– An Unexpected Invitation --

| October 3, 2023 – 10:05 PM | Highway Pizza – Parking Lot

Lin stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the warmth inside. She spotted her mother still deep in conversation with Carol, clearly in no rush to leave.

She sighed, adjusting the bag of takeout in her arms—then caught movement to her right.

Eric.

Leaning against his truck, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette.

The orange glow flickered as he took a slow drag, exhaling a thin stream of smoke into the night air.

Lin raised an eyebrow. "Deputy Porter, breaking the town's wholesome image?"

Eric glanced at her, smirking. "We all have our vices."

Lin tilted her head. "Didn't peg you for a smoker."

Eric shrugged, flicking the ash off the end. "Only when I'm thinking."

Lin leaned against her truck, watching him. "Must be a lot on your mind, then."

Eric chuckled, tapping the cigarette against the side of his truck. "I've never seen you off work before."

Lin arched a brow. "You don't know what I do."

Eric exhaled another slow drag. "I know enough."

Lin smirked. "And what have you figured out, Deputy?"

Eric watched her for a moment, eyes sharp, unreadable. "You like control. You move fast but never make it look rushed. And you don't let people in easily."

Lin tapped her fingers against the truck. "And here I thought small-town cops only cared about speed limits and bar fights."

Eric grinned. "We have layers."

Lin huffed a laugh, shaking her head.

Then—casual as ever—he said, "There's a good bar two towns over. Not the tourist kind. You should check it out sometime."

Lin glanced at him. "Is that a recommendation or an invitation?"

Eric smirked, taking one last drag before flicking the cigarette away. "Whichever answer gets you there."

Lin rolled her eyes, pushing off her truck. "Smooth, Deputy."

Eric chuckled. "Think about it, Zhang."

She shook her head, but as she walked back toward her mother, she was still smirking.

He really was interesting.

| October 3, 2023 – 10:10 PM | Highway Pizza – Parking Lot

Lin had one foot in the truck when she hesitated.

Without thinking too hard about it, she reached over and scooped up the Doberman puppy from the passenger seat.

Rex, her golden retriever, gave a lazy wag of approval before settling back down.

With the small, sleek pup in her arms, she turned back toward Eric, holding her up slightly.

"What should I name her?"

Eric tilted his head, considering.

The puppy, all floppy ears and sharp little eyes, gave a small yawn, unimpressed with the world.

After a moment, Eric smirked. "Roxanne."

Lin raised an eyebrow. "Like the song?"

Eric shrugged, lighting another cigarette. "I like Sting."

Lin looked down at the puppy, testing it out. "Roxanne."

The Doberman blinked up at her, tail wagging faintly.

Lin huffed a quiet laugh. "Not bad, Deputy."

Eric smirked. "I have good taste."

Lin snorted. "Debatable."

Eric exhaled smoke, watching her. "Guess you'll have to find out."

Lin rolled her eyes, turning back to her truck. "Good night, Porter."

Eric chuckled. "Night, Zhang."

As she slid into the driver's seat, placing Roxanne beside Rex, she glanced at the pup once more.

Yeah. Roxanne worked.