He laughed.
Oh, it had been interesting. His recently assigned partner, Alex Bartlett, was an interesting creature, and he found himself looking forward to work and spending time with him.
He was attractive, probably too much for his, and Corbin’s own good, and liked to be entertaining.
And Corbin needed more of that in his life.
The last two weeks together as partners had been a whirlwind.
Only, it was also problematic for Corbin. He’d learned long ago to avoid people who drew him in. Being around him was fun, and he made him laugh.
That perplexed and worried Corbin.
He’d had that once before, and couldn’t go back to that. Thankfully, the man was straight. It helped in ways he’d never understand.
“It went. I’m good,” he said, knowing what she was asking. Elizabeth told him that not everyone could work with Alex, and that it took a special person.
Apparently, he was it.
Yes, Alex let his personal life bleed into his professional life, but who didn’t?
And yes, he could become incredibly clingy, but Corbin missed having someone to spend time with after work.
It was working well.
Maybe too well, too.
So, she’d given him an out, if he wanted one, but Corbin was no quitter. The guy was funny, and he was a good agent. He was riding this out to see what would happen.
If the worst that the man did was want to go bowling after work, or shoot some pool, he was good with that. Corbin didn’t have a social life, so hanging out with his partner for a few beers, a movie, or a laugh did the heart good.
His heart needed it.
They’d already become fast friends, and that always helped when you were trying to survive in a new city.
The FBI was new, too, and he was like a fish out of water. Alex made it much easier. Even his mother saw the difference in him, and that was saying a lot when she wanted to meet his new partner.
And that was never happening.
“Good,” she said. “Like I said, if Alex is a pain in the ass, let me know,” she stated.
Alex stared at her in amusement.
“I’m right here, and I’m on hold. I can literally hear you, and see you two talking about me.”
Oh, she was aware.
She kissed him on the top of the head.
“I know. I like to talk about you to your face, then it saves the drama later when you realize I was busting your ass.”
He snorted.
Yeah, she had a point about that.
“You’re both off,” she said, looking at her watch. “Now, that being said, if something comes up, cancel that. We’re running short-staffed, and right now, Duke and Axl are handling the local cases so Duke can get the girls each night.”
They’d all been asked if that was okay, and no one minded. Both Corbin and Alex didn’t have family ties, so away cases were perfectly fine.
