Page 54 of Paws & Order

Soft and happy.

My chest tightens. The ghost is still a mystery. The investigation isn't over. But for the first time in weeks, I'm not thinking about either of those things. I'm thinking about her.

And how badly I want to kiss her again.

CHAPTER 13

LIZA

Iwake with the conviction that I'm still being observed.

Which turns out to be true.

Cassian is at the table.

Gomez is at the foot of my bed.

Both are watching me with an attentiveness that feels less like surveillance and more like coordinated caretaking.

Cassian is already dressed. He must've gotten up, showered, and made coffee while I lingered in the space between sleep and responsibility.

Sunlight pushes through the cloud cover for a rare appearance.

For once, the apartment smells like coffee instead of stress.

I don't start the day in a panic, which is suspicious all by itself.

Instead, I wander into the kitchen and make a rude joke about Cassian's ancient badge collection.

He's reading the police blotter on his phone, already halfway into work mode, but he looks up when I enter.

For a second, maybe two, something unguarded flashes across his face.

It makes me want to grab him and kiss him until neither of us remembers our own names.

Instead, I pour coffee and pretend to be normal.

I fail.

"You seeing anything juicy?" I ask.

He huffs.

"Depends on your definition. Someone tried to organize a cryptid parade at midnight. Five calls about raccoon shifters in a compost pile. Zadok's arguing with the HOA president online again."

"High crimes."

I nudge his shoulder.

His mouth twitches.

Then he sets down his mug.

"I need to stop by the station."

The words are casual.

The look isn't.