“Oh,” I muse. “So it’s Emmie who should be worried,” I tease, mostly. Leave it to Camila to mix up facts in an effort to rile me up.
Plot twist!Truffle pipes up from her spot near Ella’s toy pile.
I nod because it’s a plot twist I definitely approve of.
“And you know what?” I beam at him, putting down my container. “I think I actually like you a little better now.”
“You thought I was recycling romantic gestures?” he asks with a grimace. “I feel like I should apologize for something I didn’t do. Sorry about that.”
We share a little laugh.
“Well, when your ex-girlfriend starts sharing intimate details about your supposed Sunday morning habits...”
“What other intimate details did she share?” His voice drops to a dangerous level that makes my pulse quicken.
“Oh, you know, the usual. Your secret podcast addiction, your mirror poses, and your propensity to spill all of your secrets in your sleep.”
“My what now?”
“Oh, I’ve never told you?” I say with a laugh, and he gives my ribs a quick tickle.
“Please tell me it’s not true.”
“Oh, it’s true, Detective Wilder. I can get more intel out of you in a single night than you can from an entire roster of suspects in a solid month.”
“That bad, huh?” He winces.
“Worse,” I tease. “But on the bright side, I now know where you hide your emergency chocolate stash and your backup handcuffs.”
“Very funny,” he says, landing another far steamier kiss on my lips.
“Careful,” I murmur against his mouth when we finally come up for air. “This is how we got that little cutie.”
I nod toward Ella, who’s clapping and laughing at Sherlock, who somehow managed to get a baby doll positioned on his head.
“Aww,” I coo. “Look at our new hat rack.”
I’m not a hat rack,Sherlock protests, but he’s clearly enjoying the attention.I’m a highly trained security professional who happens to be excellent at balancing things.
You’re also a premium snack detector,Fish points out with a meow.You can locate a dropped Cheerio from three rooms away.
Truffle yips and runs in a circle.That’s an admirable quality in ANY canine, and OH MY GOSH, is that a Cheerio? I LOVE Cheerios; they’re like tiny little donuts but crunchier, and this one smells like it’s been here for a while, but that’s okay because aged snacks have CHARACTER, and also I found it all by myself, which makes me an excellent detective just like you, Bizzy!Truffle yips excitedly as she pounces on the Cheerio.
Ella lands a stuffed bear on Fish’s head before clapping and laughing at her handiwork.
“She’s worth every sleepless night,” Jasper says, his voice low and gravelly in that way that makes my pulse skip.
“Even the nights when she decides three A.M. is the perfect time for a dance party?”
“Especially those nights. It means she’s healthy and happy and ours.”
My heart melts a little more. “And you’re mine. How did I get so lucky?”
“I ask myself the same question every day,” he murmurs, trailing kisses along my jawline. “Especially when you’re solving murders faster than I can file the paperwork.”
“Speaking of which,” I say, though my voice is getting breathier by the second, “think you’ll be able to catch this killer before they strike again?”
“Not if I’m busy being distracted by my incredibly attractive wife.” He grins against my neck. “Fair warning though—if you solve this case before I do, I’m demanding a rematch.”
