Eleven

Cassandra

"Good morning, Bernie," I greet through the speak thru in the bulletproof glass.

Bernie's crow's feet expand as he smiles and gives me a faint wave. A small, light brown colored stain is visible on the collar of his white uniform top. Bernie presses the buzzer and I walk through the door.

"Good morning, sweetheart. How are you doing today? Oh, and what do we have here?" He asks, his smile widening as his eyes narrow in on the cup holder in my hand.

I giggle and hand him one of the four cups. "Iced tea, of course."

"My favorite. Thank you, Cassandra. You be safe out there, okay little lady," he remarks with a gentle smile. After I return it with one of my own, I bring my hand to my forehead and act as if I'm saluting him.

I enter the office and walk towards my desk. A quick glance over at Crayvin's desk, which sits empty but makes my stomach turn. All morning I've been stressing on whether or not he would remember our conversation from the other night. A part of me almost wanted him to remember, but then again, a bigger part of me didn't.

What if he just uses that as fuel to be an even bigger, pompous ass than he already is?

"Morning, gorgeous," a soft, familiar voice whispers into my ear.

I turn around and meet Drew's gunmetal blue eyes. He grins, leans in, and plants a quick peck on my cheek. In an attempt to cover the sudden heat that's formed from the touch of his lips, I bring my hand up to my cheek and pray he can't see the redness growing.

I turn away from the grin still on Drew's face and grab his black coffee from the holder. After turning to face him once again, I place the cup in his hand.

"Morning," I say in a voice that comes out almost bashful.

Drew takes a sip and instantly I can tell by the way he winces that the liquid is still very hot. The steam should've been evident enough as it's seeping through the small hole on the coffee lid, but based on the look in his eye, he was slightly distracted.

"Mmm. Might have burnt my tongue off, but it's still good. Thank you," he says with a sheepish grin.

I let out a small laugh, pushing a piece of hair that's fallen from my bun out of my face. "I got one for Chief Anderson too. Is he in yet?"

Drew nods, taking another small sip of his coffee as he takes a seat in his chair. While still facing me, he says, "Yeah, he's in a meeting with-"

Just before Drew could finish, Chief's door creaks open. I turn around and spot Crayvin. His eyes land on me almost immediately and instead of the usual scowl or devilish grin I normally would receive, he puts his head down and walks to his desk.

He looks like a kid that just got in trouble and the principal called his Mommy.

"Porsse." I hear a commanding voice call. I look away from Crayvin and see Miles holding his door open. "Come into my office for a moment please."

I nod and turn around to grab both his coffee and my iced coffee. Drew gives me a concerned look and my heart races as I slowly stand.

Now I'm the one in the hot seat.

Miles' summoning is intimidating, even more so since I never got called to the principal's office in school.

I totter into his office, where Miles gestures to the chair, so I take a seat. I set his coffee onto his desk and wrap both hands around mine. My nerves are getting the best of me, so I begin to pick at the lid.

The door closes and Miles takes a seat in front of me. He reaches for the coffee I had placed on his desk and raises his brow. "This for me?"

I nod and my voice comes out quiet, unsure, and timorous. "Yes, sir."

"Thank you, Cassandra." He takes a quick sip of his drink. The room falls silent as I watch him.

I feel apprehensive as all get-out, causing my tongue to tie. My heart thuds loudly, echoing it's sound through the course of my weak, slightly trembling limbs.

I clear my throat and break the silence with, "Did you need to speak with me, Chief?"

Miles sets the coffee down to the side and folds his hands together on the desk. "Yes, I've been meaning to ask you how things have been going so far. Officer Smith came to see me this morning and stated you were wanting a partner change."

I suck in a sharp breath and bite my lower lip.

Partner change? I never said - he remembers. He has to. What other reason would there be for this lie he made up?

Shaking my head, I say, "No. There's no need for that."

What am I saying? This can be my out. My way of not having to spend twelve hours with Crayvin every shift.

Before I can change my answer and elaborate, Miles exhales in relief. "That's great to hear because right now I don't even have another option for you. Is he treating you right?"

I take a sip of my iced coffee and nod. I don't need to open my mouth and fib about Crayvin.

"If there are any issues in the future though, please let me know. He's one of my best and he's being offered a promotion for this training if done successfully." He advises, a grin forming on his face. "I do have faith he will train you well."

"He did, however, learn from the best." He adds.