Page 97 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“We could put out theDo Not Disturbsign, but I don’t think that would stop her.”
Lily felt the urge to put her hair up and start analyzing her way out of this nightmare. “What about an APB? I’ve seen other guys do it as a joke.”
“Do you really think that would actually work?” Robbie settled his hands on her hips, squeezing them gently. “Look, now you’re all tense again. I’m going to have to dedicate some serious time to helping you relax.”
“Relax?” She pushed on his chest. “How are you not embarrassed by this?”
He winced before saying, “Tyler told me I deserve props for being handcuffed to one of the most gorgeous but hands-off female FBI agents in the Bureau and coming out with a love match. It changed my perspective.”
“Sheila told Tyler?”Lily started to get up, but Robbie held her in place.
“Did you really think she was going to keep it to herself?” Robbie sat up and kissed her sweetly, clearly trying to take the sting out of his words. “While we’re on the subject…”
“Oh God!” She grabbed a fistful of his shirt. “Your family knows. Dammit, I’d hoped Tim—”
“No dice there.” He winced. “Tim told Billie, who told Danny, and then Danny told Kathleen, and then—”
“I am in hell with a capitalH.” She flopped onto her back. “That’s all there is to it. I finally meet ‘the guy’ for me, and I’m a joke both at work and with his family. This can’t be happening.”
He leaned toward the bedside table and grabbed her coconut water. “Here, drink this. And then take some deep breaths.”
“Hydration and breath work is not going to fix this!” Oh, she was so embarrassed her cheeks could blister. “How can I face your family when they know about the cuffs?Does your dad know?”
He made a pretext of putting her coconut water carefully back in place.
“Robbie O’Connor, you answer me.”
“I can’t say for sure, but he has ears.” He gave a full-body shiver. “You really do sound like my mother when you say that, by the way. But you’re missing the point. No one in my family really cares about the cuffs. They’re freaking thrilled I’ve found someone. Jesus, have I lost my ability to swear? I just saidfreakingwithout even thinking about it.”
She wished she could laugh, and the fact that she couldn’t had her taking those deep breaths he’d recommended.
“Also, Sheila and Tyler, but especially Sheila, are really happy for you too. Not that Tyler would gossip about us. He could tell I was upset when Sheila started quizzing me about which handcuff styles I prefer. So that’s when he helped me see a different perspective.”
“Wait! She quizzed you? About handcuffs? Oh, this is getting worse by the minute.”
He rubbed his jaw before lying beside her. “How can I help you see this in a good way like Tyler did for me?”
Closing her eyes, she invoked a mantra of her own:don’t think about it. “Fine. I’ll deal with it. I’ll remind myself I just caught some really bad guys and am getting the promotion of my life.”
“Certainly something we need to celebrate.” Kissing her softly, he lifted up until their eyes met. “Don’t forget the part about you meeting ‘the guy.’ I kinda liked that part.”
She did too. “I might have to do some more deep breath work and a few mantras, but I’m going to put this aside.”
“Good.” He kissed her more swiftly this time before pushing up off the bed. “Because Sheila’s present should be arriving any minute.”
She crawled off the bed and laid her hand on his arm. “You mean she gave you a time?”
He lifted his watch and tapped the face. “Yep. Ten o’clock. Said she should be able to hit the local sex store just before it closes and be back at the hotel before we—”
“Enough!” She held up a hand, wincing so hard her cheekbones hurt. “I can’t take any more.”
He took her hand and kissed it sweetly. “Deep breaths. Focus on your mantra.”
She glared at his smiling face. “You’re lucky I’m a nice person.”
Taking her into his arms, he slid his hands along her back. “I’m the luckiest. I happen to be in love with the smartest, funniest, sexiest woman, who shares the same passions as I do.”
She felt her heart bloom in her chest. They’d already talked about moving in together, both of them feeling the need to spend as much time together as possible while continuing to give their all to their jobs. “You mean killing their work partner?” she joked, telling herself not to think about losing Sheila as her partner—not that they wouldn’t hang out in their spare time and work on cases together.
