Chapter 8

"Well, someone's in a good mood this morning," the dispatcher greeted as Taylor entered the UCAN office.

"Stuff it, Sunshine," Taylor mock snapped as she walked over to the refrigerator. Reaching inside, she extracted an orange, a container of cream, and a piece of string cheese. She was unwrapping it when the rest of the flight crew entered the office.

"Whoa, look at Taylor! All scrubbed up and nowhere to go."

"Smartass," she retorted as she finished unwrapping the cheese. She bit into it and turned back to the coffee.

"Must have had a good 48 off."

"Had a wonderful 48 off. And no, you're not getting any details."

"So who's the dude you were with at the Navy Pier?"

Taylor froze. She didn't expect to get called out on her date with Joe. "None of your business," she said evenly.

"You two looked pretty friendly."

She sighed. "Pagano, it's none of your business. I'm allowed to have a private life."

"Yeah, you are, but we're entitled to know who you're dating."

"No you're not," she reminded as she made her way to her desk. She snatched the Tribune from the coffee table as she passed. "I'll be in my office."

Pagano watched her leave. Something was up with Taylor, and he didn't know what. Usually she was an open book about what she did on her days off. She usually volunteered at the free clinic for a few hours. She never mentioned a boyfriend in the eight years she had worked for UCAN.

Taylor sipped her coffee and read the paper. She paused every few minutes and thought of Joe. She pulled out her phone and sent him a text.

Have a good day. Be safe. Love, T.

Otis walked into the common area and took his seat at the table. He picked up the Sports page knowing it would annoy Cruz.

"Thanks, Otis," Cruz said sarcastically as he picked up the front page.

"For what?"

"For taking the sports page."

"I'll be through with it in a minute. Just wait your turn."

Cruz scanned the headlines, and opened up the front page. He closed the paper, got up from the table, and headed out to the truck bay.

"What's up, Cruz?" Severide asked.

"Otis is being a prick," Cruz said. "It's getting old."

"Want us to deal you in?" Severide asked, indicating the poker game.

"Sure. I'll play a hand or two."

He picked up his cards and looked at them. Capp eyed him. The table was silent. "What?" Cruz asked.

"So who's the fox you left Molly's with the other night?"

Cruz tossed his cards on the table. "You guys are worse than Otis." He picked up his cards and looked them over. The guys were silent. Cruz sighed. "She's my old girlfriend from high school. She's a flight nurse over at Chicago Med. We had a beer and caught up on old times."

"And spent the day playing mini golf."

Cruz sighed. Did everyone know his business?

"Hey Man, it's all good," Severide said. "We're happy for you. We just have to bust your balls a bit."

Cruz placed two cards face down on the table. "I need two."

Severide dealt him two cards. Joe looked at them and placed them next to the three cards he held.