Chapter 47

Nick

It's raining slightly as I pull my patrol car up to The Café. I've signaled into dispatch I'm taking a lunch break, and I let my shoulders drop. Since that night with Kels I've been tightly wound.

Not because of what we did together, but because of the way she made me feel. I've always wanted what everyone has. I just convinced myself it would never happen for me. Now? Now I'm not so sure.

Getting out, I lock my patrol car and head into what most of us around town call our home away from home. Caleb proposed to Ruby here, from what I heard Ace and Violet met here, and Ransom's family practically lives here.

I see him sitting at one of the side tables, Rambo at his feet. When he sees me, his tail wags, and I can't help but smile down at the dog. He can always bring a smile to anyone's face. Doesn't seem to matter what they're going through.

"Hey." Ransom reaches out a hand to me when I get close enough. "Good to see you."

"You too." We give each other the kind of br