Page 148 of Criminally Yours

Millie breathed in Jenny’s lavender smell. “How does she always smell so good? She’s like a lavender princess.”

“I like the smell, too.” Stal sighed.

“There’s my best girl,” Liss shouted as she rushed over.

“Me or Jenny?” Millie teased.

“Well, you’re my best girl, but when Jenny coos at me, you’re pushed to number two,” Liss said as she made faces at a giggling Jenny while taking her in her arms.

“I love it when you two are together. You’re such trouble,” Millie replied.

“I can’t help myself. Cam asked for you, by the way. He’s outside playing with Jeff.”

“Sister trouble?”

Liss nodded. “Ava refuses to come home even though Beatrice is planning the coronation.”

“Your grandad’s abdicating?”

Liss shrugged. “He says it every six months. I expect it will still be a while yet. Anyway, Cam’s struggling with how stubborn Ava is. Females, eh? So much hard work,” Liss said, pointing at Jenny and winking at Stal, who grumbled at Liss’s attempt to wind him up.

Millie hugged Stal as he made her a promise to visit.

“Catch you later,” she replied, stepping toward the back door.

Bear accosted her. “How’s the bookshop?”

She leaned across the countertop. “It’s doing well. I work there a couple of days a week.” The Spicy Nook was attached to Merryn’s café, so Elsie supported her mum while growing her business. “And the rest of the week, I run counselling sessions, a mixture of remote and face-to-face.”

“What’s the long-term plan?”

“Not a clue. What’s yours?” she countered, and Bear grinned back. The men often tried to outsmart her, but Strike was the only one who stood a chance.

“I go wherever Liss tells me to, with a smile and a Whitney Houston song on my lips.”

“And baked goods in your pocket,” Millie added.

“Always. You’re winning the darts leagues, too?”

“Are you stalling me, Bear?” He shrugged, but he couldn’t meet her penetrating stare. “Where’s Strike? I thought he’d be here by now.”

“He’s chatting with our mate, Kalen, who recently left the Navy and is joining our bodyguard team part-time.” Bear opened the oven and pulled out cheese scones. The scent made her moan. “Try one of these.”

Millie pulled one of the scones apart to cool it. “The cheese scones are a major diversion tactic.”

“It’s just scones, Millie. Chill out.”

Liss ran in. “Has it happened yet—oh, hey, Millie, you’re still here. Where’s Cam?”

Millie shoved her hands on her hips. “Has what happened yet?” Strike had messaged her, begging her to wear his favourite dress of hers, the red one from their bookshop date.

“Princess, stop meddling,” Bear said to Liss. “Eat this scone and shush.”

“You’re meddling, too,” she replied. They kissed like they were the only ones in the room.

“Hmmm, my favourite pair of jeans. You know if you wear those in front of me, showing off your spankable ass, I have to throw you over my shoulder.”

“Excuse me,” Millie said, holding up her hand. “Can you guys not?”