Lily grumbles but complies, dragging her backpack to the kitchen table. Biscuit follows, collapsing at her feet with a dramatic sigh.
Jinx crosses to me, wraps his arms around my waist from behind.
"Good day?"
"Productive." I lean back into him, let his warmth soak through me. "Jagger says the transition is going smoothly. The Singapore facility is being converted into a rehabilitation center. Christian is handling the European operations."
"And the investigations?"
"Ongoing. Song's exposé opened doors that can't be closed. Some of the old guard are facing charges. Others have... disappeared."
"Good."
I turn in his arms, face him. He looks tired, but it's a good tired.
"How's the garden?"
"Growing. The tomatoes are almost ready. Lily wants to make sauce."
"Does Lily know how to make sauce?"
"No. But she's determined to learn." He grins. "She's stubborn. Wonder where she gets that."
"Definitely from you."
"Definitely."
I kiss him. Slow and easy, with none of the desperation that used to mark our touches. We have time now. All the time in the world.
"Get a room," Lily calls from the kitchen.
"We have a room," Jinx calls back. "Several, actually."
"Then use one of them."
We break apart, laughing. Jinx presses his forehead to mine, his breath warm on my face.
"Later," he murmurs.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Marlee arrives at six, bearing wine and stories.
Dinner is chaos, as always. Lily insisting on helping cook, Biscuit underfoot, the kitchen too small for three adults and a child and a dog who doesn't understand boundaries.
"The children in Geneva are doing well," Marlee reports between bites of pasta. "Most of them have been placed with families. The ones who aren't ready yet are staying at the center, working with the therapists."
"And Marcus?" Lily asks. "The older boy?"
"He's training. Wants to be security for the center. Help protect the new kids." Marlee smiles at Lily. "He asked about you. Says he misses having someone his own age to talk to."
"Can I visit? When school's out?"
"We'll see," Jinx says. "It's a long trip."
"I can handle long trips. I flew from Singapore to Geneva and I didn't even complain."
