Chapter 10

"Alex?"

She'd almost written it off as an hallucination, but he said her name again, and this time Alex couldn't deny it was real. She stopped walking. She turned around. Her heart flipped in her chest. "Bobby."

He held out his arms and the next thing she knew they were in a tight embrace. "What are you doing here?" he asked, and they separated.

"I-I-I was just looking into buying a new stove, and this place was recommended by a friend," she explained, jerking her finger at the appliance store a few doors down. "God, Bobby, you look great."

"So do you," he said with a grin.

"You-you're okay?" she asked.

He smiled and nodded. "I'm good. Actually, I'm, uh… well, look, I heard that you left the force and I—"

"It's all right, Bobby. It needed to happen."

"Well, I don't know if you, you know, if you would consider it, but… Joe Hannah, you know him?"

"Captain Hannah?"

"Yeah. He's uhm, he's taking over Major Case." Bobby smiled again and looked down at his feet again. "He's offered me a spot, if I want it."

"Yeah? Bobby, that's great!"

"Alex? I keep thinking about it, and I… I just can't seem to picture myself at Major Case… without you."

Alex grinned. "Oh, Bobby. You'll do fine. You're the best, remember?"

"Well, Alex, I… I guess I don't want to do the job there without you. Would you consider coming back? We could tell Hannah we're a package deal, you know?"

Alex licked her lips and swallowed. For eleven months, she hadn't thought about Major Case. She'd accepted a future that consisted of her and a new pet, maybe a cat…long days playing solitaire on the computer and reading books…going out once a week for a good time with family or friends. Now, suddenly, a fireburst of old dreams was exploding in her mind: days with Bobby…nights with Bobby…and not a speck of loneliness in the mix.

"Well, whattaya say? I promise," he said with his hand in the air, "to behave myself. As best as I can."

She laughed, and realized it had been a long time since she'd laughed. "Oh, Bobby, it's a lot to think about."

"Okay, okay, fair enough. Mull it over. Call me when you've made up your mind. My number's the same," he added.

She smiled at him again, and then nodded. "Okay. I'll let you know." She looked him up and down. "You look great, Bobby." Alex gave him another hug, and they went their separate ways.