Page 65 of Deadly Forever

“We’re not single,” Jake said. “We’re already married in our hearts.”

“Yes, but you’re not technically married yet,” James said. “You should be playing games and enjoying each other. Once you’re married, everything changes.”

Mandy shifted her chin so she could lock gazes with James. “Everything changes for the better, right?”

“Definitely,” James said, kissing the tip of her nose. “Everything gets better when you’re united with your soul mate. I should know … because I have the best soul mate ever.”

Mandy grinned. “That was a really good answer.”

“I’m not new at this, wife.”

“Oh, puke,” Grady groused. “I hope I don’t get that schmaltzy once I’m married.”

“Something tells me you’re going to be worse,” Peter said, chuckling. “Come on. Drinks all around. We need to toast to the end of your single lives. From here on out, everything you do will be together.”

Grady’s smile was earnest as he rubbed the back of Sophie’s neck. “Strangely enough, that sounds like Heaven to me.”

It sounded like Heaven to all of them. It was almost time to discard the old and embrace the new. They just had one final thing to do before that could happen … and they were all dedicated to seeing it get done.

19

Nineteen

“Okay, we need to figure out a plan,” James announced the next morning, strolling into his office and making a face when he saw Maverick sitting behind his desk. He did a double take and glanced at the clock on the wall before shifting his eyes back to the computer guru. “What are you doing here?”

“Last time I checked, I work for you,” Maverick replied dryly. “That’s what I’m doing. We still have no idea who tried to hack your system. That’s my goal for the day.”

“Uh-huh.” James was dubious. “It’s nine.”

“I noticed.”

“It’s nine in the morning,” James said. “You generally don’t get up until noon.”

“Yes, well, I don’t like being a creature of habit,” Maverick said, shifting his eyes to Mandy. She stood behind James and seemed amused by the conversation. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“Don’t flirt with my wife,” James warned, extending a finger. “She doesn’t like it.”

“I’m fine with it,” Mandy countered, grinning as she edged around James’ hip and moved into his office. “I like feeling pretty … and Maverick always makes me feel pretty.”

James was annoyed. “Are you saying I don’t make you feel pretty?”

“Of course not,” Mandy scoffed. “You make me feel beautiful. It’s nice when someone else notices, too, though.”

“You tell him, baby,” Maverick said, offering an exaggerated wink.

“Don’t call me that,” Mandy ordered, her pleasant demeanor slipping. “Only James can call me that.”

Now it was James’ turn to smile. “Ha, ha,” he intoned. “She told you.”

“You guys are absolutely no fun,” Maverick said, shaking his head. “Were you always this way, or are you simply boring now that you’re married?”

“We are very far from boring,” James countered. “We also have big plans for tonight. That means we need to put this case to bed.”

“What kind of plans?” Maverick asked, leaning forward. “Are they sexy plans?”

James scowled. “Actually, we’re having special … parties … this evening.”

“What kind of parties?”