Chapter 4

The next morning, Erin sat across from her father at their usual breakfast spot, a cozy diner tucked away in the corner of the city. Hank's presence was as steady as ever, his easy smile and steady gaze making Erin feel grounded. As they caught up over eggs and coffee, Erin couldn't help but feel the lingering warmth from the previous night's dinner with Jay. It had been unexpected, yet she couldn't deny that something had shifted in her.

"So, this new novel you're working on… any ideas yet?" Hank asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

Erin shrugged, stirring her own cup absently. "Yeah, it's coming around,but it's harder than I thought to get back into that creative headspace."

Hank nodded knowingly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "You'll figure it out. You always do."

"I hope so." Erin's voice trailed off as her mind wandered. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she focus? She caught herself and quickly added, "Did you hear from Justin? I heard from him a few days ago—he said they're giving him some free days. And he's trying to get closer to Chicago?"

Hank's eyes softened at the mention of Justin. "Yeah, he's coming home soon and trying to shift to a nearer base than DC," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "He's earned a break, but I think he's still struggling with the adjustment. It's not easy, you know, being away for so long and trying to reconnect with everything here."

"Yeah, I bet Olive and Danny will be on cloud nine." Erin smiled, thinking about how much Justin's wife and son missed him. Olive and Erin had grown close while Justin was deployed, and little Danny loved Sundays spent playing around with Auntie Erin.

Hank looked over at her, his expression softening further. "Yeah, I think we should spend some time together when he's back. I think it would do him good. Maybe a big lunch, Voight style."

"You mean with the barbecue?"

"Of course, kid."

Erin smiled, though the thought of spending time with Justin brought up a few mixed feelings. Things between them hadn't always been easy, but now they were getting along great, even though Justin's distance during his deployment had been hard on both of them.

The conversation shifted as Hank asked her about her latest project, but Erin found herself distracted by the remnants of last night's dinner, the unexpected conversation with Jay, and the strange feeling that seemed to linger in her chest. The warmth from the evening kept pulsing in her mind, making it hard to focus on anything else.

What was it about last night?

As Hank went on, Erin tried to pull herself together, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Jay. His smile. The way he had laughed with her, so easy and unforced. The way he'd looked at her before asking for her number. Friends, he had said. But the word didn't sit right.

After breakfast, Erin headed straight to work. Her mind, however, kept wandering back to Jay. She shook the thought off as she settled into her office, beginning to review some notes for the new novel she was working on. But it was a struggle to focus, and she found herself staring at the screen, searching for inspiration.

A knock at the door broke her thoughts, and in walked Trudy, her editor, alongside the CEO of her publishing house. They were all smiles, ready to dive into the next steps of the book, but Erin could tell they were eager to keep the momentum going—something she wasn't sure she was ready for.

The meeting was productive but quick, with discussions about timelines and ideas. Erin nodded along, trying her best to appear engaged, but her thoughts were still elsewhere. The pressure mounted, and she felt herself growing more and more frustrated. She needed to find that spark again.

Lunchtime rolled around, and Erin was more than ready for a break. She met Kim at their usual spot, a quiet café down the street from the office. Kim had already ordered them both a coffee when Erin sat down, looking a little more distracted than usual.

Kim raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

Erin hesitated before answering, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "I went to dinner with Jay last night."

Kim's eyes widened slightly, her smile playful. "Jay Halstead? NFL star, Jay Halstead? Jay from the charity gala?"

Erin sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Yeah, that one. It was… unexpected."

Kim smirked, clearly interested. "What happened? How was it?"

"I don't even know," Erin said, her fingers tapping nervously on her cup. "It was good, I think. We talked about a lot of random stuff, and then he asked for my number… to be friends. Like, clearly, 'let's be friends and nothing more.'"

Kim raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to suppress a laugh. "That's… interesting. What do you think about that?"

Erin shrugged, feeling a little conflicted. "I don't know. It was a nice dinner. He was nice. But… there was something about it, Kim. It felt like it was more, but he called it 'friends.' Why would he do that? Was he trying to backpedal, or was I just reading too much into it?"

Kim leaned in, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like you're not sure. And maybe you're right to feel that way. He's probably trying to keep things casual. But if it felt like more to you, maybe there's more there. Just don't ignore how you feel."

