Page 24 of Lipstick Lies

My face heated, and I walked closer, wishing I had my glasses on so I could mess with them to take his stare off my face. Grabbing the envelope, I slid out the card and read it aloud.

“Thought I’d put the note on the outside this time so you wouldn’t accuse me of tampering with it. I remembered how much you liked to eat pizza after a mission. Hope that’s still the case. You did well tonight, little hacker. Ryker.”

I looked up, taking in the expressions of the others. It seemed like they were waiting for me to respond. Even Cohen had a curious look on his face, and I had to guess the conversation I overheard had helped with the thaw between them.

“He’s not wrong, and I’m suddenly starved.”

“Ryker had to request that earlier since the kitchen closed two hours ago,” Cohen said.

The importance of that statement wasn’t lost on me. He knew we’d succeed and had thought ahead to get me a pizza.

Barnacles! He was breaking through my exterior and hitting me right in the mushy heart region.

“Who wants some pizza?” I placed the envelope on the dresser, picked up the laundry basket, and followed Milo. “Um, if you want to change, I’ll throw some clothes in the wash.”

“Oh, sure.”

While I waited for him to return, I grabbed a slice, eating it as I thought. Never before had a piece of pizza felt like it held so much meaning.

“Want some help?” Cohen asked, the basket already in his hands.

“Yeah, that’d be nice.” Wiping my hands and face, I walked out of the suite toward the laundry room with him. We were quiet as we made our way. I was lost in my thoughts, trying to put together the puzzle that my dating life was suddenly.

Separating colors and delicates, I went through the motions as I added the laundry detergent and softener. It wasn’t until I hit the start button that Cohen even tried to talk.

“How are you feeling? You seem deep in your head.”

When faced with a question you weren’t prepared to answer, the best course of action was a deflection.

“I overheard your conversation with Ryker,” I blurted instead.

Cohen smiled, moving forward to block and back me up against the washer. He braced his hands on the top, leaning over me as he stared down at me with his intense eyes.

“I know. I wanted you to hear. The comms beep when a new party enters the channel.”

“Oh.” I swallowed, licking my lips, trying to think of what to say. “I’m still sorry I didn’t say anything.”

“What did you think of what he had to say?”

“He sounded remorseful. I actually wanted to talk to you about that, but you’re making it hard to think with you standing over me like this,” I gasped, my eyes shuttering as his lips grazed my cheek.

“Is that so? I kind of like having you at my mercy.” He moved back, placing his hands on my hips, and lifted me up to sit on the washer. “But this is important, and I think we need to have this conversation.”

He stepped back, leaning against the other side, and I instantly missed him. So much so that a little whine left me, causing him to grin. Cohen stepped forward, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, liking the physical contact with him. My hands began to run through his hair and his eyes closed as he leaned against my arm.

“At first, seeing and learning who he was in my life was shocking. But after I had time to think about it, I realized that he hadn’t been as awful as I made him out to be. Ryker hadn’t promised me anything, but my young heart was in love, so it felt like a tragic betrayal. Knowing he’s been watching over me shifts that a little. I wasn’t always open with you about my feelings, so I can understand his actions a little more. I don’t know if I want to be in a relationship with him anymore, but I think I can forgive him and find a way to be friends and colleagues where I don’t want to punch him every five seconds.”

Chuckling, I kept playing with his hair and massaging his scalp. It seemed to be the perfect balance of us being vulnerable without it being too scary.

“I know what you mean. I can recognize the fact that he wasn’t the one to set me up now, and those feelings I had for him never really went away, but it’s hard to trust when I’ve been jilted. When I was not so secretly listening, I had an epiphany that no matter what happens with Ryker, I think it’s a decision we must make together. Because I don’t want to lose you. You’re my heart, Co-bear.”

“Finley Amelia Reyes, don’t you know how much I love you? A stupid amount.” He grinned, his eyes so full of love that I practically melted.

“Stupid amount, huh? I could almost take that as an insult.”

“I told you I love you for the second time, and you’re worried about the fact I said stupid?” His brow creased as he tried to work it out.

“I love you a stupid amount, too,” I said, my cheeks heating. Cohen stopped, the biggest smile ever crossing his face.

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