Meeting Amaro IV

By the time you left the precinct the sky had covered the street in a heavy blanket of pure, white snow. It was making the drive longer. All you wanted to do was retreat to the sanctity of your bed.

“Take the next right. My building is on the left.” Nick followed your instructions, pulled up to the curb, and cut the engine. "Thanks for all your help today.”

“No problem. I live just a few blocks North.” You opened the door. “No, wait.” Nick jumped out and went to your side of the car. “Let make sure you get inside okay.”

“Nick that’s not-”

“It is necessary.” He walked you to the front door. “Here’s my card.” He scribbled on the back. “My desk number is on the front. Cell on the back. Call if you need anything. Okay?”

Taking the card, you tucked it in your purse. “Okay. Thanks again, Nick.” Nick watched as you went into your apartment and you waved.

Presley greeted you at the door all wiggly and happy. “Hey boy. Your the only man in my life I can depend on.” You scratched behind his ears before slipping his collar over his head and attaching the leach. “Better make it a quick one.”

After Presley’s quick walk, you filled the tub with hot water and bubbles. “Mmmm…” you sunk slowly into the steamy water feeling your muscles relax. Finally, you let go of the tears you had been holding back. Crying was cathartic.

The rest of the day was spent on the couch on your pajamas and robe watching the snow fall. At some point you fell asleep, waking to your phone ringing and someone banging on your door. Sam calling and knocking.

“Y/N? Lemme in. I know you’re in there.” Sam’s speech was slurred. His fists landed on the door harder.

“Go away, Sam. I have a restraining order.” Presley was barking and growling at the door. You shushed him. “I’m calling the cops if you don’t go away.”

There was silence for a few moments when you heard keys jingling. Shit. You forgot about Sam having a key. The chain was secured. You grabbed your phone and dialed 9-1-1. “I’m calling the cops right now, Sam.”

“Listen. I jus’ wanna ‘pologize.” Sam said through the partially opened door. “Stop bein’ a bitch.”

“Fuck off Sam.” You pushed your body weight into the door getting it closed and relocked, crushing his foot. He pulled his foot back wailing and cursing. “The cops will be here soon.”

“You fuckin’ bitch. I’ll kill you-”

Sam’s rant was cut off. “Ma’am? NYPD.” Another man was cuffing Sam and reading him his rights when you opened the door. “Ma’am. I understand you have a restraining order. Want to press charges?”

‘What good will it do? He already got out and I just pressed charges for assault and he blew through the restraining order.” Crossing your arms over your chest you looked up at the cop. “I’m sorry officer. It’s been a long day.”

“No need to apologize. I’m sure it is very frustrating.” He gave you a knowing look. “We’re gonna take him back downtown and book him again. Shouldn’t bother you anymore until he is arraigned.”

“Thanks, officer.” Sam gave you an evil look as the other officer lead him out of the building.

“I just need to get a quick statement.” He pulled out a pen and paper and started writing.

After the cops left with Sam you texted your boss asking for a couple days off due to an accident, which she approved. Your stomach rumbled. It had been since breakfast since you ate last and that didn’t stay down. Deciding on pizza, you ordered from your favorite place.

‘just wanted to make sure you’re ok’ It was from a number you didn’t recognize. ‘this is Nick Amaro by the way’

Grinning you tapped a message out on the screen. ‘I’m doing well. so nice of you to check in. just waiting on my pizza’ Why were you feeling giddy over a man you barely knew.

Nick smiled when you responded. He shouldn’t be texting you, not really. But he wasn’t involved in the case, so he wasn’t doing anything wrong. Plus, he wanted, no needed to be sure you were okay. ‘well, I hope you have a good night. remember you need anything, call me.’

‘I will. oh, I owe you a coffee. lol’

He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face.

Meeting Amaro

’What the hell is taking so long?’ You read the text and cursed. Shit. He was mad. Again. ’Just waiting for the coffees. It’s really busy.’ Your anxiety grew by the second, just like Sam’s anger probably was.

“Caramel macchiato and Double-shot Americano for Y/N. Have a good one.”

Finally. You smiled and grabbed the coffees. “You too”, you said looking back over your shoulder. The next thing you knew, you slammed into a someone. Hot coffee went all over your front and the chest of the stranger. “Oh my God! I am so sorry! I- I..here let me help you.”

He was swiping coffee from his chest, mumbling in Spanish. His brow was furrowed as you used napkins to help clean the coffee. He shed the leather jacket, that’s when you noticed the badge and gun.

“Oh shit. You’re a cop…Detective…” You stumbled over your words. His polo shirt was tight, face scruffy, his curly, dark, overly long hair was, well sexy.. ‘Jesus get a grip, Y/N.’

“I’ll survive. Are you okay?” His eyes looked you over for injuries. A smile crossed his face.

Wow. He had the most beautiful brown eyes you had ever seen. “No, I’m, uh, I’m fine. Looks like you got the worst of it.” He looked vaguely familiar, but you didn’t know from where.

“Nah. Really it’s fine. I have about a hundred more of these shirts at home.” he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You look so familiar.”

“I was thinking the same about you,” you responded back. “I’m Y/F/N. Y/F/N Y/L/N. Maybe we know one another from Bellvue. I’m a PA there in the ER.”

He thought about it, “That’s it! You took care of my mom when she slipped on the ice and broke your ankle last month.”

Thinking back you did remember his mom. “Oh, she is the sweetest. Cesaria, right? How is she?” You touched his arm in a comforting manner.

"She’s great. Getting the cast of soon. I’ll tell you asked after her.” He smiled and you thought you’d melt right there. “I’m Nick by the way. Nick Amaro.” He offered his hand to shake and you accepted. His hand was warm and soft.

“Well, I better go. Sorry again about the shirt, and scalding coffee. I owe you one.” You slipped him a business card with your info on it. You were backing away from Nick, unable to stop smiling.

“This doesn’t look like waiting for coffee to me,” Sam’s voice made you stop dead in your tracks. ‘Oh shit.,’ you thought to yourself.

You plastered a smile on your face, then pressed up to kiss his cheek. “Uh, I uh ran into him, literally. I wasn’t paying attention and smacked right into his chest. We took care of his mom last month. This is NIck.”

He took in your appearance, then looked at Nick. “Sam, I’m the boyfriend. Hey sorry, man. She can be a little clumsy.” Sam replaced his cold stare with his fake, polite, I’m a doctor face. He put a possessive arm around your waist. HIs fingers dug into your waist causing you to wince.

Nick’s brown eyes stay trained on you for a beat too long before he turned his gaze to Sam. “No problem. Really.” His jaw clenched when he saw the pained expression on your face. He seemed to not miss a thing.

“We need to get going, sweetie,” Sam said. He grabbed your hand in his and squeezed, hard. “Nice to meet you Nile.” He lowered his gaze to you. “Guess I’ll have to do without coffee this morning.” The smile on his face sent chills down your spine.

Nick watched as the two of you left the coffee shop. He knew deep down that something was not right. He had seen his Dad treat his Mom the same way. ‘Just stay out of it Amaro. Maybe it’s not what you think,.’ he said to himself. But he knew he was right. He could feel it in his bones. No way he was going to ignore his instincts.