Page 48 of Shadow Justice

“I’m hungry.”

Reid opened his eyes. Holly watched him over the rim of her coffee mug.

“You called three times because you’re hungry?” Reid asked.

“I called three times because you didn’t answer the first two.”

He lowered the phone to the counter and put it on speaker, massaging his neck. “What do you need?”

“Coffee from Holly’s place and one of those muffins. The lemon ones, if she has them. If not, cranberry. Not blueberry. Blueberry is a muffin lying about being dessert.”

Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s Sunday, Judge. Sanctuary is closed.”

“You’re standing in the building, aren’t you?”

“I’m upstairs.”

“Then walk downstairs. You used to be more resourceful, Reid.”

Holly turned away, but her shoulders moved with silent laughter.

Reid looked at the ceiling. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good. Bring Holly if she’s there. I haven’t seen her in too long.”

Judge Fleming had the subtlety of a gavel when he chose to use it.

“I’ll call you back.”

“No need. I’ll expect you.”

The call ended.

Reid blew out a long breath. “He’s fine.”

She took another sip of coffee, and the softness in her voice did something dangerous to his chest. “I have lemon muffins in the freezer downstairs. They’ll reheat fine.”

“You don’t have to open the shop on Sunday because my grandfather has a craving.”

“The owner has keys.”

“Really, it’s no problem. I can have Roni pick up something for him from the store.”

She lifted one brow. “Don’t argue with the person holding your future in her hands.”

He smiled despite everything. “That sounds like extortion.”

“It’s breakfast logistics.” She glanced toward Blue, who’d started wagging as soon as her voice had lightened. “Besides, Blue needs the dog park. We can deliver Judge Fleming’s order, then let Blue run off whatever chaos he stored overnight, and spend ten minutes pretending the world isn’t actively on fire.”

Reid looked at her, at the woman who’d kissed him, fallen asleep beside him, woken before him, made coffee, handled his family panic with gentleness, and was now offering his grandfather muffins.

He didn’t deserve this either.

He wanted to. He wanted to become the man who did deserve it. “Coffee and muffins with Granddad, then the dog park.”

Holly poured her coffee into a travel mug. “Good. Let’s go before the universe notices we’re trying to have a quiet morning.”

CHAPTER NINE