Page 59 of Resurgent

"This is enough for a week! Why did you bring so much?”

“Because I did my research on you too.”

I shake my head, unable to hide my smile as I reach for the gummy bears.

"See?" he says. "Already paying off."

"I picked the closest thing."

"Doesn't matter," he beams, “It’s still a win.”

For the hour, the snacks are the only thing making this uneventful surveillance mission even remotely bearable.

Matt and his partner exchange bits of information in passing—casual conversations at the bar or by the bathrooms...People come and go without having interacted with either one of them…A waitress nearly drops a tray.

Theo eventually gets so bored, he begins narrating what we say as if he’s the host of a live TV drama.

Minutes stretch by.

Rain taps softly against the roof.

The chips disappear faster than either of us expected.

Matt dances with a few girls—something that clearly annoys his partner until he pulls her out next. I can practically hear him explaining that it’s necessary so his cover isn’t blown.

And of course, one of his big grins is all it takes before she’s smiling right along with him.

I glance toward the glowing restroom sign visible just inside the bar, then back at a yawning Theo.

Show time.

"I need to use the bathroom."

He immediately lowers his binoculars.

"I can come with you if—"

"No." The answer comes a little too quickly, earning me a raised eyebrow.

"I mean..." I clear my throat. "One of us should keep eyes on Matt."

"Right. Good point." He nods, settling back into his seat as I reach for the door, eager to escape before he can ask anything else.

"Wait." His gaze drops to the tote bag slung over my shoulder. "What's with the bag?"

"It's Crime Week."

He blinks. "Crime Week?"

"You know..." I gesture vaguely. "Because it's like a crime scene in my pants..."

A beat of silence.

Then he winces. "Oh, Gods. I should've stopped you after the first two words."

Snorting, I wave him off as I shut the door behind me.

I've barely made it three steps before I hear his door swing open, followed by the splash of hurried footsteps through the puddles surrounding the car.