Luke
“You have to have an opinion or gut feeling one way or another.”
Isaac breaks hard, causing me to cradle the hot pizza in my lap under my locked seat belt.
“No, I don’t. Listen, you need to relax on this. Do you hear yourself? You’re trying to solve an entire investigation based on a scarf youthinkyou might have seen Emma wear. Never mind the fact that we have no DNA, actual proof, or any reason to believe she would have done this, but now you’re going to have a date with her?”
Isaac doesn’t turn his head away from the road. With both hands on the wheel, he responds with a heavy, resigned sigh. I get it. It’s a sign that says, ‘you’re right. I’m sorry.’
My wordless response is a surprisingly relaxed chuckle.
“You know I hate to be the level headed one.”
We finally pull up to Emma’s apartment.
Once the car turns off, a brief moment relaxes us like we’re mentally cutting ourselves off from work. Isaac’s smile lets me know he’s out of worry mode. He reaches for one of the pizza boxes and almost swipes my hand in the process.
For some reason, it makes my heart skip a beat.
“I know. I won’t let it happen again. Thanks for bringing me back down to Earth.”
As we walk down the halls of Emma’s apartment building, I’m suddenly painfully aware of how hungry I am, not just for the pizza, but for a steamy encounter with a blonde or two. Before we even approach her door, I grab Isaacs muscular arm.
My heart beats harder at the touch.
What is with me today? It’s just Isaac.
“Hey, when we go in there, either be Detective Isaac or Romance Isaac. Don’t be both.”
“I will.”
He pats my shoulder.
I want the moment to linger a little longer, but it doesn’t.
Ignore it, Luke.
Emma’s door flings open before we get the chance to knock.
“Have you been waiting for us?” Isaac says with a laugh.
“No, I could smell the pizza. I was really hoping it would be you guys walking by because if it wasn’t that would be extremely embarrassing.”
My whole body relaxes being around her, like she’s the antidote to my worries. When I plop the pizza on the counter, I resist the urge to press her against a wall and kiss her as deeply and passionately as I can. I want to tell her how much I miss her and how wild everything is right now, but instead, we all opt for a sweet hug and gentle kiss on the cheek.
“I got us a present,” Emma says as she whips open the fridge, revealing a few six packs.
“Can this night get any more perfect?”
Emma cocks an eyebrow my way.
“I guess we’ll see.”
I shove a few slices in my mouth to quench the hunger, but that beer sounds too good. I need a drink.
“You’ve even got a great taste in beer,” I say with a smile.
“Is there anything you can’t do?”