“He’s fine, Rock. Really.”
“See?” Crois lifted his chin and took a step closer to her.
This time she was ready for it and put out her hand, glancing her fingertips off of his side.
She watched Crois flinch and she smiled.
Leaning in closer, she half-whispered to him. “Are you ticklish?”
“No!” His smile wobbled. He’d almost shouted the denial and the sides of his neck tightened. “I’m not ticklish.”
Halo playfully coughed into his hand. “Bullshit.”
Crois wrapped his arms around his chest, trying to shield his sides as much as he could.
Harmony found the moment and his actions utterly endearing.
Crois’ expression was sweet, to her.
He was glaring at Halo with something at almost looked like pout on his face.
She was fighting back a laugh.
Crois’ phone buzzed loudly in his pocket, and he took a step back from the group, dropping a hand to draw it out of his pocket. He looked at the screen and sighed. “I’ve got to get going.” He lifted his gaze again and looked right at her.
Harmony nodded. “Be safe today.”
He moved his hands, place one over his heart. “You do care.”
Vega shook his head, laughing. “She’s an EMT, Crois. She just doesn’t want to get called to a scene for your sorry ass.”
Halo laughed out loud. “From the comments on the internet,” he grinned, “everyone would love for him to strip out of those pants and show them his ass.”
Harmony didn’t know what to say to that.
Any of it.
“I just want you to be careful.”
Crois took a half a step closer. “You want who to be careful?”
She wanted to roll her eyes at his words, but she knew he’d have too much fun with that reaction.
Instead, she looked at him and mouthed his name. ‘Crois.’
Grinning from ear to ear he nodded. “That’s right.” He took a step away. “The invitation to dinner is still open.”
“Sorry,” she gestured at the apparatus floor, “I’m here until tomorrow morning.”
“Okay,” Crois walked backwards toward the open end of room, “breakfast then. I’ll be here when you clock out.”
What?
It took Harmony a moment to realize that she’d walked into a trap.
“Wait.”
Crois was gone.
