Page 68 of Donovan's Men

Should’ve waited until Monday.

Or the next time she’s in the office.

Or never.

Smith pressed a hand to her shoulder, and she slowly roused.

When she caught sight of me, she brightened. Really, I would’ve struggled to find another word to describe the joy in her smile.

“My favorite counselor.”

A running joke between the two of us. She loved all her employees equally…but I’d been the first one she’d met at, admittedly, a low point in her life. To see the woman she’d become after crawling up from the despair she’d endured warmed my heart.

She rose to her feet, allowed Smith to steady her, then opened her arms.

This wasn’t the norm for us—but I understood. New mothers often faced fluctuations in hormones and emotions. If she wanted to offer a hug—or if she needed one—I was happy to oblige.

The petite woman felt insubstantial in my arms. She barely topped five feet tall. And although she’d gained a desperately needed twenty pounds or so since we’d first met, she was still on the slender side. Her long, black curly hair fell in disheveled waves—as if she’d been running her hands through it.

“I’m glad you’ve come.” She whispered the words in my ear as she held tight in our embrace just a moment longer. Finally, she pulled back. “Tea? The kettle’s just boiled.”

“Tea sounds lovely. I understand you have decaffeinated?”

Allie shot Smith a glare.

He shrugged with a sheepish grin.

I took her icy hand in mine. “I’m happy to drink tea. Especially since Smith thinks he’s going to sneak a coffee.”

“Oh, really,” Allie drawled. “And how did you think you’d keep that a secret?”

“By using a sealed coffee cup and brushing my teeth before we kissed?”

She let go of my hand and moved to stand before him—hands on her hips.

He bent to place a kiss to her cheek. “And you would’ve gone along with it because you love me.”

“God, I really do.” She moved to the kettle on the stove. “You can have coffee if you want,” she threw over her shoulder to me.

“You know I’m a tea drinker.” I grinned. “How can I help?”

“Plop your ass at the table and tell me what’s going on.” She eyed me as she snagged two large mugs from the cupboard.

Smith set about putting on a small pot of coffee.

“It’s…complicated.”

Allie brought the steaming mugs with tea bags in. She went back for a small plate and two spoons. “Milk? Sugar?”

“Neither, thanks.”

“Yeah, I remember. Just making sure things haven’t changed much since my departure.”

“You’ve hardly departed.” I stirred my tea. “You’re on maternity leave. And you’ve been in the office at least three times.”

“And Wesley’s vociferously expressed his displeasure all three times.” Smith sat at the table. “He’s…well able to let us know when he’s not happy.”

Allie placed her hand over his. “He’s a baby.”