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“I’m not seeing anyone right now, or looking to see anyone.” Lucy nervously plays with her hands as he drives the shop.
“Me either.” He wastes no time giving her the answer she was hoping to hear.
“Okay. But you know, boundaries.”
“Yeah, super important.”
“Yeah, agreed. Cause you know, I still haven’t totally forgiven you.”
“I know,” he glances over at her giving a sympathetic smile.
“But when I do, maybe you can come help me study.”
“Looking forward to it,” he has his eyes on the road ahead but can’t hide his hopeful smile.
Lucy can see the difference in Tim. She can see that he’s putting in the work. He seems emotionally available and that is definitely not the same Tim Bradford she dated.
The rest of the drive back to the station is silent, but neither mind. For the first time in months they feel comfortable in each other’s space again and can’t wait for what the coming days and weeks are going to hold.
“You did good today, Chen.” Tim says seriously as they’re pulling back in.
“You really think I’ll be a good Sergeant?” She’s playing with him, and he knows it.
“Eh, maybe one of the top five.” He jokes, thinking back to the first time he said it to her.
“I cracked the top five, huh?” She echoes.
They both laugh as they get out of the shop and head to the back to get their gear out.
“I’m serious though, you’re going to be great. And I’m always here if you need anything.”
He winks as he picks up his bag and walks into the station leaving her standing there. She shakes her head, shuts the trunk and heads in herself.
By the time she turns her gear in, Tim has already disappeared into the locker room. Knowing what she wants to do, she quickly changes out and rushes to her car.
She knows what she said about boundaries but she has also spent so long without him, she hates the thought of having to spend anymore time away from him. Even if that just means sharing a meal between two people who happen to be in this weird place and their dog they share together.
She could almost guarantee he hadn’t eaten dinner yet. She stopped by their favorite burger place, placing an order before she left the station so it would be ready for her.
Sure enough, she pulled up to his house and could see a light on in the living room. He likely just got in from letting Kojo out and playing with him for a bit. She knows his whole routine like the back of her hand.
Walking up to his door, she can’t help but smile. This feels different, in the best way.
Knocking, she immediately hears Kojo bark. The door swings open a few seconds later. She can immediately see the confusion on Tim’s eyes but it’s also met with a smile. The smile that was only reserved for her. The smile that she missed so much.
“Hey. I wanted to come see Kojo so I figured I’d get us some dinner.” She steps into the house, walking past him with a smirk.
“Here, take the food. Come here Kojo!” She hands him the bag before getting down on the ground to give Kojo the butt scratches he’s been waiting for all day.
Tim moves into the dining room placing their food on the table. He places hers in the spot she’d always sit in right across from him.
Done loving up Kojo, she walks over to the table where he had now gone into the kitchen to get them both a glass of water.
She can’t help but freeze once she gets to the table. Suddenly she’s flooded with so many memories of all the meals they have shared at this table. All the date nights at home that he insisted on cooking for her before taking her to bed.
“Everything okay?” He asks sitting down.
“Ye-Yeah,” she shakes it off before pulling out her chair and sitting down.
“You sure?” He asks with a concerned look. She knows there’s no point in lying to him.
“Just reminiscing,” she gives him a faint smile.
Knowing to not push, he quickly changes the subject.
“Not that I’m complaining and thank you for dinner, but what brought you over here?”
“I already told you, I wanted to see Kojo,” a smug smile plastered on her face.
“You sure that’s the only reason?” He raises an eyebrow with a playful smirk.
“Eat your food.” She rolls her eyes before taking a bite of her burger.
After they eat, Tim insists on cleaning up while telling Lucy to go get comfortable and cuddle up with Kojo.
“You want a beer?” He yells from the kitchen to her.
“No, I’m okay. Thank you though.”
Kojo has his head in her lap and she’s rubbing his ears which meant he was surely going to fall asleep right there on her, but she wasn’t going to complain one bit.
Walking back to join her, he sits on the other end of the couch.
“You didn’t get a beer for yourself?”
“No, I’ve been trying to cut back. My therapist said it would help with anxiety. At first I thought she was crazy but I think she’s right.”
“I didn’t know you had anxiety.” She meets his eyes and he just gives her a nod.
“Yeah, I always wanted to act like it wasn’t there but I don’t want to feel that way anymore.”
“I completely understand. Hopefully you’re taking something to help?”
“I am, and it is. For the first time in as long as I can remember I feel lighter. I feel like I can live my life without feeling like the weight of the world is constantly on my shoulders.”
“I’m proud of you, Tim. I really am. I know how hard it is for you to admit you need help.”
“It’s gotten easier,” he admits letting out a breath.
She carefully lifts Kojo’s head off of her legs and stands up. At first it confuses Tim but then she moves closer and sits right next to him and grabs his hand.
“Good. I hope you know I’ll always be here when things get heavy again.”
“I do know that, Luce. I do.”
He pulls her into him and she easily falls into his arms. He holds her like she’s the most precious thing in the world. Because to him, she is. And he’s never letting her go again.