Page 22 of What We May Be

“Sean Hale strikes again.” Trevor grunted, unamused, as he flipped open the box. “Give her a few minutes to cool off.”

“Because that worked so well for you?” Charlie flicked the side of his hand, just shy of his swollen knuckles.

He flicked her hand away with a grin and grabbed a powdered, jelly-filled doughnut out of the box. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Charlie couldn’t help but laugh when he shoved half the doughnut in his mouth and jelly spurted out the other end. Unfazed, he shoved in the rest, chewed, and swallowed. His satisfied smile and powdered-sugar–covered face was a welcome respite from the long, wonky day. It felt normal. It felt like home. She snagged a dish towel and wiped the sugar off his face. “You’d think after thirty-three years, you’d learn how to eat these things without making a mess.”

He grinned wider and licked the jelly off his fingers. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?”

“You do know I interrogate people for a living, right?”

His eyes widened in mock surprise. “I had no idea.” Laughing, he swiped another doughnut. “But I might have a lead on Jeff.”

“Yeah?” She snatched the original glazed from him and chomped it in half.

“I see how it is.” He narrowed his eyes, going for pouty betrayal but failing miserably to contain his laughter. She finished her doughnut as they fell into their normal after-dinner coffee routine. “So, I overheard an interesting conversation at the summer staff potluck.”

“I can’t believe y’all still had that two days after Jeff died.”

“Best time for gossip, and it seems Jeff’s death is likely to clear the way for several tenure candidates.”

“To fill his spot?”

“No, others. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.” He pushed the Brew button, then leaned a hip against the counter. “He’s been the logjam on my tenure committee. Apparently, he’s made a habit of it over the years.”

“But would that amount to treason?”

“Depends on how seriously your killer takes academic integrity. I’ll dig around some more tomorrow, see what else I can find out.”

“Am I going to have to deputize you?” she teased, lightly shoving his chest.

He caught her wrists and leaned in. “Learned from the best, honey.”

Before he could move back, before she could think better of it, Charlie rotated her wrists, locking him in and holding him close. Wanting to soak in more of the easy comfort. She lifted her eyes, meeting Trevor’s wide hazel ones. Greens and browns morphed from surprised to confused to heated. His lips parted on a shaky gasp, such a vulnerable, luring tell from such a large man. She couldn’t deny the relief she’d felt falling back into his arms after the funeral, couldn’t deny how naturally the kisses between them had come, even after ten years apart. Couldn’t deny being tempted to chase after that sweet relief again. They were older now. Maybe they could make it work this time.

“Charlie, if you want this…”

She fingered his open collar, then sighed and tipped forward, forehead to his chest. “Even if I wanted that, I’m terrified to lose this.”

He curled an arm around her back and nuzzled her temple. “Me too.”

Her weary chuckle was cut off by a gasp and crash of plastic behind them. Startling apart, she shifted to Trevor’s side to find a red-faced Annie by the back door, a tipped over laundry basket at her feet.

“I’m sorry.” Annie bent to gather the scattered clothes. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Trevor rushed to her side. “It’s okay, A.” He laid a hand on her shoulder and knelt beside her. “Here, let me help.”

Charlie switched off the coffeemaker on her way to them but stopped a foot short when her cell chimed with an emergency alert from the station. She glanced at the screen. “It’s an SOS from Abel.”

“Go,” Trevor said as he helped Annie gather the scattered clothes. “I’ve got this.”

“You always do.” Closing the distance, she squeezed Trevor’s shoulder with a whispered “Thank you” and coasted her other hand over Annie’s head. Her sister flinched, curling her fingers around the edge of the basket. Fuck, she needed to handle that, needed to bridge the gap before it opened into another chasm like the one after the funeral. She’d just gotten her sister back.

The phone beeped again, and she cursed aloud.

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