Page 37 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“Burgers and dogs are one of my faves,” she answered truthfully. “I might drink coconut water, but I love the classics.”
“Great.” He nodded crisply, picking up the shaker and putting it in the fridge. “Consider yourself forewarned, though. I know you brought adult drinks, so do you want a margarita? Ah…if they aren’t melted already. Billie and your friend seem to be enjoying them on the patio.” Another glare. “He’d better have turned on the BBQ like I asked.”
She turned and looked over. Sheila was laughing at something as Billie gestured with his hands. A margarita with a salt-lined rim was in her hand. “I’m good for now,” she answered, not wanting to interrupt them.
Obviously, Robbie was annoyed with his brother by the way he huffed as he looked out the patio window. “Tim suggested we buy some wine as well. We have red or white. Or beer. We weren’t sure what you liked.”
It was kinda sweet that they’d gone on a special trip for wine. “I’m not much of a drinker, honestly. Lightweight here. But I’ll have a glass of white if it’s no trouble.”
“It’s not.” He started opening the drawers, clearly looking for a wine opener. “I’m missing my little helper. I usually tell Reagan to look through the cabinets like a treasure hunt since we don’t know where anything is.”
“Rental house problems,” she joked. “I’m doing the same at our place.”
He made a satisfied sound finally and held up the corkscrew. “Whew! I didn’t check to make sure we had one before we went to the liquor store.”
“It wouldn’t have been a thing,” she told him, watching him meticulously open the wine. “And if you break the cork, I won’t care.”
He pulled the cork out perfectly after biting his lip in a very sexy way that made her zoom in on that area more than she should. “You’re awfully easy to please.”
“Was that a compliment or an accusation?” She crossed her arms as he glanced over sharply. “I figure there are plenty of bigger items to get worked up about. Personally, I try and have few of those on my list.”
She’d made that decision when she was a senior about to graduate from high school, and it had helped change her life. Before, she’d fallen into anger and worry easily—depression too. Growing up in a foster home had been stressful and often lonely. But when she’d finally been able to strike out on her own, she’d wrapped herself in the freedom like it was a warm blanket.
She was finally calling the shots of her life, and she was going to make them count. No secrets or abuse in her personal life. From anyone. Working through her triggers and hurts had helped. She had put the past behind her, and by God, she was proud to have the nickname Sunshine at the Bureau most days.
“Only an observation,” he mused, grabbing a wineglass and pouring her half a glass before handing it to her. “So how are you liking the Outer Banks?”
They weren’t tourists, so she went with some of her personal impressions. “The beach is great, and our house is open and comfortable. That’s all I really need. I’m only missing a hammock. I love curling up in one with a good book as the hammock sways in the ocean breeze.”
“Read anything good lately?” he asked, selecting a beer from the fridge and using the countertop edge to pop the top.
“A really great romance fantasy by Kathia calledThe Lies of Gods.” She took a sip of her wine, wondering if he was going to relax. “It’s a little King Arthur andGame of Throneswith a happy ending.”
“No wonder you like Shakespeare.” His mouth turned up in amusement. “Hang on a sec. It’s too quiet. I want to make sure Tim has the girls and Cassidy’s not off doing God knows what with Miss Purrfect.”
She choked on her wine. Surely that wasn’t the cat they’d put the tracker on… “Who?”
“The cat. It’s my current nemesis. Be right back.”
He jogged out of the room, leaving his beer on the counter. She took a moment to take a cleansing breath. God, he was a good caretaker of the girls and a good listener. Connected. Intense. Tantalizing.
Get your head in the game, Lily.She forced her mind back to the kitchen, looking for a phone, but there was nothing. Not that she was terribly surprised. Obviously, no one was posting on social media right now. Billie usually posted updates about cars he was working on—a business and personal hobby he was clearly successful at—while Tim liked to share nature scenes from his favorite parks but little else, suggesting he might be into photography.
Robbie wasn’t present on social media in his name, which wasn’t unusual in law enforcement. Neither was she. Social media was a new challenge for undercover work so she had a few accounts she could use, depending on the situation. Her name wasn’t mentioned, of course. Accounts with names like Lady of the Night or lover387 kept her somewhat protected, although it was also possible to change the name on a Facebook account once every thirty days.
Neither Robbie nor Billie seemed like the type to ask to be “friends” on social media, and she was honestly glad. When had people stopped wanting to pick up the phone and call? But she and Sheila were prepared all the same. While she didn’t think Robbie was going to check them out online—why would he suspect anything?—it paid to be ready for every eventuality, and they were. She’d bet he was as well.
So where was he keeping a phone?
“I found our little princess,” Robbie said, walking back into the kitchen with Cassidy in his arms. She was holding the cutest gingham-clad bear with a matching bow between her ears. Tim and Reagan followed, strutting in impromptu capes made out of beach towels. Both wore aluminum foil crowns with the same detailed whimsy displayed in the sandcastle on the beach.
“What ho!” Tim called out.
“Language,” Robbie corrected with an edge in his voice.
“It’s a greeting,” Tim explained, throwing his towel covered in tropical fish over his shoulder. “Not the word you’re thinking of.”
Oh my God! Robbie had thought Tim had meantho,as in a promiscuous woman? Lily bit her lip to stop her laughter.
