“It’s good to see happy couples when you’re in the middle of shit,” Lorelei said.“Even though I didn’t know who the hell everyone was, I needed to see that there was a way out of what I was dealing with.”
Adam nodded along.“I think that would have made things easier on Raina.We saw some of it, but they were all strangers we would never see again.She knew her friends had found love, though.It gave her a little hope to hold on to.”
Harmony caught the edge of Damien’s vision as she moved toward them.He smiled as she approached.She walked right into his arms, and he wrapped her close.“I thought you didn’t want everyone to know.”
“Fuck them.This is too much, and you make me feel safe,” Harmony said.“Lorelei told me she married the guy who protected her, and that Adam married the woman he was protecting.I can lean on you.”
Lorelei fought a grin and lost.Adam did the same, a snort breaking free.
“Oh my God.I was not saying we’re going to get married,” Harmony quickly backtracked, backing away as she did.“We barely know each other.I’m not going to be one of those crazy?—”
Damien cupped her jaw and brought her lips to his to silence her arguments.She sighed and leaned into him.“You can always lean on me.”
Harmony smiled and slid her hand back around his waist.He hugged her tight, hoping they did end up like his two FBI agent friends.
“Adam and Lorelei suggested we go see some friends this weekend.Are you up for visiting one of my teammates?He and his wife had a baby a few months ago.He’s not back to work yet, so I haven’t seen them much.”
Harmony grinned.“That sounds like fun.”
“Good.Is there anyone you want to see?I feel like I’ve been monopolizing you.”
“I haven’t been complaining, but no, there’s no one.I pretty much work and work and then work some more.”
Lorelei snorted.“Sounds familiar.We were the same for a long time.”
“I hate to say that makes me feel better.”
“Part of it when you’re in a job that requires a lot of you,” Lorelei said.“It’s better with balance, though.”
“So much better,” Adam agreed.
Lorelei grinned.“We need to head out.We’re going to check in with Marcus and get the whole picture.We need to know what we’re dealing with here.Stay safe, you two.”
“Thanks, guys,” Damien said, waving to the agents as they let themselves out of the lab.“How long are you staying today?”
Harmony looked around and shook her head.“I don’t know.I want to see how bad things are, but then I should go.A lot of my work is done.Mostly I was redoing old tests.But this is still my lab.I manage the grad students who work in here.It’s heartbreaking to see it all like this.”
“What can I help with?”
Harmony spent the next two hours directing Damien in cleaning up what was destroyed and recovering what was still functional.Doctor Griffiths left to teach a class, and Reed was in and out when he was available.The grad students who worked in the lab stopped by when they could, but mostly Harmony and Damien were alone for the cleanup.
There was a lot more in the destroyed pile, but by the time they finished, the lab was mostly put back together.The fact that no one was hurt was the best news of the day, but nothing about the situation was good news.
“Are you ready to go?”Damien asked Harmony when she sank to a chair and sighed.
She nodded.“Yeah.Let’s go before I try to start something.”
“Are you still up for visiting with my friends?”
“Absolutely.Unless you were just asking when Lorelei and Adam were around.”
“No.I want to make sure I’m not forcing you.I think you’ll really like them.Austin works with me, and Lacey works in a library.”
“Ooh, I like her already.”
“I had a feeling you might.”
Sixteen
