doesn’t like me. She’s just like that. With everyone.”
Angela’s smirk widened. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that. It’s obvious to literally everyone but you.”
Tim took a sip of the coffee Lucy had given him, reluctantly admitting to himself that it was pretty good. Still, he wasn’t about to let Angela see him crack. “You don’t have anything better to do than play matchmaker?”
Angela shrugged, her grin unshakable. “Nope. Watching you squirm is way more entertaining.”
Tim grumbled under his breath, turning toward the building to escape her teasing. But even as he walked away, he couldn’t help glancing at Lucy and Kojo again, her laugh carrying across the lot like the sound of sunshine. If she really did like him, well... he didn’t know what to do with that.
Tim sat alone at the outdoor table, his burger halfway gone as he scrolled through his phone. It was his usual lunchtime routine—quiet, uneventful, and most importantly, uninterrupted. That is, until he heard the sound of Kojo’s paws hitting the ground and a cheerful voice greeting him.
“Hi, Sergeant!”
Tim looked up, his brow furrowing slightly as Lucy Chen sat down across from him with her ever-present sunshine smile. Kojo flopped down beside her with a dramatic huff, his large, expressive eyes watching Tim like he was judging him.
Tim blinked at her, momentarily thrown. “Chen,” he said slowly, then glanced down at his burger.
“What are you eating?” she asked, leaning forward as if genuinely interested.
Tim sighed. “Trying to eat my burger. In silence.”
Lucy nodded, completely unbothered by his gruffness. “Right, of course,” she said brightly. She reached into the bag she was carrying and pulled out a neatly wrapped veggie burger, unwrapping it with a content hum.
Tim stared for a moment before shaking his head and focusing back on his food. The silence stretched for maybe five seconds before Lucy spoke again.
“How’s your day going?” she asked, her tone light and conversational.
Tim stopped mid-bite and stared at her, his jaw tightening. She was looking at him with those big brown eyes of hers, so open and curious like she genuinely cared. It was disarming in a way he couldn’t explain. He took note of how pretty she looked with the sunlight hitting her and her bright smile.
“Fine,” he said curtly before returning to his burger, not bothering to return the question.
Lucy didn’t seem fazed. She nodded and took a bite of her veggie burger, her smile as bright as ever. The silence stretched again, this time only broken by Kojo shifting beside her.
Tim’s eyes flicked up as he noticed his Metro team approaching. He stiffened instantly, his back going straight as he braced himself for the inevitable barrage of comments they’d throw his way about Lucy sitting with him. He could already hear the teasing in his head.
Lucy, ever perceptive despite her bubbly demeanor, noticed the shift immediately. “Are you okay?” she asked, tilting her head in concern.
Tim shoved the last bite of his burger into his mouth and stood abruptly. “I have to go,” he muttered, not meeting her eyes.
Before Lucy could say anything else, he was already walking away, leaving her and Kojo behind.
As he strode past his team, their smirks and knowing glances made him grit his teeth, but he didn’t stop.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could’ve sworn Kojo was glaring at him. The thought made him shake his head as he muttered under his breath. “Great. Now even the dog’s judging me.”
Tim and Angela sat at their usual corner booth in the dimly lit bar, the noise of the crowd and faint music filling the space around them. Angela was mid-rant, gesturing with her glass as she complained about her boyfriend, Wesley.
“I mean, he’s amazing and all, but sometimes, he’s just so stubborn! He spent half the night arguing with me about the color of the backsplash for the kitchen. Like, what does he even know about interior design? He’s a lawyer, not Joanna Gaines!”
Tim rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his beer. “That’s why you don’t date lawyers.”
Angela shot him a glare, her drink halfway to her lips. “Oh, please. Like your track record with women is so stellar.”
Tim shrugged. “I’m not the one complaining about my love life right now.”
Angela leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms. “Speaking of, what’s going on with your love life? Anyone new?”
“There’s nothing to tell,” Tim said flatly, not even bothering to look up from his beer.
Angela arched a brow, her lips quirking into a sly smirk. “What about Lucy?”
Tim’s head snapped up, his brows furrowing. “There’s nothing to tell about Lucy.” His tone was defensive, a little too quick, and Angela’s smirk deepened.
“Uh-huh.” She hummed knowingly, but for once, she didn’t press further. They sat in relative silence for a while, nursing their drinks as the night went on.
It wasn’t until much later that Angela suddenly muttered, “Damn.”
Tim followed her gaze instinctively, his eyes landing on the bar’s entrance. His stomach tightened when he saw her—Lucy Chen, walking in with Aaron and Celina.
