“No, I don’t.” She turned and looked out the windshield.
Sylvie pulled the car back onto the road. She hated what she’d just done, shut Carla down, but it was for her own good. She knew her partner would dig until she got herself into trouble. And Sylvie loved her too much to let her do that.
“What are we gonna do about Frank and Tom?” Carla asked.
“You’re gonna let me handle it.”
“What’d they tell you yesterday?”
“I got a sincere apology.”
Carla’s head whipped around so fast Sylvie practically felt a gust of wind. “And so you’re just gonna let it go?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“I don’t care how close you and Frank are.”
“It was Tom. Frank’s already talked to him.”
“What? No shit?”
“Won’t happen again.”
“And you believe that?” Carla turned forward. “Tom’s still a grade-A dick, He’ll do it again, mark my word, Cookie.” She rolled up her window, which she liked to keep cracked no matter the weather. “So, did Frank just talk to him or is he going to actuallydosomething about it and make a report?”
“I can’t say, Carla. I’m sorry.”
Carla actually growled.
“I need to stay quiet about it. Hey, I don’t make the rules.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“I trust you with my life. Everything we’ve been through, everything you’ve done for me. I do.”
Carla looked away. “Fine, Cookie. I’ll stop.”
Sylvie hated Carla’s defeated tone. This whole damn situation couldn’t be over fast enough. She only hoped that Tom would actually set up that meeting with their handler. Despite what she told Frank, she wanted in. This riding the fence was too hard.
* * *
Their Saturday shift passed.A couple calls for drunk and disorderly conduct, some pickpocketing, the usual calls this time of year complaining of gunshots that were only firecrackers. Sylvie couldn’t get back to Alex’s house fast enough after their shift was over. He’d texted her, saying that instead of going to the festival like they’d planned, he’d bought a couple of steaks and potatoes and wanted to make her dinner.
The manipulative bastard included a knotted-rope emoji. Sylvie couldn’t help but grin and lick her lips.
When she got there, he swept her up immediately into a kiss.
“I’m beginning to think you’re a bit of a homebody,” she teased. “Are we ever going to make it to the festival?”
He pretended to think hard about it. “Maybe.” He kissed her again, then took her hand and led her to the back porch where he had dinner waiting, candlelight and all. The cozy sight of the place settings, the candles, the dogs lying under the table hoping for scraps, made her heart clench. This could all be hers. Would all be hers. “But I have everything I want right here, so that’s a big maybe.”
“Well, tomorrow night’s our last chance since I’m working tomorrow. Oh! I have good news for once,” she told him as he pulled out her chair. “The realtor emailed me photos of my townhouse and they look great. She’s already made a listing and uploaded them, with a banner saying interior shots to come, and people are already showing interest even without them.”
“That’s great.” Alex sat across from her. His intense stare fluttered her heart. “You…still want to live here?”
“I told you I do, and that hasn’t changed. Itwon’tchange.” She reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “It just might take a little while.” She hoped what she had to say wouldn’t be taken wrong. “Can we still keep this—us—under the radar? Just until everything blows over?”
“Only, and I meanonly, because you’re asking me to stay quiet. I want to show you off.” He grinned. “Despite my being a homebody.”
