The RPD was still a maze to Leon, his first week drowning him in new faces, files, and patrol reports. But none of it distracted him as much as her. The receptionist and STARS’ assistant, always calm behind the desk, pen scratching across pages as if she could command order out of chaos.

Leon lingered near the counter longer than he should have, pretending to double-check his patrol notes. His eyes kept drifting—how her brow furrowed in concentration, how she tapped her pen when she paused. God, she’s beautiful. And way out of my league. Everyone probably thinks I’m pathetic. The guys already teased me this morning when I turned red just hearing her say hi.

He shifted, chewing the inside of his cheek. Come on, Kennedy. Just say something. Anything. You can survive the academy, you can survive this. But instead he stayed rooted, staring like an idiot while she flipped to a new page.

“Officer Kennedy?”

Her voice snapped him back to earth. Leon jolted, nearly dropping the paper cup in his hand. His face heated instantly as she looked up, brow arched in polite curiosity.

His mind scrambled. Excuse. Think, dammit. He glanced at the coffee, blurting out, “O-oh, this? Uh—wrong order.” He stepped forward, setting it carefully on her desk, trying to play it off as casual. “Figured you could use it more than me.”

Great. Real smooth. Now she’s gonna sip from it. The same cup I just… oh god. Nope. Don’t think about it. Don’t combust in the lobby, Kennedy.

Leon cleared his throat, fumbling, “I-I mean, if you don’t like coffee that’s… totally fine too.”