like an intense selection process.”
Shocked that she seemed interested at all, he continued. “That’s not the half of it. I still had to go through a psych evaluation, a drug test and a complete physical before I could go to the Michigan State Police Recruit School.”
“Was it all worth it?”
He smiled in the darkness before he answered her. “Oh, yeah. I get up every day, looking forward to going to work. I love all of it, patrolling the highway, working with the other troopers, even seeing so many sides of people. You just become so engrossed in it. It defines who you are.”
“It sounds like the job suits you.”
“It does.”
Brett’s chest loosened as he pulled to a stop across the street from her house. Maybe she would relax, too, and give him a chance. At least he hadn’t been stupid and talked about putting his life in his fellow troopers’ hands and holding theirs in his. Not everyone could handle that reality, and Tricia probably was one of those.
“I had a nice time tonight,” Tricia started.
Brett heard the “but” before she had a chance to say it. “Wait, Tricia.” Suddenly he needed to prove himself to her in the same way he’d being trying to show his family he could make more of a difference in police work than he ever could with the Lancaster money.
“You know, we’re only going out as friends. It’s not as if either of us has anything long-term in mind, right?” He saw that she was about to interrupt, so he pressed on. “And we have fun together. You said that yourself. Why don’t we just play it by ear? You know, casual. I don’t know about you, but I really needed a night out.”
Tricia tilted her head, as if she was considering his offer. He hated that it mattered so much that she say yes.
Finally, she shook her head. “It wouldn’t be a very good idea.”
“Come on, Tricia. You know you want to. And I like you. I think you like me, too.”
But she only shook her head again.
His chest felt heavy as a disappointment too intense for a simple rejection following just one date festered inside him. “Then tell me why.”
She expelled what sounded like a long-held breath. “Going out with you would be a constant reminder of all I’ve lost.”
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