Clutching my purse, I walked through Woodville's streets, reciting my errands in my head, all of them being entering one shop or another and coming out with a certain purchase. I'd even made a list, just to make sure I didn't forget any of the items. I was passing by a young couple, the man and woman each holding the hand of the small child between them, when I felt it.

The electric current, buzzed through the cold early March air, making me look to the sidewalk across the street in time to see the all too familiar brown coat and fedora hat in the same color.

Callum was coming out of an electronics store, a square box under his armpit and a scowl on his face. He was walking away from me with brisk, heavy steps, but I wouldn't let him get away.

Not after my conversation with Horace last Saturday - had it only been a couple of days? - and the conclusion I'd reached during it.

I crossed the street and ran after him.

"Hey!"

My greeting startled him and he almost did a double take.

"Keri?" He said almost surprised and I allowed myself to smile. No more Miss Greer from him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, the two of us standing still. He grunted and unwrapped his arm from the box, bringing the square object forward so I could see it better.

"The new toaster I bought was shit. It's only been two weeks and it already broke down on me."

"They gave you a new one?"

"Yeah, but it's the same model so I'm not getting my hopes up."

"Want to go for coffee?"

He gaped at me. I'd startled him for a second time today. Or maybe just surprised him?

"Okay," he replied and I nodded for him to follow me.

Five minutes later, we were seated at the tiny table of a small café - Callum with his boxed toaster on a chair beside him, me opposite the Detective with my purse on the chair to my left - and the waitress was jotting 'two large coffees, cream, no sugar' in her notepad.

"Did you want to talk to me about something?" Callum asked as soon as the woman went away.

"Nothing in particular," I said and almost chuckled at the confusion on his face. True that we usually only spoke about work. Except that time at the cop-frequented pub. And when he cut himself in my living room. And during dinner at Kelly's. And... Was that all of the times when we hadn't been all business?

"Why are you frowning?" My companion asked.

"I'm trying to remember a time when we've just sat down and chatted. We've known each other for a few years, but there aren't many occasions like that."

"There have been more of them recently," he said slowly. Thoughtfully.

I watched as his forehead creased, his finger drumming over the polished surface of our table until the waitress returned with two steaming mugs and placed them down with a couple of consecutive thuds.

Silently, we each reached for a coffee and took a sip before letting out a satisfied sigh. Our eyes met, similar small smiles appearing on our lips. Callum brought his mug down, but I took another mouthful from mine.

"I thought you'd take me to the Milk & Cream," the Detective commented.

"Riley isn't at work right now," I said.

Not that it would've mattered, I added in my mind. I would've found his presence both reassuring and unnerving if he saw you with me. But this place was closer; there was less time for me to get nervous and less of a chance for you to change your mind before we arrived.

"How are the wedding..."

"So what's new around the Silver Bullets..."

We both began speaking at the same time. We both stopped speaking at the same time. We both nodded at the other to go on and finish their sentence first and we both laughed at the situation.

"You first," Callum then said.

"How are the wedding preparations going?" I asked, placing my mug on the table.

He cringed.

"That bad?" I posed another question before he'd given me a verbal reply to the previous one.

"A bit of a problem with the catering, but they sorted it out."

"Then what's up?"

"My sisters and nieces are still hoping I'd bring someone with me to the wedding. Sometimes I think the bride-to-be is more interested in seeing me with a girlfriend than saying 'I do'."

I laughed again.

"I doubt that. But maybe you could bring a female friend?" I suggested, not entirely helpfully. I didn't consider myself the jealous type, but a part of me - a wicked part I did not like - was hoping he'd assure me he didn't have close female friends. Especially ones with benefits.

All he did was snort.

Good enough, I guess.

"So, what did you buy Stacey and..." I trailed off, having forgotten the name of his niece's fiancé.

"Todd," he helpfully supplied. "And that's the other problem with this wedding: I have no idea what to get them." He took a sip from his coffee before going on. "I was thinking about an envelope with some money, but it seems impersonal so I was going to do that and a gift like a toaster, but after I bought this junk..."

This time it was Callum who didn't finish his sentence; instead, he glared at the box he'd put on the empty chair beside him.

"I could help you pick something for them," I offered and Callum's eyes rounded in response.

Three times in one day; I just kept astonishing him. Maybe he'd think I'm up to something?

Maybe that I'm on something?

That I've had a couple of drinks too many before I went out today?

Perhaps I should tone it down. But I'd already wasted years. It was time to take action.

"You'd do that?"

It was my turn to be surprised. I'd been hoping he'd agree, but I'd expected him to turn me down.

"Sure." I shrugged like it was no big deal. But it was. Callum and I would be going out, not on a date, but still going out together. Feeling the urge to fidget, but not wanting to show him how nervous I was, I reached for my drink and took the longest gulp in the history of coffee drinking.

Way to act normal, Keri!

"I'd appreciate that," he said with a small nod and a slight, confused frown.

Better get used to this new Keri, Callum; you are going shopping with her.

I glanced at my purse, the list of the things I'd gone out to buy today all but forgotten until now. Those would have to wait. This was more important than running errands.

"So, what's the plan?"

"How about Wednesday this week? If you are not too busy with your community," he quickly added.

"Wednesday will work for me. Time and place?"

"Noon and... Fuck. I have no idea where to go."

I chuckled.

"You could always try the mall."

He flinched and scrunched up his nose as if smelling something vile. Really vile.

"Or not." This time I right out laughed.

"It's full of overpriced junk," he said in way of explanation.

I nodded, before asking:

"How about we just meet at the Woodville park and decide where we go from there?"

"Sounds good," he agreed.

"Wednesday, Woodville park at noon it is then."

We drank the little that was left of our coffees in companionable silence.

Keri was staring out the window as we were finishing off our beverages, but I spent the time looking at her.

What a day of surprises and they were all because of her!

First approaching me on the street, then asking me to join her for coffee, then offering to help me out with the wedding present for Stacey and Todd.

Was this how she acted around her friends?

Were we even friends?

At first, we'd been forced to work together and that had been it; lately, we'd spent time without bringing up the gruesome events of last year. Even now, the only reason they came to my mind was because I was comparing the present to the past.

So perhaps we were becoming friends. And I'd see more of her. And I'd be having conflicting feelings about it.

I enjoyed spending time with Keri, but having a crush on a woman so much younger than me, one who was destined - as her kind put it - to be with someone else was unhealthy. Not dangerous, because it was a one-sided fascination and it wouldn't go anywhere, but still unhealthy.

I should've probably said no to going shopping with her; then again, maybe spending more time with her and seeing just how hopeless my attraction towards her was would help me get her out of my system.

Either way, I'd already accepted her help.

There was no going back.

I'd be spending Wednesday afternoon with Keri Greer, the beautiful and smart Alpha of the Silver Bullets.

This was not how I originally planned to end the chapter, but let's give Keri and Callum so more time together, shall we?

Are you happy that they'd be spending the afternoon together?

Do you think it would end well or will it be a complete disaster?

Did Keri surprise you with her actions in this chapter?

Do you think Callum would be able to get her out of his system if he spent more time with her?

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please give it a VOTE if you did and have a great time wattpadding! ❤