Page 61 of Tango

“I’ll let Shelly know.” I was so excited I decided to risk one more comment. “Ty, I really like them. I’d do anything to have family like yours. They’re so desperate to spend time with you.”

He never made another comment, just continued to rub something off his already gleaming weapon. I gave a little sigh and decided to leave it alone. I had accomplished what I wanted to do. As I walked past Mark, I glared at him, and he gave me a sheepish grin as he hustled the guys back inside.

That night, I wore a plum sweater dress that Savi loaned me. She called it her lucky dress. I didn’t allow my brain to focus too much on just how she got lucky, but I needed all the luck I could get tonight. I’d paired it with tall boots, and a pea jacket that just hit my knees. When Ty appeared, he was dressed in jeans, a tailored wool coat, and a ball hat. It was cold as he took my arm once we got outside, but thankfully the Shadows trucks had the best of the best when it came to heaters, and it warmed up fast. Ty didn’t talk much on the way there, but he kept a hand on my thigh. As usual, he watched the mirrors like clockwork.

Zack’s parking lot was busy, but I knew he’d saved us the best table in the back, thanks to Savannah, who’d called ahead to make the dinner reservation for us.

“Hey,” I turned to him by the side of the truck, “thanks for letting me in a little more.” He leaned down and kissed me hard. He swiped his tongue against mine.

“Damn, Rowe, look who we have here,” someone shouted at us. I turned to see two Redstone police officers coming toward us.

“And they gave you badges?” Ty laughed as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

“Who might this pretty lady be?” one of them asked.

“This is Dr. Ivy Knight.” Ty looked down at me. “Ivy, this is Rowe and Beam. We go way back.”

“That we do.” Rowe leaned forward and shook my hand. “Lovely to meet you, ma’am.”

“You as well.” I smiled at the two of them. It was always nice to meet any friends of Ty’s.

“Congrats on the job, guys.” Ty pointed to their uniforms.

“Nice to be here and not over there.” He glanced at Ty, and they both made a face of understanding.

“Where’s Jay?”

“He got in, too. He’s just gone to visit family. His mama is real sick. He’ll be back, though.”

“Send him my regards.” Ty urged me forward. “See you around.”

“You too, Beckett.”

“They seem nice.” I tried to keep Ty’s thoughts level as we approached the restaurant.

“They’re good guys,” was all he gave me.

We were met with a burst of warm air and a delicious aroma. I glanced at the “deal of the day” and hoped what I smelled was the smoky sausage and mushroom pasta it promised. My mouth watered at the thought.

I spotted Ty’s mother, Connie, across the restaurant. She nearly leapt out of her chair, but thankfully Shelly put a hand on her arm to stop her. Shelly whispered to her, and she seemed to rein herself in.

“You look good, Ty,” Connie said as he leaned in for a hug and her eyes closed as she drank in the moment. My heart hurt for her, but I knew it would take baby steps. It was why we were here. Careful baby steps.

“Thanks, Mom,” Ty murmured.

“Ivy, you look lovely.”

“Thanks, Connie. I’m glad we could meet up.”

“Me too.”

We said our hellos to his sister and father.

Ty took my coat and hung it under his on the coatrack then pulled out my chair and waited for me to get settled. I noticed his father watched with pride that his son was so well mannered.

“Is this new?” Ty eyed my dress.

“Borrowed from Savi.”

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