“Because it’s a long story and if youaregetting mad at me, I don’t want it to be here.”
He leans in again and my heart does a little loop in my chest before he just drops a kiss at the top of my head, inhaling deeply.
“Are you sniffing me?”
“In the middle of a public space, I think my intrusive thoughts are getting worse,” he muses playfully. “Go change, I’ll wait here.”
“Okay… Don’t kill anyone, the police might see you.”
He chuckles, and I step back, bending to grab my duffle bag from under my desk. I lock myself in the locker room and change.
Comfy that makes me feel pretty.
I slip into a white floral playsuit with thin straps and white sneakers, and check my reflection in the mirror. The white makes my skin look a little tanner, and the green flowers make my eyes pop. It’s flowy enough that I can move freely, and it gives a cute boho vibe.
I kind of love it. And Ifeelpretty enough.
Nuri and Evie 100% agreed.
I free my hair from the high ponytail and watch it cascade over my shoulders, nearly reaching my ribs. I comb my fingers through it a couple of times, trying to tame the waves until I’m satisfied it’s nottooover the place.
Then I brush my teeth, reapply some deodorant—it’s L.A and it’s hot, thank you for understanding—fold my work clothes into the bag and leave.
Nate is waiting for me, just like he said, leaning against my desk, his arms folded in front of him. His cold glare melts when his eyes land on me and he straightens up.
My lips part when I reach him as he hands me a single, beautiful, pinkish amaryllis.
“I meant to get a whole bouquet but Derek’s back was completely wrecked.”
“Where did you getthisone?” I ask, reaching for it, but he pulls aways,tsking.
“I might have stolen it,” he grins. “From the front desk. While Matthew was distracting the other officers.”
He cuts the stem in a quick motion using my scissors, and slides it over my ear.
“Threats and thievery… In a police precinct. I didn’t know I was going on a date with a Bad boy,” I tease.
The flower secured, his hand drops, sliding in my hair softly, almost reverently, and I feel my heart flutter. His eyes follow the motion of his fingers, but snap up to my eyes as soon as he reaches the ends.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Not to forget, comfy,” I add with an awkward smile, still getting used to the compliments.
“You’re ready to go?” He asks, picking my purse from my chair and I nod. “Let’s go. I’m parked outside.”
“What if the front desk wants their flower back?” I ask as he leads me towards the elevator.
“They can still fight me for it,” He winks. “Come on, I’ll tell you what you wanted to know in the car, so you can get mad at me, and we can move on to our date.”
I roll my eyes, but the smile still stretches my lips as we sneak past the front desk, him holding me close to his side so the flower is as hidden as possible.
34
WHAT IS THE DEAL BETWEEN YOU AND RAPHAEL?
Nuri: Where are you taking her?
Nate: Not telling you.
