“Will, I’m afraid this confirms my initial diagnosis,” the doctor said. He was looking over the charts and notes from my physical therapist. A month ago, the doctor made the unpleasant discovery that a nerve in my hand had been damaged in the accident. It was a small enough issue that it didn’t interfere with regular daily activities, but a trip to the shooting range and a physical therapist confirmed that I wouldn’t be able to properly fire a gun again—which meant I couldn’t keep my badge.

“I was sure it would. The therapy didn’t help much.”

Paige was sitting by my side in the doctor’s sterile office. He prescribed more physical therapy, but made it clear that a 100 percent recovery wasn’t possible.

When Paige and I exited the clinic, we strolled through the small green space surrounding it. 

We came across a bench, and I sat on it, pulling Paige straight into my lap. She let out a small sound of surprise before lacing one arm around my neck. She rested the other on my chest. Correction. Felt up my chest.

“What are you doing?” I inquired.

“You’re pulling me in your lap to feel up my ass. I’m taking advantage and touching your chest. I’d say it’s a fair deal.” She grinned. I knew what she was doing: cheering me up. It was working.

“I’m going to talk to everyone at the station today and confirm that I’m leaving.”

My superiors had explained my options, but if I had to face such a big change, I wanted to do it on my own terms.

“Hmmm... I’m only detecting a small frown.” She traced a line on my forehead. “This requires neither an ambush nor an intervention.”

“What?”

“Your sisters asked me to report.” She spoke nonchalantly, even as she squirmed in my lap. “But there’s nothing to report. Tell the truth. Are you okay, or is this blasé reaction because I’m distracting you with all this squirming?”

“A mix of both.” I gave in to her game. “Mostly, I’m just looking forward to having you to myself all day long, every day.”

She stopped fidgeting. “William Connor, just because we’re going to be partners does not mean you can just do this whenever you want.” I’d slipped one of my hands under her skirt, touching her midthigh.

“Yeah it does. It absolutely fucking does.”

When we first discovered the problem with that nerve, I’d known I wouldn’t continue on the LAPD. Not being able to carry a gun limited my options considerably. I hadn’t taken it as hard as I’d expected, probably because I’d already decided on a change in careers, and because I’d already been looking forward to building something with Paige. Now I could dedicate more of my time to this.

We were going to grow the foundation, and I also planned to work on expanding the rental network. She was going to be my partner in all things. It made perfect sense. Our skills complemented each other’s.

We’d discussed what the additional centers could be about. Between the two of us, we had plenty of ideas, and seeing Paige light up at all the prospects had been one of the proudest moments in my life. It humbled me to know I could make her so happy.

Giving up my badge was still something I had to get used to, but instead of mourning the end of my career on the force, I was excited for what our future together would bring. I was smiling, and then I took her by surprise, kissing her bottom lip, then biting it lightly. Paige giggled, and I let go just as she burst out in a full belly laugh, then covered her mouth.

“You don’t care much about a citation for indecent behavior, huh?” she whispered.

“Not particularly, no. I love you, Paige.”

“I love you too. And I promise this will all work out.”

“I’m sure it will. I have a great feeling about what we’re going to build together.” 

My happiness had been deeply entwined with my cases since I’d joined the force, but Paige had severed that tie. In fact, my happiness was now deeply entwined with the sassy brunette who might or might not be purposely squirming in my lap.

***

“I can’t believe this doesn’t even require an ambush,” Hailey said wistfully at the next Friday dinner. Next to her, Val sighed.

“Yeah, I’d been bracing for a full-on intervention when Lori arrived.”

The three of us were on Val’s porch, waiting for dinner to be ready. Jace and Paige had offered to prepare dinner. I was keeping my fingers crossed, and the food-ordering app on hand. I should have known that the only reason Val would give up the reins of her kitchen was because she thought an intervention was required. Also because we were having another dinner on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas.

“Sorry, girls, no ambush needed,” I teased them, though I secretly enjoyed that they were doting on me.  

“So... we know you made a business proposal to Paige, but are you planning to make any other kind of proposal?” Val asked, her tone casual. She feigned studying her fingernails, but she was stealing glances at me.

“Are you trying to fish out of me if I’m planning to ask her to marry me?”

Val nodded. “Yes, I am. Actually, I’m sure you do. The question is when. And how? Do you need tips?”

“You could have been more subtle about it,” Hailey critiqued.

“Or... you could have asked me when Hailey wasn’t around,” I supplied. Annoying my little sister was one of the simple pleasures in life. Why deny myself? 

Hailey made a choking sound, and in that moment, she looked more like her younger, bratty self than the polished PR-pro.

“You too? How long am I going to have to pay for past mistakes? I work with celebrities now. I’ve learned to keep secrets.”

Val and I carefully avoided looking at each other.

I schooled my tone to appear apologetic. “Hailey, I love you, but you’ve busted more surprise parties and gifts than I can count. Whatever secret-keeping abilities you’ve developed, I’m sure they come in handy at work, but when it comes to family stuff....”

Hailey groaned. “Damn it. I can’t even bribe you with anything. Any celebrity you’d like to meet?”

