“Fully clothed and professional,” Winnie adds with a hushed, “-Ish.”
Thomas puffs up his chest. “You’d better believe I’ll get the truth outta you!”
Winnie and I—even Mindy—exchange a concerned glance because he’s taking this a bit too seriously.
More staff arrive—maintenance, admin, Mayor Barbie herself—all checking on storm damage and asking if we’re okay. Everyone stares at us with barely concealed curiosity as the building fills with noise and activity. Given our track record, more than likely, they’re wondering how the building is still standing and why there wasn’t a homicide. Winnie and I are repeatedly pulled in different directions, most notably apart. Every time I try to catch her eye, someone else needs her attention.
Finally, I manage to clasp the tips of her fingers as she passes. “We need to?—”
“Maverick!” Austin’s voice cuts through the chaos. “Captain wants a debrief.”
“Winnie!” Mindy calls. “Emergency meeting about storm damage!”
We look at each other. Her eyes are uncertain, questioning.
I squeeze her hand discreetly, quickly and then we’re both walking away in opposite directions.
25
PATTON
In the station,I’m running on fumes and the memory of Winnie’s lips on mine. My thoughts are clouded, my mind dazed by her—eyes, hands, soft laugh.
The crew waits in the common room, and given how suddenly the chatter goes quiet, I know I’m in for it the second I walk through the entry.
Austin leans against the counter, nodding slowly. “You and Parks & Rec Princess got snowed in together.”
I head straight for the coffee pot. “We kept the kids safe until their parents arrived.”
Reese lounges on the couch. “And?”
“And what?”
James wags his finger at me. “And you occupied a very small room … together … and survived to tell the tale.”
I take a too-hot sip of coffee so I can calculate what to say. “The generator was temperamental, but I’m pleased to report all the safety mechanisms worked as designed.”
“But you and Winnie were stranded. Did she need you to keep her warm?” Hayes asks.
I level him with a glare.
Scotty, silent as usual, raises one eyebrow at me from where he’s inspecting his Halligan bar. The man says more with facial expressions than most people do with words.
“We were fine,” I mutter, focusing very hard on my coffee. The more caffeine I can mainline, the sharper my thoughts will become, which is necessary right now because Winnie’s perfumed scent lingers on my clothes. Her touch on my skin. Lips on mine.
Austin chuckles. “You werefine. With Winnie. Alone. All night. And the building remained standing.”
“We were operating in a professional capacity.” I cough.
The guys exchange looks that say they’re not buying an ounce of what I’m selling.
I refill my coffee and head for my locker.
Austin follows. “You kissed her, didn’t you?”
I don’t answer, which is answer enough.
“About that bet—” he starts.
