Page 129 of Trigger

“The Bethesda case,” Shelly cut in, throwing a folder at me. “I’mnot your secretary, Thorsen.”

I grabbed it and nodded at her, grateful for the backup. When Ilooked at Carter, he was staring at me with a strange expression on his face,and it made my smile drop. He never looked at me like that before. Was it good?Bad? God, I had no clue.

“Thorsen!” Chief Bibb bellowed, making me flinch. “In my office.Now.”

I headed there when I got a text that made me stumble. I blinkedto clear my vision, but the words remained the same.

Carter: How about that date?

I didn’t dare look at him in fear he would change his mind, so Ityped in a quick reply.

Me: Tonight?

Five seconds later my phone pinged with a text.

Carter: Too long. After work.

I collided with a door before I could text him back.

Chapter 26

The Date

Carter

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, wondering if I wasoverdressed, but it was a date after all. A black T-shirt, black slacks, andblack shoes seemed appropriate for the occasion. Also, it was my first datewith a man. Fuck. Was I doing this? Yes, because I couldn’t imagine not going.Beyond that, I knew nothing.

I grabbed a bottle of wine and left my apartment before I couldchange my mind. When I knocked on Tye’s door, he opened it almost immediately,although he was on the phone. He motioned for me to enter and closed the doorbehind me as I left the bottle on the console table. And he was kind of dressedup, too. He wore a white shirt with palm trees imprint and blue shorts, and hesmelled like a shower. His hair looked damp, and I suppressed the need to combmy fingers through it.

“What did the report say?” Tye said into the phone, caressing myback before heading to the kitchen.

I could see the table was already set, and it looked amazing. Itfeatured a light-colored tablecloth, lovingly folded pink napkins, and even avase filled with beautiful pink and white roses. In the center of the tablestood a candlestick with a lit candle that made the room look even moreromantic. The terrace door was open, and the curtain swayed on a soft breeze,revealing the beautiful orange sunset.

I followed Tye into the kitchen, where something smelled amazing.

“Can I help?” I mouthed. He shook his head before reaching for thecorkscrew and handing it to me.

“I have to go, Bazooka,” he said, keeping his eyes on me. “Let meknow when you get those reports. I won’t be available tonight, but I’ll getback to you tomorrow.”

My face warmed when he winked at me, but I played it cool. I tookthe corkscrew and used it to open the wine, remembering his words from lastnight.How far do you want to take this?

I didn’t have a clue.

“Sorry about that,” Tye said, bringing a pot filled with steamingfood to the table. “Bazooka says they had another murder, but it doesn’t seemto be our guy.”

I made a face. “I hope not.”

“You alright?” Tye said, filling our glasses with wine.

I nodded, sitting across from him.

“The food smells delicious. What did you make?”

“Lemon chicken and rice,” he replied, raising his glass in atoast. “Santé.”

“Cheers.”

As the dinner progressed, I fully relaxed, like always in hispresence. The night was warm and quiet, except for the cats hissing on thenearby roof. The room was enveloped in pleasant darkness, apart from theflickering candles strategically placed around the room.

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