Erin looked down at her coffee, her mind racing. Should I reach out first? What if I'm just imagining things?

Kim's voice broke through her thoughts. "Just… be careful, Erin. It's easy to get caught up in something unexpected, but you're not someone who does things without thinking."

Erin nodded, a sigh escaping her lips. "Yeah, I know.."

Kim gave her a knowing look, then reached over, squeezing her hand. "You'll figure it out. Just don't let fear stop you from seeing what could be right in front of you."

Erin looked up, meeting Kim's gaze. She smiled faintly, though her mind was still a whirl of questions. What was Jay really thinking?

The morning after the dinner with Erin, Jay was up earlier than usual, pacing around his sleek, modern penthouse, the events of the previous night replaying in his mind. It had been a quiet dinner, unexpected in so many ways, and now, as the sunlight filtered through the massive windows of his downtown apartment, Jay found himself lost in the confusion of his own thoughts. He couldn't help but think about how things had ended with Erin—so casual, so friendly, yet something more had lingered beneath the surface.

Shaking his head, Jay snapped out of his thoughts. He needed to focus. Today, he was meeting Adam to give him the signed book for Wendy—a small gesture, but one that had taken him more effort than he wanted to admit. Adam had asked him to get the book signed at the gala, and Jay had made sure to do just that.

His penthouse was a reflection of his success: vast and stylish, perched high in a towering building with views of the city that stretched on for miles.

The large, open living area had high ceilings and minimalist décor, with an emphasis on sleek lines, neutral colors, and a few personal touches—like the framed family photos and the signed footballs on display. The kitchen was a glossy, stainless-steel dream, and a massive sectional couch sat in the middle of the room, facing a wall-mounted TV.

Jay placed the book on the counter, glancing at the clock. It was getting close to the time Adam had said he'd swing by. He wasn't sure why he was suddenly feeling the weight of everything—the book, the dinner, his mixed feelings about Erin—but there was a gnawing feeling in his chest. He didn't like it.

There was a knock at the door, pulling Jay out of his thoughts. He moved quickly, grabbing the book from the counter before heading to the door. Adam was standing there, a smile already stretching across his face as he glanced past Jay and into the apartment.

"Hey, man," Adam greeted, walking in without hesitation. "Got the book?"

"Yeah," Jay said, handing it over. Adam grabbed it eagerly, running his fingers over the signed cover.

"Wendy's gonna lose her mind," Adam said, looking up with a grin. "She's been talking about this nonstop."

Jay couldn't help but smirk. "I'm sure she has."

Adam stepped inside more fully, glancing around the spacious living area. "Man, this place still blows me away. "

"Like yours is that different from mine."

"Mine definitely doesn't have this view."

Jay chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "True. It's hard to beat this view."

Adam grinned, glancing out the windows toward the sprawling city below. "Yeah, man, I can't even imagine living up here."

Jay nodded,sipping his coffee,but there was something in his mind that he couldn't quite place. He did good by telling her they could become friends,right?

But then she said she would text.I mean, Erin said it in a way that that…felt almost…disappointed…?

Adam, noticing Jay's distracted expression, raised an eyebrow. "You okay, man?"

Jay blinked, then cleared his throat, shaking his head as if to shake off the thoughts. "Yeah, just… thinking."

"About what?" Adam pressed, crossing his arms with a smirk.

Jay hesitated, glancing briefly toward the windows before meeting Adam's gaze. "I had dinner last night. With Erin."

Adam's eyes widened. "Erin Lindsay—best-selling writer Erin Lindsay? Wendy's oracle?"

"Yup. Exactly."

Adam's grin grew wider, clearly intrigued. "Man, that's a plot twist I wasn't expecting. So, how'd it go? You guys hit it off?"

Jay ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly uncomfortable. "It was… unexpected. We talked. Laughed a lot. But then when I took her to her car, I kinda panicked. It was strange. I asked for her number… to keep in touch as… friends."

Adam smirked. "You panicked? Jay Halstead,quarterback and captain, panicked?"

