Page 89 of How I Love You

“Oh, whatever you’re thinkin’ about sayin’, just don’t. I fully intend to get myself mixed up in whatever I want, and you can’t stop me,” I said, beaming up at him. “You know I can’t resist a good mystery.”

Colt groaned. “Great. That won’t ever come back to bite him in the?—”

Tucker held up a finger, but before he could yell at Colt for another one of those jokes about Tucker’s rear end that would just never get old for us, the door swung open again, and Hope appeared, balancing a tray of coffees.

She handed one to Colt, who took it with a muttered thanks as he tried not to openly gawk at how pretty she was, then smiled at me as she passed another cup my way. “I’m off today, so I figured I’d do my part to keep the team fueled.”

I took the coffee, smiling back at her. “Thanks, Hope,” I said, then glanced around the office. “So... what do you think of our new setup?”

“Ournew setup?” Tuck asked.

Hope’s eyes twinkled as both of us ignored him. “It’s perfect. And a place on Main Street, right next to the Squirrel? You’ll be in the middle of all the action.”

Colt’s gaze flicked to Hope, lingering just a little longer than necessary. “You’re always welcome to drop by, too, you know. In case you need... anything.”

I exchanged a knowing look with Tucker, but before I could tease them, the door creaked open one last time. This time, it was Austin, charging in with his phone in hand and excitement written all over his face.

“Guys! You won’t believe it,” Austin said, barely pausing to catch his breath. “There’s this rumor going around that someone’s been sneaking into the old mill at night, and they found a bunch of old bones. Real ones. Human, I think.”

Tucker shot me a look. “He thinks?”

I just shrugged, taking a sip of my coffee. “Looks like we’ll be busy.”

Tucker’s arm tightened around my shoulders. “Yes,Colt and Iwill be.”

“Pshh, you know you want me around to help when I’m not at work. You need someone to keep you on your toes.”

“You always do,” he said, pulling me close for a kiss, his lips warm and familiar against mine.

As I melted into the kiss, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come. From the case, to falling for each other during one of the weirdest times in my life, to almost losing each other, to now… building something real together.

We broke apart, and Tucker gave me a crooked smile. “You ready for this, Wildcard?”

I glanced around the office, the town bustling just outside the window, and then back at him. “More than ready.”

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