Page 47 of Tickled Pink

“Sorry,” I say as he pulls his headphone off. “Did I spook you?”

“Not really. Just…” He motions at his screen. “Focused, that’s all.”

“I can see that.” I bite my lip as I give his stiff shoulders a soft rub. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he says. “Just finishing up some work.”

“With headphones,” I note. “We didn’t disturb you, did we?”

Max chuckles. “No. I mean, I heard you, yes. You sounded… really good.”

“You didn’t want to join us?” I ask.

“Oh, I did.” He smiles. “I did. Trust me on that. But this is…”

“Important.”

“Yeah.”

I nod. “All right. Well, are you coming to bed?”

“Soon,” he says, touching my hand on his shoulder. He pinches my fingers and brings them to his mouth, planting a soft kiss on my knuckles. “I’ll be up soon.”

Blood rushes to my cheeks. “But everything is okay?” I ask again.

“Of course,” he says. “Why wouldn’t it?”

I shrug. I shake my head. I tell myself my gut is wrong and everything is all right between us. “Just curious.”

Max licks his lips. “Come here.”

I lean over, drawn toward him by his soft touch on my cheek. He kisses me, warm and tender as always. And I get butterflies, just as always.

“I love you,” he whispers.

I smile. “I love you.”

“Go to sleep. I’ll be there to hold you soon.”

I stand up. “Gonna hold you to that.” I smile at the dog. “Do you want me to take her?”

“No, she’s fine,” he says, giving her another pat on the head. “I’ll take her out before I come up.”

“Okay,” I say. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Max lays a kiss on my palm before releasing my hand. I take a step back, watching as he puts his headphones back on and goes right back to his work.

See? He’s just busy. Just another big case.

There’s nothing to worry about.

Chapter Fourteen

Phoebe

I awaken with the whisper of feet across the bedroom floor. My hand reaches out on its own, touching Max’s side of the bed. But he isn’t there.

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