Jay grimaced. "It's just… I don't do the 'long-lasting' stuff and I feel like she is a really nice girl,she is the type of girl that wants the opposite of what I usually do.Relationships for me usually last about as long as the season, you know?"

Adam nodded,"And you know how I was the same,then Wendy happened."

Jay looked at him curiously, "Man" He continued,"you've been engaged two times..and you and Wendy..how long have you actually been together?"

"The one before doesn't count,I was 19!" He said sheepishly, "And yeah me and Wendy..i mean,our first anniversary it's tomorrow.But she's cool,she understands what I do and how I do it,I guess."

Jay nodded,quietly when his phone buzzed up with a text,his heart casually beating a bit faster at the thought it could be Erin.

Instead,his brother's name lighted up the phone.

Adam tossed the book into his bag, looking back out at the view. "All right, I'll let you get back to whatever else you're doing up here. I'm outta here before you try to psychoanalyze me, too."

Jay gave him a mock glare, but his mind was already shifting gears, the conversation with Adam a little more grounding than he had expected. "Yeah, yeah. Get out of here,a nice lunch at my dad's house awaits me and Will."

"Damn,good luck bro.I'll see you when I come back in a few days from this trip,okay?"

"Sure thing,and behave for that poor fiancée of yours."

As Adam left, Jay found himself standing by the window, looking out at the city stretching beneath him. The morning had slipped by quicker than he had anticipated, but Erin was still on his mind. What was it about her that made him second-guess everything he usually knew about relationships?

His phone buzzed again, a second message from Will appearing.

Don't be late for Dad's lunch.

I've talked to him this morning,he is already in a mood.

Jay rolled his eyes, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he leaned against the counter. His relationship with their father had always been… complicated, to say the least. Their dad wasn't exactly the nurturing type, and Jay's career choices—and his refusal to bend to expectations of another Halstead Doctor in the house—hadn't exactly endeared him to the old man.

Strange.I'll try to keep my personality to a minimum.

A reply came almost instantly.

Don't push it, Jay.

Will was always the on trying to fix the heavy mood that came across every single conversation Jay had with Patrick Halstead.Still to this day, Jay couldn't understand why his dad didn't approve of his life choices. He was a NFL player, had money and a good life.

Why he couldn't let go of the fact that he didn't follow the path he would've wanted? That for two years he wanted to serve his country?

I'm just saying, if he's already in a mood, it's not because of me. I'll be there.

Jay tossed his phone onto the counter, rubbing the back of his neck. Will was always the peacemaker, the one who tried to smooth things over when the inevitable tension flared up between Jay and their dad. Jay had long since stopped trying to play nice, though. It never seemed to make a difference, and he wasn't the type to fake it for anyone—not even his family.Most cause he didnt feel like that man was his family anymore, not since his mother died.

A few minutes later, another buzz.

Just… don't bring up football or the army.Let him ask you things.You know how he gets.

Jay snorted softly, shaking his head.

Sure,we'll have a quiet and peaceful conversation about the weather or whatever bullshit you want.

Jay hoped that his sarcastic tone hit Will,whenever he actually was.

I mean it, Jay. Just… try not to start anything, okay? It's only lunch.Please,I am bringing Natalie too.

Jay sighed, leaning against the counter,that was the motive of so much worry.His girlfriend,soon to be wife, was gonna be there. It wasn't that Jay didn't like Natalie, he did. He just didn't like the fact he wa sgonna see the two of them with his dad company worsening his lunch.

Fine. But if he starts something, don't expect me to just sit there and take it.

Will's reply arrived in mere seconds.

I wouldn't expect anything else.

Jay smirked at the response. At least Will knew him well enough to not ask for miracles. The dynamic between the three of them had always been a balancing act, with Will trying to keep the peace and Jay doing his best not to snap every time their dad said something to set him off.

Jay glanced at the clock and grabbed his keys. If he had to endure a meal with his dad, he might as well be on time. Besides, at least Will would be there to run interference.

Jay pulled up to the curb outside the familiar two-story house, its white paint starting to peel near the edges of the windows. The small lawn was neatly trimmed, the porch swing creaked slightly in the wind, and the American flag his dad insisted on hanging year-round fluttered lazily.

He sat in his Rolls for a minute, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. The house looked the same as it always did—a little worn but stubbornly standing.

