“You look like you’re going to bible camp,” Mel says.

I catch Mel’s reflection in the mirror and glare. “It’s not that bad. Seriously. A sweater is sensible.”

“Do you hear yourself? Girl.” She shakes her head. “You are one bad outfit away from becoming the crazy cat lady. Well, if you weren’t banging the bartender anyway.”

It’s true. There has been a lot of that going on. Two weeks’ worth and it’s been the best two weeks of my life. “It sounds so crass when you say it like that. And I like my outfit. It’s something that my parents won’t ridicule.”

She quirks a brow. “The Puritans on the Mayflower showed more skin than you. In fact, you’d probably make all those men drool with your ankle coverage.”

Fine. Okay, so I’m covered up. Last time I checked, this wasn’t a crime.

I stare in the mirror, appraising my outfit. I tend to dress in accordance to my moods. Yesterday, when I was with Reid, I was in a pastel pink tank top and white capris. Today, I’m covered head to toe in black. Like I’m going to my own funeral.

Although I still have two more months, I’ve managed to keep my job and hold up my end of the bargain. If I’m let go before then, it’s back to my parents’ firm.

Obviously, it’s a stellar day.

Although, there’s a tinge of relief in the fact that Reid agreed to accompany me tonight for the routine interrogations—analyze and find Callie lacking—and have dinner in a pretentious restaurant as per tradition with my parents. Woohoo. Super fun times planned for this evening.

In the back of my mind, I consider what Reid’s giving up to accompany me today. Thursday. Bingo with all the ladies, filled with ass pinching and baked goods to ply him with. I’ve gone with him the past couple of weeks and have gotten to know his grandma pretty well. I’d much rather be sitting next to her staring at a bingo card than what I’m about to do.

“Ugh. You are so smitten; it makes me all happy and shit.”

“Shut up. Am not.” Okay, I totally am. Things have been going so well with us. Sure, there’s still the back-and-forth banter, but it’s no longer vicious. We’ve gotten into a good groove at work. And…we make a great team.

“So are. And it’s a good thing. I like seeing you happy,” Mel says.

“Thanks.”

“Of course, I bet you’d feel even happier in a cuter outfit,” she hedges.

I choose to ignore her and smooth a hand down my simple ankle-length dress. It’s a deep shade of midnight black with wide shoulder straps exposing much of my neck and leaving my arms bare. The fabric fits my upper torso, cinching at the waist before draping down to cover my legs. It’s something my parents would approve of, which is why I purchased it in the first place.

It also happens to be the only dress they approve of, so I wear it every time they visit me and insist on having dinner out. This also means my mother will comment on the fact that she’s seen me in this dress every time they visit. Like clockwork.

“Well, if you’re all set, I’ll head out.”

I flash Mel a grateful look. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” She winks and leaves, the sound of my apartment door softly closing behind her. I head to the bathroom to check my hair and touch up my makeup. Reid should be here any minute.

When the doorbell sounds a few minutes later, I place a hand on my stomach, which churns nervously. My quick, sure strides down the hall to my door are punctuated by the sharp staccato click of my heels.

Those are my one concession tonight. Hot, fuck-me shoes. I need to wear something that makes me still feel like I’m me and not a robot catering to my parents.

When I pull open the door, I suck in a quick breath. I knew Reid would clean up well, but he’s devastatingly handsome. “Wow.”

Reid’s expression grows wary. “Is that a good wow or a bad one?”

“Good.” I swallow hard as my gaze traces down his body. “Very good.”

He chuckles, and his blue eyes drift over me, and his features soften a fraction. “Interesting choice of dress.” His gaze draws to a stop at my shoes, and he whistles between his teeth. “Nice shoes, Rainbow.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Suddenly, I’m nervous to introduce him to my parents. Nervous of what they might say to him. They’re never nice—not even to Mel, and I’ve been best friends with her since I was a kid.

“I don’t know what the big deal is. I’m sure your parents will be just fine.”

He removes his suit jacket, and the deep-gray button-down dress shirt molds to his muscled torso. My fingers itch to grab his strong biceps. The black fabric of his slacks encase his powerful thighs and end at the top of his dress shoes.

“I am going to have such a hard time concentrating tonight,” I breathe out as I take in the sight of him from head to toe once again. I can’t quite believe this.

“Do I pass muster?”

I jerk my eyes up and feel myself softening at the tinge of vulnerability in his expression. Something I haven’t really seen from him before. I wonder if he’s just as nervous as I am.

“Always.” A long exhale spills past my lips, and I lean my head against his chest, reveling in the warmth of his skin cutting through the fabric of his shirt. “Look, tonight’s already guaranteed to be the mental and emotional equivalent of American Ninja Warrior for me. Don’t be shocked if I get a little weird.”

“You’re always a little weird.”

I smack him on his chest, but a smile breaks past my lips. Reid steps forward, crowding me into my apartment, then uses his foot to press the door closed. I tip my head to stare up at him, his expression intense. “I’m here, Rainbow. We’ve got this.”

Our gazes hold, as though neither of us can bear to look away. I never thought I’d have this type of connection with Reid, of all people, but here we are. And I wouldn’t want to go to dinner with anyone else tonight.

“There’s going to be much suffering. There might even be bloodshed. I’ll understand if you want to bail.” My tone is hushed amidst the silence of my apartment. I’m not certain if my mind’s playing tricks on me or if Reid’s head is actually descending, moving closer.

“Absolutely not.” His hot, minty breath washes against my lips. He reaches up to run the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip. Drawing back slightly to inspect his thumb, he locks his eyes with mine, blazing with barely banked lust. “Your lipstick didn’t come off.”

I’m suddenly breathless. “It’s long-wearing. Waterproof.”

“Yeah? I don’t remember you wearing this stuff before.” His gaze flickers down to my lips before returning to my eyes. “Have you tested this out?”

No! Stop! Abort! An inner voice screams because my parents will be here any second. And once Reid and I start, there’s no stopping.

Instead, I launch myself at him. Using my bodyweight, I push him back against the wall and fit my mouth to his.

Reid immediately snakes an arm around my waist and tugs me between his legs. His lips move over mine feverishly, as if starved for the taste of me. I reach up, gripping his tie as I steer him closer. His tongue sweeps inside, and a moan is ripped from my throat the instant it touches mine. One of his hands cups the back of my head to tilt my head, deepening the kiss and ravaging my mouth. I reach down to cup him through his pants, reveling in his response and the way he rocks his hips to push into my hand and—

The sound of the doorbell jars us, and we break apart.

Shit. My parents are here.

With labored breathing, I stare up at Reid, stunned at what just happened. His expression mirrors my own, and I wish like hell there was a cure for my ailment.

The doorbell rings again, and I hurriedly run a hand through my hair, which I’ve left down in loose waves. Reid straightens and steps away from the wall. He focuses on smoothing the fabric of his tie, which is now slightly wrinkled because of me, and I realize he’s avoiding looking at me.

I whimper softly. Apparently, it wasn’t softly enough because Reid’s head snaps up. I avert my eyes. “Ready?” I say quietly.

“Ready.” His hushed response is hoarse as though arousal still lingers within him.