Paisley’s eyes squint as she looks between the two ribbon color swatches. “Those literally look exactly the same.”
“No,” I drag, trying to hold back my laugh. They really are nearly the same color, and I’m mostly just messing with her. Mostly. “The celadon pulls more gray undertones, whereas the sage is warmer.”
She stares at me, looking more confused than ever. “You’re starting to make me think I’m color blind. They look identical.”
“They are very close. The more you look at colors, the more you’re able to tell them apart.”
“Is this a test, and I’m failing it? Am I getting fired?”
I laugh at her questions. “Why on earth would I be firing you?”
She crosses her arms. “Because, you called in yesterday andyou never call in. We all assumed you were getting ready to fire us or something.”
A heated blush blooms on my face, so I cough in an attempt to conceal it. She’s right, I never call in. I’m not sure what came over me, aside from the fact that leaving my warm bed, with Dominic draped over me like a weighted blanket, seemed like the last thing I felt like doing. So I didn’t. Instead, I fired off assignments via email to Paisley and Faith and Ben and stayed home.
It was easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
It’s been three weeks since Dominic and I officially got back together, and it’s been fulfilling to say the least. While the sex has been great, and there’s been plenty of it, it’s been so much more than that. We’ve fused our lives together.
Gone are the days of coming home to an empty house and sad leftovers. Even when Dominic isn’t home—because he’s on shift or tending to something work-related—his presence is everywhere. His shoes are gathered next to mine at the entry, his clothes hang in my closet, his toiletries are in the bathroom. I didn’t realize how much I would like it.
He took my advice and contacted Ethan’s contractor, who quickly got to work. The renovations became more of an undertaking than anticipated, forcing Dominic to move in with me. He was already staying with me as much as possible, but this made it more official.
Things almost feel normal. Almost.
Though it’s been weeks of silence from whoever was trying to get my attention, we still don’t have any answers, leaving a dark cloud hanging over everything.
Under Sheriff Doyle made the call to pull back on patrol surveillance due to resources and lack of evidence that it was still needed. Dominic was pissed about it, but understood. Since then, the most we get is a patrol drive-by each shift. I stilldon’t go anywhere alone, and we take as many precautions as necessary, but it’s starting to feel pointless.
Maybe it was Stuart, and because he’s locked up, the threats have stopped.
Either way, it’s hard to fully embrace all the good things that have happened lately without feeling the looming shadow that it could all be taken in an instant.
But for every stress and worry about what comes next, Dominic is by my side.
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine I wasn’t always sharing my life with him. It’s only been weeks, but it feels like it’s been longer than that. We fit together so seamlessly, I’d never guess we were ever apart.
As I’m about to put Paisley out of her misery, there’s a double tap on my door. When I look over, Dominic is standing in the doorway, in his work uniform, looking way too delicious. He shoots me a grin while lifting a bag.
“Brought you lunch.”
“Hey,” Paisley greets, already on her way out.
Dominic lifts his chin to her, and as soon as she’s past him, he closes the door. In three strides he’s on me, the takeout bag tossed on my desk. My back is pressed to the wall and his hands are cupping my face.
“Fuck, I missed you,” he breathes, and then captures my mouth, planting a consuming kiss on my lips, which I quickly deepen.
“We saw each other this morning,” I sigh, as he trails kisses down my neck.
His lips pause against the curve of my neck, his breath hot on my skin. “Not the same,” he murmurs, low and rough. “Morning you is a grumpy brat. Midday you? In charge and fucking sexy. Drives me wild.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, though it’s cut short when his teeth graze my collarbone. “Dominic,” I scold, but my handsbetray me, gripping the front of his shirt and pulling him closer. “You’re going to wrinkle my blouse.”
His palms slide down my sides, settling on my hips as he leans back just enough to meet my eyes. “You say that like I’m supposed to care.”
“You’re supposed to care because I have a meeting soon,” I remind him, trying to sound steadier than I feel. “One where I’ll need to look professional and not like I’ve been thoroughly kissed in my office.”
A slow grin spreads across his face, the kind that always makes my stomach flip. “Thoroughly kissed, huh? Would you rather look thoroughly fucked instead?”