And she wasn’t in her usual uniform or casual station attire. No, tonight Lucy wore a short, tight black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, paired with heels that made her legs seem impossibly long. Her hair was styled, her makeup subtle yet striking, and her smile was radiant as she laughed at something Aaron said.
Tim blinked, his mouth suddenly dry. He swallowed hard, trying to process what he was seeing.
“Didn’t know Chen was that hot out of uniform,” Angela muttered, taking a slow sip of her drink, her eyes still fixed on Lucy.
Tim snapped out of his daze, scowling as he glanced at Angela. “You’re in a relationship.”
Angela shrugged nonchalantly, her lips quirking into a teasing grin. “Maybe Wesley wouldn’t mind a unicorn.”
Tim groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re impossible.”
But even as he tried to focus back on his beer, his eyes kept drifting back to Lucy. She was talking to Celina now, her head thrown back as she laughed, her entire demeanor exuding confidence and joy.
She really did look good. Too good. Tim took another sip of his beer, willing himself to look anywhere else.
But his traitorous gaze kept finding her anyway.
The bar had thinned out some by the time Angela left, claiming she had to head home and “deal with the lawyer who was probably organizing a mock trial over backsplash tiles.” Tim stayed behind, nursing another beer and half-watching the game recap on one of the screens above the bar. He enjoyed the relative quiet, the buzz of the bar fading to a low hum.
But then he heard it—a soft, happy voice that sent a ripple through his calm.
“Sargent Bradford.”
Tim turned his head and there she was, Lucy Chen, standing a few feet away with that bright, unshakable smile of hers. She practically glowed, her short black dress catching the dim light, accentuating how good she looked.
“Chen,” he said with a nod, keeping his expression as neutral as possible while trying not to let his gaze linger.
Lucy took a small step closer, tilting her head. “What brings you out here?”
“Angela needed to vent,” Tim replied, keeping his answer short.
Lucy nodded, glancing briefly toward the door Angela had walked out of before gesturing toward her own group. “I’m here for Celina’s birthday,” she explained, even though Tim hadn’t asked. She nodded toward where Aaron and Celina were laughing at the bar.
Tim hummed in acknowledgment, trying to keep his focus on anything but Lucy. But something in him betrayed his better judgment. “You look good.”
The words were out before he could stop them, and Lucy’s smile brightened instantly.
“Thank you,” she said, spinning a little on the spot, her dress swishing around her. “You think so?” she teased lightly, holding her arms out as if to show off.
Tim swallowed hard, unable to stop his eyes from trailing over her. She looked... stunning, and it was more than the dress or her hair or makeup. She had this energy, this undeniable light that pulled people in—pulled him in.
Realizing he was staring too long, Tim coughed, forcing himself to look away. “I hope you have a good night,” he said gruffly, trying to redirect the conversation before he lost all sense of self-control.
Lucy pouted just a little, a soft downturn of her lips as she leaned against the table beside him. “You could join us, you know,” she offered, her voice warm and inviting.
Tim hesitated, his mind warring with itself. On one hand, part of him wanted to say yes. But the smarter, more disciplined part of him—the part that kept him from crossing lines he couldn’t uncross—knew better.
“I’ll pass,” he said, keeping his tone polite but firm.
Lucy’s smile faltered just slightly, her brows knitting together in a brief frown. “Alright,” she said softly, stepping back. “Well, I hope you have a good night, too.”
Tim nodded, avoiding her eyes as he stood, leaving some cash on the table for his tab. “You too, Chen.”
As he walked out of the bar, he didn’t dare look back. He needed space, needed to put some distance between himself and the image of Lucy in that dress, smiling at him like that.
Because if he didn’t, he knew he might do something drastic—and there were lines he wasn’t ready to cross. Not yet.
Tim stood at the entrance of the precinct, holding the steaming cup of coffee Lucy had just handed him. She’d greeted him as usual, with that impossibly bright smile and cheerful energy that seemed immune to whatever grumpy aura he put out.
“Thanks, but you don’t have to keep bringing me coffee,” he said stiffly, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Lucy shrugged, her smile unwavering. “I want to,” she said simply as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Have a good day Tim.” The way she said his name was nice, he hated to admit that.
And then she was off, practically skipping away with Kojo trotting loyally at her side.
Tim sighed, cursing under his breath when his heart did that stupid, involuntary flip thing again. He didn’t know why it was so hard to shake this newfound... awareness of her. She was just being nice. It wasn’t like she was interested in him.
Before he could spiral further into self-annoyance, two familiar voices pulled him out of his thoughts.
“Well, well, Maddog,” Riggs drawled, strolling up with a lopsided grin. “Looks like our boy Timmy here has a favorite .”
