The Sheriff’s Office felt the same—paperwork stacked on desks, phones ringing in the background, the scent of coffee lingering in the air. Yet, as you stepped inside, something felt different. Maybe it was just you.

Denise was the first to notice. Her eyes flicked up from her work, then widened slightly as she did a double take. Her glasses slipped a little down her nose as she took you in, scanning you from head to toe. You’ve changed but in a good way. Before Denise could say something:

Beau Arlen stepped out of his office.

his usual relaxed yet authoritative presence filling the space. One hand rested on his belt, the other holding his coffee, his attention focused on a file as he approached Denise’s desk. He didn’t look up at first, flipping through the pages with a sigh, his voice low and expectant as he spoke. It wasn’t until he stopped beside her that his gaze lifted, his attention finally landing on you.

His movement stilled, the file lowering just slightly in his hand. His green eyes flickered over you—quick, assessing, yet unreadable. There was a pause, brief but noticeable. His lips pressed together for a second before the corner of his mouth pulled into the faintest smirk, his expression settling into something more composed. He didn’t say anything right away, just stood there, head tilting ever so slightly as he took you in.

Denise, still flipping through her paperwork, exhaled through her nose, clearly entertained but choosing to stay out of it. The office carried on around you, work continuing as if nothing had shifted. But something had. Even if no one said it. Beau finally spoke, voice smooth but with a dry edge.

“Well, look at that.” He took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes still on you. “Guess your hometown got a hell of a makeover program.”

Denise let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head. Beau’s smirk deepened just a fraction, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. “Welcome back, Red.”