Page 144 of Three for a Girl

Chad nudged Romeo’s shoulder. “The point is, what we’ve found out is enough to discredit his reputation at least, and Kerion and Ellen. Missing paint on their secret car matches the mark on the gate, his bike matches the tire print, and the blood on his bike’s top box matches their most recent victim, Gary. The three of them are finally seen in a different light.”

“Spotlight’s on them for a very different reason.”

“Ally was upset about Carter, says he was too good looking to be a nice guy.”

“Handsome ones are always the worst.”

Chad tried to elbow him, but Romeo caught his arm and spun him around until they were facing each other. He wrapped his arms around Chad’s back, and Chad snaked his around Romeo’s neck.

“Do you have to make a joke out of everything?”

“Most things, because it makes you laugh.”

“Keeley told me making jokes out of everything is a sign of stress.”

“Did she?”

“It masks inner pain.”

“Well, you’d know all about masks, detective.”

Chad narrowed his eyes and Romeo laughed.

“Do I look like I’m in pain?”

His eyes were bright, round, happy, and dimples pressed into his cheek as he grinned. He drew circles on Chad’s lower back with his thumb, and his heartbeat was steady against Chad’s chest.

“No.” he whispered.

“No.” Romeo agreed. “I feel the best I’ve ever felt, and when I look into your eyes, I see it, too.”

“See what?”

“You feel the same.”

Chad looked away, but his face gave him away, warming up. He blinked away the sting in his eyes.

“But not normal.”

“Never normal, and that’s okay.”

“Because we’re in the grey.”

“Damn that therapist of yours.”

Romeo leaned in, pressing his lips to Chad’s. He held onto Romeo’s jaw to deepen the kiss, but he ducked away.

“What is it?”

“You know, we can donormalthings, too.”

“Like what?”

A blush hit Romeo’s cheeks. Chad stroked one, frowning.

“We don’t have to just be about murder, and sex. Not everything a normal couple does repulses me. We could … go out somewhere. The beach, or a park.”

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

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