Best Laid Plans

“It sure as hell is.” I point from him to me. “And we are so damn lucky that we can do what we do, and not have to worry about where every cent is coming from or going to.”

“That’s the truth.” Shaw is some kind of wizard financially and set himself up with several well-timed stock trades over the years so he wouldn’t have to make tough choices and he wouldn’t have to leave his hometown. He made enough wise investments that he was able to pursue this career and live in a town with ridiculous home prices at the same time. “I don’t know that I can live someplace else. I love my sister, and I love my family too much.”

I admire that about Shaw—he’s a family man. But when he mentions his sister, I don’t think of Perri. I think of another person, one who’s close with Perri.

Arden.

The woman I can’t stop thinking about.

The woman who’s uncovering a brazen new confidence about her wants and wishes.

She’s speaking her mind, voicing her desires, and it’s hot as hell.

And while I don’t have any secret wants or wishes to share with the guys, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, either, to let the boys at work know I give a shit about them. I spend much of my time messing with them, as they do with me. But moments like this matter too. The honest ones. Because the fact is, I depend on them every day. I rely on Shaw to have my back, and he does the same with me.

“Hey, Shaw?”

He gives a quizzical lift of his brow. “Yeah?”

“You’re a good guy. I’m glad we’re on the same team.”

He shoots me a you have to be kidding me look. “Have you gone all soft and fuzzy inside?”

I decide to own it. “Yeah, I have in this second. I’m going to miss Charlie when he leaves. Practically felt like he worked right here with us.”

“He pretty much did.”

“And you know what? I’d miss you if you left too, so I’d really like it if you’d stick around.”

He smiles, and it’s a genuine one. “You’re stuck with me, Harrison. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Let’s keep it that way. Let’s keep doing this—looking out for each other.”

He offers a fist for knocking. “Sounds like a deal.”

Shoes click behind me, and Shaw turns toward the sound then wiggles his eyebrows at me. “I believe you have a visitor.”

I spin around, and I try to hide the smile, but it’s no use. I can’t help but grin when I see Arden. Lovely and gorgeous, bright and brainy Arden walking my way.

“Jesus Christ, Casanova. Just ask her out once and for all,” Shaw says in a low voice.

“All in due time.” And I will. As soon as we’re done with her experiment. Which means the time will be sooner rather than later.

When she reaches us, she says hi to both Shaw and me, and I do my damnedest to rein in a ridiculous grin because, hell, am I ever happy to see her.





26





Gabe





Shaw tips his chin at the woman in front of us. “Hey, Arden. Gabe and I had a little bonding session. Did you know he’s all soft and sweet inside?”

Arden smiles. “Is that so?”

Shaw punches my stomach. “He’s a total teddy bear. He was telling me that I’m his best friend.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re such a dick. I’ll go back to telling you that you’re a dick. Now get out of here, you dick.”

“Nope. I’m not a dick. You love me. You fucking love me.”

“I love it when you leave. See you, man.”

He salutes us. “I’ll let you two lovebirds catch up.”

Arden raises an eyebrow as he heads back into the station. “Why did he say ‘lovebirds’?”

“I cannot account for anything that knucklehead does.” I hope that little white lie does the trick.

She exhales as if she’s erasing Shaw from her head. “Dashiell Hammett. I know what your grandpa was talking about with the schnauzer.”

She shows me a paperback—The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett.

I give her a questioning look.

Her face brightens more. “The two married detectives have a dog. A female schnauzer named Asta. In the movie, the dog was changed to a male wire fox terrier. You said your pops liked hard-boiled detective books.” Her smile radiates as she keeps going. “I don’t think he was misremembering his collies. I think he was talking about this book when he was telling you about a female schnauzer. He was saying he wanted the female schnauzer because he didn’t like that the dog had been changed from the book. That’s what he was meaning.”

The cogs turn in my head, clicking into place. A sense of wonder bordering on awe spreads through me as she solves the puzzle of his strange dog comments that weren’t so strange after all. “That was it. Holy smokes. I think you’re right.”

Smiling, she hands the paperback to me. “It’s a gift for him. From me to him.”

My heart kicks around in my chest. I want to tell her that this detective work makes me fall a little more for her, because this means so damn much to me. I don’t say those words exactly. Instead, I tell her in a way that shows how much she matters. “Would you like to come with me tomorrow and give it to him yourself?”

Her eyes light up like sparklers. “I would love to meet your pops.”





27





Gabe





I’ve never brought a woman to see my grandfather before.

No need. No reason. It’s not exactly where you go on a date, and I haven’t been serious enough with anyone to bring her around. These visits—they’re a family thing.

As we turn down the fifth-floor hallway, my shoulders tighten, and I stretch my neck, trying to loosen up. I’m glad I haven’t run into Darla today, though, and I hope it stays that way.

Arden tells me she has to stop in the restroom, and I point in the direction of the elevators. “Right over there.”

She doubles back, and I watch her turn the corner, then I lean against the wall, telling myself to relax.