“Yeah,” Maddog chimed in, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the wall. “Didn’t think I’d live to see the day the Sarge turned beet red over anyone, let alone Sunshine Chen.”
Tim shot them both a glare, though it lacked the usual bite. “You’re seeing things,” he muttered, taking a deliberate sip of his coffee to avoid their knowing looks.
Riggs snorted. “Oh, we’re seeing things alright. The way she practically glows when she talks to you? And you? Blushing like a damn rookie?”
“I don’t blush,” Tim growled, but his gruff tone only seemed to egg them on.
Maddog smirked, elbowing Riggs. “You gotta admit, they’d make a cute couple.”
Tim nearly choked on his coffee. “We’re not cute.” He said it with such conviction that it made Riggs laugh outright.
“Relax, Sarge,” Riggs teased. “No one’s proposing marriage here. Just saying, you and Sunshine have a vibe.”
“There’s no vibe,” Tim snapped, his voice sharper now. “And don’t you two have anything better to do?”
Maddog grinned, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. We’re just saying... if she’s bringing you coffee every day, maybe she’s seeing something you don’t.”
Riggs chuckled as they walked off, leaving Tim standing there, coffee in hand, feeling more unsettled than ever.
The truth was that the idea of Lucy liking someone like him was completely unfathomable. Lucy was light, he was darkness, it didn’t make sense.
Tim leaned against Angela's desk, arms crossed, as they discussed a case when he heard the familiar sound of Lucy's cheerful voice.
“Good morning, Tim! Detective Lopez!” she greeted brightly, walking up with Kojo at her side.
“Morning, Chen,” Angela replied with a smirk, sensing Lucy’s attention wasn’t entirely on her.
Tim offered a brief nod, his usual stoic acknowledgment, though his grip on his coffee cup tightened slightly when Lucy turned her gaze to him.
“So, the annual gala is coming up,” Lucy started casually, though there was a hint of nerves in her tone. “Are you going?”
Tim shrugged. “I have to. Sargeant duties.” All Sargents would be required to attend the gala in hopes of keeping up with community appearances. Tim really hated the entire thing. He was not looking forward to it at all.
Lucy’s face lit up at his answer. “Great! I’ll be there too,” she said enthusiastically. Tim hummed. He wasn’t supritsed Lucy was going, she seemed like she’d have a good time. “Maybe…” Lucy hesitated for just a second, then continued. “Maybe we could drive together?”
He shook his head, keeping his tone neutral. “I’d rather drive myself.” He didn’t add that he hated staying at events longer than necessary and preferred having an easy escape plan. Nothing personal, he’d just like to have the option of leaving early without ruining anyone else’s night.
Lucy’s smile faltered for the first time, and Tim felt a pang of guilt hit him square in the chest.
“Right,” Lucy said, recovering quickly with a small nod. “Well… maybe you could save me a dance?”
“I don’t dance,” Tim replied automatically, his voice gruffer than intended. He wasn’t trying to be dismissive, just honest—dancing wasn’t his thing. “I am sure someone else will though.”
Lucy’s smile disappeared completely this time. She nodded again, tighter, and said, “I understand. Well, have a good day, Sargent. Detective Lopez.”
Before Tim could say anything else, Lucy and Kojo turned and walked off. For the first time, there was no bounce in her step.
Angela, who had been silent during the exchange, suddenly slapped the back of Tim’s head.
“Hey!” Tim groaned, rubbing the spot. “What the hell was that for?”
Angela glared at him, crossing her arms. “She was asking you out, you idiot.”
Tim rolled his eyes. “She wasn’t asking me out.”
Angela scoffed, looking at him like he was the dumbest man alive. “Oh my God, you’re dumber than I thought. How do you even manage to put on your boots in the morning?”
“She wasn’t,” Tim insisted, though his voice lacked conviction now.
Angela shook her head and started walking away, throwing over her shoulder, “You’re hopeless.”
Tim stood there, frowning as he replayed the interaction in his head. Lucy wasn’t asking him out… was she?
But the more he thought about her nervous smile, her hopeful tone, and the way her entire demeanor shifted when he turned her down, the more doubt crept in.
Was Angela right? Had Lucy been asking him out, and he’d completely blown it?
For the first time in a long time, Tim Bradford was genuinely confused—and maybe a little rattled.
The gala was bustling, full of officers and their significant others dressed in their finest. Tim stood off to the side, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he scanned the room. He didn’t want to admit it—hell, he barely wanted to think it—but he was looking for Lucy.
The past few weeks had been quieter than usual. Lucy had stopped bringing him coffee, stopped sitting with him during lunch breaks. It annoyed him how much he noticed her absence. He told himself it was because she’d disrupted his routine, not because he actually missed her.
