“Tessa, what are you doing here? Is everything—?”
“We don’t have much time. I know where to find Ironhazel, and I need your help. No, I want your help.” My voice cracked, and I had to clear my throat before I could continue. “Detective, can we be partners one more time?”
***
The wharf swarmed with sailors unloading cargo. Crates swung over the ship railings and were slowly lowered down to the dock. Shouts and animated conversation filled the air. Derrick had placed officers around the perimeter, so there was no way in and no way out without one of them seeing.
We moved through the crowd in search of the ship Charlie had written down. A crate of fish spilled open in our path, and the floppy monsters stared at us with beady, lifeless eyes. Their smell clogged the air.
I used my sleeve to cover my mouth and pointed to the furthest ship. “Over there. That’s the one.”
Derrick hesitated, reaching for my arm when I tried to move past him. “Tessa, wait.”
I recognized the indecision on his face. “No. Don’t even think about it. I’m going with you. We’re partners, remember? That was the deal.”
He sighed and gripped my shoulders. “Yes, I remember. Promise me, you’ll be careful.”
“Always. We should split up.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“Tessa…” His hands fisted my cloak, pulling it tight. “Don’t push me.”
“Fine. We’ll stay together, but we need a plan so we can get closer without attracting attention.” My foot tapped lightly against the ground while I considered our options.
A group of men stumbled past, bumping into a stack of crates. They laughed and kept on moving, leaving a trail of empty bottles in their wake. I picked one up and handed it to Derrick, then retrieved another for myself.
“Cheers.” With a clink of my bottle against his, I swayed into him, wrapping my arm around his waist.
Derrick took the full brunt of my weight, dragging my hood over my head when it slipped free. He chuckled at my drunken act, and the mood lightened. His smile made my heart stutter.
We wandered closer to the ship, weaving unsteadily through the mob of people. Near the gangway, I sank to my knees, peeking beneath the curve of my hood. A man with a ledger directed crates and passengers in different directions. We watched for almost half an hour, heads low, leaning drunkenly against a wooden post.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Derrick asked.
“Why? Is there somewhere else you need to be?”
“No, nowhere else.” The arm he’d wrapped around my waist tightened.
I relaxed into his side, taking comfort in his solid warmth. Stakeouts were my new favorite thing. Next time, I might bring snacks and definitely some real wine. Assuming there would be a next time. Derrick had agreed to this little mission, but it didn’t mean we were back together.
“Why did you change your mind? I thought you wanted to win.”
Silence stretched between us. I fiddled with the top of my bottle, circling my finger around the rim as I stalled for time. I didn’t know how to start.
His hand closed over my fingers. “You always fiddle with things when you’re nervous. Stop. Tell me the truth.”
“I can’t believe you notice that.”
“What? Fiddling with things? You do it all the time.” He paused, angling his head to rest against mine. “I notice everything you do. You play with my collar when you’re trying to get your way, and I pretend I don’t like it. You turn your head when you curse. I don’t know why you bother, I can hear you loud and clear. And I know you can’t see it, but you get this look in your eyes when you’re about to cast a spell. It’s half-terror and half-hope, and every time, I want the spell to work because I know you’re going to flash me one of your smug smiles.”
“I donothave a smug smile.”
“You do, and for some reason, I find it incredibly charming.” His voice lowered. “So, tell me why you changed your mind.”
The stupid wind was making my eyes sting again. How was I supposed to talk around the lump in my throat? I cleared it away.