I cocked a brow. Then she held up a finger, as if struck by a sudden idea. “What if I promise not to hire a stripper for Paige’s bachelorette party if you tell me now? Keep quiet at your own risk.”

“You’re not bringing her a stripper,” I said through gritted teeth.

“That’s not for you to decide, is it? Oh, brother, when are you going to learn that you can’t outmatch me?” She wore a shit-eating grin now. I turned to Val, looking for support, but our oldest sister was too busy being impressed by Hailey’s blackmailing skills.

“Hats off to you,” Val said.

“I’m going to call your bluff,” I said as we entered the house. She smirked at my confidence, but I had means of stopping any ill-advised plans. Game on, little sis. Game on. 

“Where are Pippa and Eric?” Val asked once we were inside.

Our cousin Pippa and her husband, Eric, were also here. Her stepdaughter Julie was studying at UCLA, and they had come to take her home for Christmas. 

“I’m here,” Pippa called, coming in from the direction of the kitchen. “Eric and I wanted to give Jace and Paige a hand.”

Well, now I was more confident about our dinner.

“How is Julie?” Val asked.

“Happy. Enjoying college, and dating... which is why she isn’t here tonight. Had a goodbye date before Christmas break, much to Eric’s chagrin.” Pippa smiled saucily.

“Not used to Julie being all grown up?” I asked.

“Not at all. But at least Mia and Elena still have a few years of childhood left. He’s a great husband and father, but stresses too much over the girls. In a perfect world, he’d like to veto anyone who asks Julie out.”

Julie was Eric’s daughter from his first marriage. He’d had her when he was very young, hence the large age difference between Julie and her younger sisters.

“Hey, if any boyfriend needs vetoing or being scared away, our brothers can be of excellent use. Right, Will?” Val asked.

I grinned. “Absolutely. At your service, cousin. I can be extra smooth, or extra scary. Depends on what the situation requires.”

“Oh, I’ll keep that in mind. I’m always in favor of smooth, though I think my dear husband might prefer scary.”

“I can always team up with Jace. He can play the smooth part, and I can do my part if scary is required,” I offered.

“That sounds very promising. And speaking of Jace... is it my impression or is he....” She narrowed her eyes, as if searching for the right word.

“Afraid of you?” I filled in the blanks.

“Yes, yes he is,” Val declared.

Pippa put her hands together, tapping her fingers against each other. “Well, well, my last matchmaking attempt was too successful, huh?”

“Sort of. They hit it off, but since she wasn’t from here, nothing came of it,” Val said.

“You want some insider knowledge?” Hailey asked.

I shook my head. “This is exactly what I mean about secrets, little sis.”

Hailey ignored me. Pippa whistled appreciatively. “And Jace won’t hand you your asses?”

“We’ll take our chances. We can go toe to toe with him,” Hailey said on a laugh.  

“I will bow out of this conversation,” I informed them. “Or I’d have to report to my brother that you’re... conspiring.”

“It’s for his own good,” Val said with a wink. 

––––––––

Later that night, once we were in bed, I asked Paige, “So what was that about girl talk after dinner?” The girls had all huddled on the couch, and when I or any other guy tried to approach, they informed us it was girl talk time.

“Because girl talk are the magic words for getting manly ears out of the way.” Paige was lying with her head on my chest, tracing a pattern on my stomach.

“Duly noted. What did you talk about?” I wouldn’t put it past Hailey to already have dropped a hint.

“Brainstorming potential dating pools for Val to increase her chances of getting laid.”

I blinked, then blinked again. They went from planning Jace’s demise to this? How did they even work so fast?

“Right... I’m better off not knowing the outcome of the conversation.”

She smiled sheepishly. “That came out wrong. The best way for her to meet a decent guy. Getting laid is part of the package.”

“No further details required,” I insisted.

“Okay. Just keep your eyes open for a smart and very sexy guy. Strong arms are important. Six-pack always a plus. Great skills in bed are also a requirement, but obviously, there’s no way to check that beforehand.”

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.” I made a mental note never to ask about girl talk again.

“Why? You could help brainstorming. It’s not so easy to meet people once you’re settled into working life. Not everyone has my luck. And Val deserves to be happy.”

“Of course she does.” When we were growing up, she put her life on hold for us for a while, and then she’d thrown herself into building her cosmetics company.

“Tell the truth. Did you ever scare the shit out of a man she introduced to you?”

“No. Just asked what their intentions were and called them out on it if they seemed to just want to jerk around.”

Paige chuckled. “Doesn’t surprise me. Well, what are all these muscles for, if not for flexing when you sense foul play? We’ll make a great team. So many advantages to working together.” 

“And speaking of working together, I want you to keep the weekend after the official opening of the center free.”

She lifted her head, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. “Okay. I didn’t have anything planned, but why?”

“I want you all to myself.” I shifted us on the bed and kissed her neck, just under her earlobe.

“That sounds promising.” She was almost breathless.

“I want us to celebrate this beautiful life we have. And maybe not share you with the world for another week.”

“That’s an outrageous thought.”

“I promise it’ll be worth it.” I traced her collarbone with the tip of my tongue. She arched her back, then rolled her hips into me. One lifetime with this woman wasn’t going to be enough. But I was going to make every single minute count.

“Sold.”