Kind of like the man inside.

Taking a deep breath, Jay grabbed the bottle of bourbon he'd picked up on the way over. His dad didn't drink much anymore, but it felt wrong to show up empty-handed. He shoved the car door open, his boots crunching on the gravel driveway.

The second he stepped onto the porch, the door opened. His dad stood there, arms crossed, wearing his usual plaid shirt and jeans. "You just gonna stand out there, or you coming in?"

Jay forced a smile. "Good to see you too, Dad."

His dad grunted, stepping aside to let him in. The house smelled like roast beef and potatoes, and for a moment, Jay was hit with a wave of nostalgia—dinners when his mom was still alive, the clatter of dishes, her soft laugh breaking the tension between him and his dad. But that was a long time ago.

"I wasn't sure you'd actually show," his dad said, leading him into the kitchen. "Figured you'd be busy with… whatever it is you do."

Jay set the bourbon on the counter. "You mean professionally playing football?"

His dad gave a noncommittal shrug. "Yeah, that."

Jay bit back a retort and pulled out a chair at the small dining table. "Where's Will?"

"Running late, as usual," his dad replied, setting plates on the table. "Probably off saving lives or whatever important thing he's doing today."

Jay clenched his jaw. It wasn't subtle, but it was classic his dad—a backhanded dig wrapped in a compliment.

"He is a doctor for a football team,not in an emergency hospital."

"At least he's getting married soon.You're almost 30 and-"

"I brought bourbon!" Jay quickly said, changing the subject.That might be the only thing his dad liked.

His dad glanced at the bottle and nodded. "Guess that's something."

The tension thickened as they sat in silence, waiting for Will. Jay's eyes wandered to the framed photos on the wall—mostly old ones of him and Will as kids. His mom's smile beamed down at him from one picture, and he felt a pang in his chest.

"You still seeing that reporter?" his dad asked suddenly.

Jay frowned. "What reporter?"

"Some blonde I saw on TV a while back. They said you two were together."

Jay's stomach tightened,that was one fling that he didn't like to remember.Well,it ended with the girl throwing a drink at him for dancing with another chick. "That ended a long time ago."

His dad nodded, like he was mentally checking off a box. "Figured. You never stick with 'em long, anyway."

Jay opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the front door opened, and Will's voice echoed through the house,Natalie just behind him. "Hey! Sorry we're late."

Will walked in, his usual easygoing smile in place, and immediately diffused the tension in the room. He gave Jay a quick hug and clapped him on the shoulder, as Natalie greeted their father and then Jay. "How's it going, little brother?"

"Better now," Jay muttered, shooting him a look for being late.

Their dad, oblivious or just unwilling to address the awkwardness, motioned to the table. "Let's eat before the food gets cold."

The lunch wasn't bad, considering that the only thing Jay said was a thanks to Natalie because she passed him the bread. Natalie was describing the location they chose for the wedding, and despite everything, Jay was thankful he didn't have to talk to his old man.

The TV was on in the background, the familiar hum of the interview setting in. Jay wasn't really paying attention to it, until a familiar voice cut through the noise of the room.

He glanced up, still chewing, and immediately choked on his water.

"Are you okay?" Will asked, looking at him with concern.

Jay coughed, trying to clear his throat, but his eyes were glued to the TV.

There, in full view, was Erin. On-screen, dressed casually, yet somehow still managing to look effortlessly stunning, she was sitting across from an interviewer. Her smile was bright, but there was a softness in her expression that made Jay's stomach tighten.

His dad, noticing his distraction, gave a half-hearted glance toward the TV. "Who's the cute chick?"

Natalie looked at the screen and smiled,"Oh,she's Erin Lindsay! I read two of her latest books,she's really good.Will,can you turn on the volume?"

Jay's gaze stayed fixed on the screen, his throat still tight from his coughing fit. Erin was talking about her latest book, her words smooth, like she'd done this a thousand times before.She probably did.

Jay swallowed hard, hoping the feeling in his chest would ease. She wasn't just some author. She was more than that. And damn it, the more he saw, the more he realized just how much that unsettled him.

Will chuckled, nudging him. "You sure you're okay, man? Look like you saw a ghost."

