Page 63 of Tied Over

“Okay, excellent,” she said, lifting her phone to snap a picture of me scowling at her. “And look at that, I’ve captured your true essence with this shot.”

“You’re an ass,” I made known.

Cackling, she stepped closer. “And even if my brother and Bodhi don’t work out, we’re going to stay friends. Yes?”

“Oh, it’ll work out.”

She tipped her head slightly. “We’ll see. Either way, I’m keeping you. I haven’t met anyone I’ve liked this much in years.”

I grunted.

“And you?” she prodded.

“Yeah, fine. Whatever.”

She laughed, and I put my arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

“Oh, Jed,” she said with a sigh. “I love this long-suffering thing you’ve got going, but you’re not fooling anyone.”

“What?”

“You’re madly in love with that partner of yours. I can see it clear as day.”

I felt that jolt of fear run up my spine. “No, you’re misunderstanding how we—”

“I’m not,” she replied with a sweet chuckle. “I have eyes, and I can see he’d never leave you. And you can stand there and be all ridiculous and manly and try and tell me that you’re just partners, and it’s a life-and-death job, and you’re hurt, so he’s especially attentive, but come on. That’s total crap.”

I took a step away to really look at her. “I want Bodhi and your brother to be happy.”

“Why? Because my brother is the best man for him?”

“Yes.”

“And is that because Hayden’s so utterly amazing or because you believe you’re no good for Bodhi?”

“Both?” I offered lamely.

She laughed at me. “You’re a liar.”

“I—no,” I said, trying to sound firm, and then gave it another shot. “No.”

“Listen, I love my brother, but much like my parents, he likes to play it safe. When he told me what Bodhi did for a living, I nearly died. Zach had to cover for me with a fit of coughing that would have made Gollum proud.”

“Zach’s a keeper.”

“He is. And do you know what he does?”

“Oh shit. I don’t, actually,” I said, grimacing, feeling sort of crappy about that.

“He’s an FBI agent.”

“No shit?”

“No shit,” Zach said, chuckling, walking over to us. “But I’m a special agent, honey,” he reminded his wife. “Gotta put the special in there so he knows I’m one of the guys in charge.”

I shook my head at him.

“Special,” he repeated.