Page 29 of Shadow Justice

Blue finished his meal and watched them eat theirs. “He’s also rude,” she said. Talking about Blue was safer territory.

“Watchful,” Reid countered. “Not begging, just alert for crumbs hitting the floor.”

True.

Reid helped her clean up, washing their plates and glasses.

Blue watched. He also watched Reid unfold the quilt over the couch when the kitchen was done.

Then Blue sank his teeth into the edge of his dog bed and dragged it three feet across the floor.

Holly stared at him. “What are you doing?”

Blue dragged the bed again, repositioning it halfway between the couch and the hallway to Holly’s bedroom. He circled twice, flopped down, and rested his chin on his paws where he could see both spaces.

Reid chuckled. “He’s decided to keep an eye on us both.”

Blue thumped his tail once, as if in agreement.

Holly checked the camera feed on her phone, confirmed the alarm was set, and made sure Blue’s water bowl was full. Reid set his phone on the coffee table and glanced toward the front door as if marking the distance in his head.

“I’m going to shower and go to bed,” she said. “I’ll leave fresh towels out for you.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be here.”

Holly nodded because she didn’t trust herself to answer. The words were ordinary. They shouldn’t have touched the old bruise. She retreated down the short hallway, closed the bathroom door, and took longer than necessary under the shower, letting the hot water beat against the back of her neck until the day loosened by fractions.

When she came out in pajamas and an old cardigan, the living room lamp was still on. Reid had changed into a soft gray shirt and dark lounge pants, and he was sitting on the edge of the couch, checking something on his phone.

Blue hadn’t moved from his chosen command post.

Reid glanced up. His gaze didn’t sweep over her, didn’t linger where it shouldn’t.

“If Blue snores, nudge him. He’ll pretend to be offended, but he’ll stop for maybe three minutes.”

“Got it.”

That should have been the end of it. She should have gone into her bedroom, closed the door, and let the day end. Instead, she stood in the hallway, one hand on the frame, looking at the man on her couch and the dog between them.

“Reid.”

He looked her way. “Yes?”

She had no idea what she’d intended to say. Thank you felt too small and too intimate at once. Don’t leave was absolutely not coming out of her mouth. I’m still angry with you belonged to another conversation. She settled for the one truth she could manage. “This is weird.”

His mouth softened. “Very.”

The tightness in her chest eased. “Okay.”

“Good night, Holly.”

“Good night.”

She went into her bedroom and left the door mostly open because Blue would scratch at it otherwise. The dog needed to see her. Apparently, tonight, he needed to see Reid, too.

Holly lay in bed and listened to the unfamiliar sounds of someone else settling in her space. The bathroom door closing, the sound of water running. The quiet creak of the couch minutes later with the faint rustle of the quilt. Blue’s nails clicked once as he adjusted his position.

Her apartment still felt like hers, but it also felt changed.