Jay wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I'm fine," he muttered, his voice rougher than usual.

But his mind was far from fine. It was focused entirely on Erin—the way her words seemed to carry weight, the way her smile lit up the room even through the TV screen.

"Never took you for a fan of TV interviews," Will said, clearly teasing him.

Jay glanced at him quickly, his eyes narrowing. "Not a fan," he replied, trying to brush it off, but his voice was quieter than he intended.

Erin's interview continued, and though Jay tried to turn his attention back to the table, it was impossible. The way she spoke, the calm confidence in her, it was like she was drawing him in even from this distance.

And he hated that he couldn't look away.

It was mid-afternoon when Jay got back to his apartment after spending the day at the park with Will, Natalie, and little Owen. He'd gotten the usual fix of family time—Will and Natalie joking around, Owen chasing after the ball in the grass. It was nice, but by the time they all said their goodbyes, Jay was more than ready to head home and kick back.

The quiet of his apartment greeted him as soon as he stepped inside. He threw his keys on the counter, grabbed a cold beer from the fridge, and plopped down on the couch, letting out a long, relieved sigh.

For a while, he just sat there in the silence, drinking his beer and scrolling through his phone. And then, the thoughts of Erin crept in.

Her interview. The way she spoke, how natural she looked on screen. He couldn't stop thinking about it. The way she handled herself, the way she made talking about her book seem so easy. Hell, even her smile—it was impossible not to notice.

Without even realizing it, he found himself pulling up her Instagram. He stared at her latest post, a selfie from behind the scenes of the interview. She looked so damn good. And the caption? Classic Erin. Short, sweet, and to the point.

But that wasn't what had him staring. It was the thought that kept running through his mind: Should I text her?

Jay ran a hand through his hair, leaning back on the couch. He knew it was a simple thing. A message. Just saying he saw her interview. Nothing too much. Nothing too crazy.

But what if it's weird? he thought, chewing his bottom lip. What if she thinks I'm just trying to be nice?

He glanced at the screen again. She'd been great. No, she'd been amazing. He'd never admit it out loud, but watching her was… captivating.

He set his phone down for a moment, trying to distract himself. Just relax. It's not that big of a deal.

But the nagging feeling was still there. Was he overthinking this? Should he really be texting her out of the blue?

The internal debate raged for a few minutes. He grabbed his phone again, staring at the screen like it might bite him. I could just say something simple. Like, 'Hey, I saw your interview. You were great.'

But would that sound too forced? Or worse, would it sound like he was trying too hard?

Jay groaned in frustration, throwing himself back against the couch. What is wrong with me? He picked up his phone again and started typing out a message, his thumb hesitating over the keys.

Hello Erin, I happend to see your interview earlier. You were really great.

He stared at the message. It sounded fine, right? But did it sound too formal? Too distant? He could just tell her she was awesome. He could tell her he thought she looked good.So damn good. Hell, it was true. But would that be too forward?

He deleted the message, then started over.

Hey,I saw your interview earlier. You were awesome.

That sounded better. More natural. More like him. But then again, would that come off as weird?

Jay threw his head back, groaning. Why was this so complicated? It was just a text. It was Erin. They'd been in the same room before. She'd been cool, funny, and easy to talk to.

Taking a deep breath, he hit send.

Send.

And immediately, Jay regretted it.

He stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity, his heart racing. He couldn't even bring himself to get up and do something else. All he could do was watch those little dots appear and disappear as Erin probably read the message and decided how to respond.

He was overthinking this again.

The seconds ticked by.

Finally, his phone buzzed, and he glanced down. The message was from Erin.

Thanks for the message. Really glad you liked it.

Jay felt a rush of relief, but just as quickly, another text came in.

Hey, you free sometime soon for a coffee?I know a place this time. ;)

Jay's heart skipped a beat, and his stomach flipped. His finger hovered over the screen, staring at the second message. He had a sudden rush of nerves—she wanted to meet up. And he answered,telling her to let him know when she was free so they could schedule.

Jay set his phone down slowly, feeling the weight of her invitation. This wasn't just a casual "thanks" message.

And for the first time in longer then he could remember, he smiled without even thinking about it.