“You’re brooding,” Angela’s voice broke through his thoughts, accompanied by a nudge to his arm.
Tim rolled his eyes. “I’m not brooding.”
Angela smirked, clearly not buying it. “You better ask her to dance when you see her. You need some sunshine in your life”
“She doesn’t want to dance with me,” Tim muttered bitterly. “Not anymore.”
Angela sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes before grabbing Wesley’s hand. “Hopeless,” she muttered as she pulled her boyfriend onto the dance floor, leaving Tim alone with his thoughts.
He leaned back against the wall, his gaze sweeping the room again. And then he saw her.
Lucy.
It was impossible not to notice her. She looked stunning in a deep emerald dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, the color making her skin glow under the soft lighting. Her hair was swept up, leaving her neck and shoulders bare. Tim’s mouth went dry, and he had to remind himself to breathe.
His admiration quickly turned into a deep frown as he noticed a man approaching her. The guy was all easy smiles and smooth lines, leaning in too close for comfort. Tim saw Lucy take a small step back, her body language stiffening.
Without thinking, Tim moved. His steps were purposeful, his eyes locked on the scene in front of him like a predator stalking his prey.
As he approached, he caught snippets of the man’s shamelessly flirtatious remarks.
“...so, what do you say? Let me take you out sometime, sweetheart.”
Before Lucy could respond, Tim stepped into her space, his arm sliding protectively around her waist. Lucy flinched at the unexpected contact but immediately relaxed when she looked up and saw him.
“She’s not interested,” Tim said, his tone low and edged with warning as he fixed the man with a hard stare.
The man blinked, startled. “I didn’t realize she was with someone,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender.
Tim didn’t break eye contact. “She is.”
The man took one look at Tim’s imposing frame and intimidating demeanor and wisely decided to back off. “Alright, my bad,” he mumbled before walking away.
Once the man was gone, Lucy turned to Tim, her cheeks flushed. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“Of course,” Tim replied, his voice quieter now.
A brief silence settled between them, and then Tim cleared his throat. “You, uh… you look good tonight.”
Lucy’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink, and she nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks,” she said, her voice almost shy.
Tim didn’t know what to say next, so he just stood there, his arm still lingering at her waist. For the first time in weeks, she was close, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to let her go.
The music in the room slowed, soft melodies filling the air as couples swayed together on the dance floor. Tim shifted awkwardly on his feet, glancing down at Lucy, who stood in front of him looking radiant and more beautiful than he had ever allowed himself to notice before tonight.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked, his voice coming out rougher than he intended.
Lucy blinked up at him, clearly surprised. “I thought you didn’t dance.”
Tim shrugged, feeling the tips of his ears burn. “I do... for the right person.”
Her cheeks flushed, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. She nodded, taking his offered hand.
Tim led her to the dance floor, the noise and movement around them fading as he focused solely on Lucy. As they started to sway to the music, her hands found their way around his neck, and his settled gently on her waist. He could feel the warmth of her touch through the fabric of his suit and knew without a doubt that his ears were now bright red.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, breaking the silence between them.
Lucy tilted her head, her brows furrowing slightly. “For what?”
“For hurting your feelings a couple of weeks ago,” Tim said, meeting her eyes. “I never meant to.”
Lucy was quiet for a moment, her gaze dropping to his chest. “It’s okay,” she finally said.
“It’s not,” Tim insisted, his voice firm but soft. “I know I hurt your feelings, and I hate that I did.”
She hesitated, then let out a small sigh. “I thought… I thought you liked me. And I guess I made things awkward when I asked about the gala. I’m sorry.”
Tim shook his head, his heart pounding as he decided to just be honest. “You didn’t make it awkward. And I hate to admit it, but I do like you.”
Lucy’s eyes widened slightly, and then, to his surprise, she grinned. “Wow. I never imagined the tough Metro sergeant had feelings.”
Her teasing tone made Tim chuckle, and he felt his lips curl into a grin of his own. “Yeah, well, don’t spread that around,” he said, enjoying the playful sparkle in her eyes.
They continued to sway, and Tim found himself relaxing, the tension he usually carried slipping away. She was easy to be around, her warmth and lightness a stark contrast to the weight he often felt in his own life.
Finally, he gathered the courage to ask, “So… will you go on a date with me?”
Lucy’s smile grew brighter than he thought possible, her whole face lighting up as she nodded. “I’d love to.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Tim felt himself genuinely smiling. Maybe Angela was right. Maybe he did need a bit of sunshine in his life. And maybe, just maybe, that sunshine had been standing right in front of him all along.