## Chapter Two
Robbie flipped a pancake onto a plate, taking care not to fold the ears. "And voilà-a breakfast fit for my singing diva!" she exclaimed as she placed the plate on the small bistro table, which was all that would fit in the tiny kitchen of their apartment.
"Mouse cakes!" Kayla exclaimed as she squirted syrup over the chocolate-chip pancake. "Thanks, Mom."
Regret tugged at the smile Robbie forced. "Aunt JoJo sent me the video she took with her phone last night. I couldn't wait to watch it." While they'd been writing up the reports for the raid, she'd slipped away to the women's room to view the footage of the performance. She'd been razzed enough over almost arresting Holden Thomas; she hadn't wanted to give them another reason to tease her by tearing up because she'd missed hearing her baby sing. Kayla glanced up from her plate. "You saw it? What did you think?" "You were fabulous," Robbie praised her daughter as she settled into her chair, grasping the handle of her coffee mug. She'd nearly drained the pot trying to wake up-it had been a long night. "I would've been there if I could." She already felt guilty about not working the extra shifts everyone else at Lakewood PD worked. To beg off her regular shift would have been not just irresponsible but dangerous to her fellow officers. "I know, Mom. It's okay," Kayla assured her. "Holly's uncle was there."
Guilt caused Robbie's stomach to churn. Holly's uncle had made it and Kayla's mother, her only parent, hadn't. "That's great," she murmured through clenched teeth. "He's really nice," her daughter said, her blue eyes bright with awe.
Maybe lack of sleep had Robbie jumping to conclusions, but she detected something more than awe, as well. Wistfulness, as if her daughter wished she had an uncle. Or a father? "That's great..." Kayla had never seemed to mind that it was just the two of them. Had she actually been longing for more? A dad? Kayla gave an eager nod, tousling her unruly curls even more. "He said that I can come over to their house sometime."
"He did?" From her years on the street, as a runaway and a cop, Robbie had learned to suspect With a brief nod, she walked from the room-as if proving her claim that she had no time. Holden stared after her, wondering if maybe the problem wasn't the shelter. Maybe the problem was him.
Had she mistaken his request for a personal interest in her? He almost ran after her-to correct her misconception. He was already dating a woman who was perfect for him; he had no interest in Roberta Meyers.
Absolutely no interest at all.
## Chapter Three
"You should stop by his shelter," Joelly said, leaning against the butcher-block kitchen counter as she sipped from her mug of coffee. "You need to check it out. I think it would be good for you." She lowered her voice to a whisper and added, "I think he would be good for you."
Robbie laughed at her relentless friend. "Give it up, Jo. I'm not interested."
Joelly raised her honey-blond brows. "Really? Have you seen him?" "Seen him." She shrugged as if unimpressed, and then the devil made her add, "Felt him up, too." Joelly sputtered, choking on her coffee. After wiping her eyes and mouth, she exclaimed, "Rob!" Robbie laughed again. "I'm kidding. I just frisked him," although she had appreciated the curve of his tight butt when she'd slid her hands into his pockets. "During the raid-I told you about it." "Yes, you did. And you don't usually tell me about your busts," Joelly reminded her. "You're interested in Holden Thomas." Robbie shook her head. "No. I'm not." No matter how perfect the man seemed. She picked some used napkins off the counter, which was cluttered with ice-cream bowls and pizza plates from last night's feast, and tossed them into the trash. "I don't have the time or the energy to date." "That's a cop-out and you know it," Joelly accused her. "You're scared because of the mistake you made a long time ago. Don't you think it's time you got back on that horse?" Robbie glanced through the archway to the living room, where Kayla lay on her stomach in front of the television, watching cartoons. Giggles erupted from her and the little blond girl lying beside her on the hardwood floor.
"The things I've done that other people consider mistakes usually turn out to be the best things that have ever happened to me," she reminded her friend.
Joelly turned toward her goddaughter and then smiled at Robbie. "Exactly."
Robbie tossed one of the dirty napkins at Joelly's face. It struck her nose and then dropped into her mug. With a glare, Jo lifted out the dirty paper and tossed it into the trash.
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