He’d have to go to work.
There was an eerie sense of finality he couldn’t shake. Though he and Cypress were going to keep seeing each other, it still felt like something bad was going to happen, and he couldn’t explain it.
Maybe because there was no sign of Junior’s accomplice…
When Tom heard the door downstairs opening to signal Cypress was home, he sat up a little straighter. Cypress had to work late today, and he was determined not to let his glum thoughts ruin what remained of their evening.
However, Cypress immediately zeroed in on Tom’s mood as soon as he stepped in the door.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You’ve been home for less than two minutes, and you’re already asking me what’s wrong?” Tom teased, hoping Cypress would drop it.
“Yes.” Cypress crossed his arms. “What’s up?”
Tom sagged down into the sofa. “I don’t wanna go back to work. Hell, I don’t even wanna go home, to be honest.”
“As much as I’ve been enjoying your company, you do need to go back eventually.”
“I get it, wearing out my welcome and all that—”
“No, it’s not that.” Cypress sat beside him and reached for his hand. “You need time in your own space to reflect on everything that’s happened. Maybe help prepare yourself for what may happen next.”
“My house being broken into and Junior’s arrest isn’t enough?”
“We still don’t know who else might have been helping Junior,” Cypress pointed out. “Fox has been tight-lipped as hell, but I know you watch the news. There’s someone else out there.”
“All the more reason not to go home?” Tom suggested hopefully.
“Hiding here with me isn’t going to make your problems go away,” Cypress soothed.
“Ah, but it will hide me from potentially being murdered.”
Cypress chuckled. “Okay, fair point, but seriously. You’ve been avoiding everything all week, and when you go home, all those problems are gonna be there waiting for you.”
“I know.” Tom dropped his head.
“Which is why I want to come and stay with you for a few days.”
“Wait, what?”
“Once you start back work,” Cypress replied. “I’ll come stay with you for a little bit until you get back into the swing of things.”
“What about the flower shop?”
“My family is gonna step in to cover for me.”
Tom felt his cheeks heating up, stammering, “Did, did you tell them… I mean, what did you tell them?”
“That I needed a break,” Cypress said calmly. “I didn’t say it was to keep an eye on my criminal boyfriend who may or may not be involved in a gang…”
“I’m not involved in a gang.”
“Tangled up in a murder investigation?”
“That’s even worse.” Tom groaned.
“All they know is I wanted some time off, I swear.” Cypress laughed. “I haven’t told them about you. Not yet.”
