Nick raised an eyebrow. He bounced lightly on the heels of a pair of dress shoes. He’d ditched his usual dark jeans and Henley for a pair of steel-gray slacks and a button-down shirt. “You up for a little field trip?”
“Is that a euphemism?”
“Only if you want it to be.”
I rolled my eyes at him over my coffee and gestured for him to come in. He followed me into the kitchen.
“Good morning, Detective,” Vero said over her reading glasses and her textbook. “Help yourself to some coffee. Mugs are above the pot.” She checked him out under her long lashes and mouthed “so hot” to me while his back was turned.
“Where are we going?” I asked, feeling a little crotchety. I didn’t care how good Nick looked. Every time he showed up on my doorstep, I was just grateful he wasn’t holding a pair of handcuffs and a warrant.
Nick pulled a mug from the cabinet. “Got any milk?”
“In the fridge,” Vero said, running a highlighter over her textbook page without looking up.
“I’ll get it—” I held my breath as he beat me to the fridge, pausing in front of the open door.
“I got a call from a tech at the lab,” he said, plucking the carton of milk from the shelf. I offered up a silent prayer of thanks that there hadn’t been a bag of cash wedged under it as he splashed some in his mug. “I’m heading over this morning to pick up his report. I thought you might want to come along.”
Vero glanced up at the mention of the lab. “You go ahead,” she said. “I’ll stay with the kids.”
“But you’ve got your exams to study for.”
“Steven’s picking them up soon. The house will be quiet.”
“But—”
“You really shouldn’t pass up a visit to the lab,” she said firmly. “You might learn something interesting. You know, for yourbook.” She placed a particular emphasis on this last bit.
“Okay,” I conceded, infusing each word with the same added weight. “I’m sure you’ll be fine here, since Nick hasOfficer Roddydoing surveillance just outside.”
Vero’s mouth formed a softoh. “That’s so thoughtful of him.” She glanced sideways out the window, lifting a little in her seat to see Roddy’s car. “Why don’t you go get ready? I’ll keep Detective Anthony company.” She shooed me upstairs, ignoring my protests.“So tell me about this Officer Roddy. Is he single?” I heard her ask as I shut myself in my room.
Great. This was just great. Knowing Nick, he probably had an officer stationed outside Theresa’s house, too. But Vero was right. I’d learn more about the status of the investigation sitting in his car than I would watching it play out from my window.
I hopped in a fast shower, towel-dried my hair, swiped on some mascara and gloss, and stood in my towel in front of the closet. My wardrobe consisted mostly of sweatpants and T-shirts, so I was surprised to find my only pair of black slacks, cleaned and pressed, hanging beside a crisp white button-down shirt that Vero must have washed and ironed for me. I dragged them on, nearly tripping myself as I rushed to sling on a pair of low heels. If we were going to a forensics lab, I should at least look like I’d arrived in the front of a police cruiser, rather than the back of one.
I descended the stairs, fishing around for the holes in my ears with the posts of the diamond studs Steven had bought for me on our first anniversary. I hadn’t worn them since the divorce, and I was surprised to find the holes in my lobes hadn’t closed completely.
Nick and Vero glanced up as my heels clicked into the kitchen. Vero looked confused. “I’m sorry. Do I know you? Because I thought I worked for a vampire in yoga pants.”
Ignoring her, I turned to Nick. “Ready to go?”
He wore a crooked smile as he rose from his chair, his gaze falling into the deep V in my blouse. “Is that a euphemism?”
Heat bloomed over my chest and I turned sharply for the door.
Vero snickered into her textbook. “Have her home before dark, Detective. Finlay has a book to work on.”
“We’ll be back in a few hours,” I called over my shoulder.
The children’s duffels were already packed and waiting in the foyer. The sight of them left me feeling a little untethered. I was pretty sure I’d never get used to this. Nick waited as I pasted on a convincing smile and gave them each a kiss good-bye. Delia’s peach-fuzzy hair was soft against my chin. Zach’s pudgy cheeks smelled like Cheerios and warm milk and I breathed them in. “Be good for your daddy, and I’ll see you on Monday morning, okay?”
I swiped my eyes. When I threw open the door, Steven was standing in front of me, his hand poised to knock. I darted a panicked glance into the windshield of his truck, thankful Theresa and Aimee weren’t in it.
Steven’s jaw tensed as he looked over my shoulder at Nick. Nick came around me and extended a hand. Steven took it reluctantly.
“Who’s this?” he asked me.
