Page 1 of A Funny Thing Happened…

“Whoa,” Jake said. “I could feel that frown from the front door.”

I glanced up from the pages of the glossy fashion magazine Natalie had left on the front desk, and stopped scowling. “Hey. I didn’t hear you come in.”

As Jake reached me, I pulled my mask down, and we kissed hello. He smelled like the night, cold and sharp, with a hint of faded aftershave; a peculiarly seductive blend of Mandarin orange and leather. You’d think by now I’d be used to…well, all of it. But the pressure of his mouth was warm against mine, and our lips lingered…lingered… Turns out, love is sticky stuff.

We reluctantly parted—and Jake promptly, gently pulled my mask back up. He pulled his mask up.

I sighed. “You know, it’s after-hours. We’re alone now.”

He touched the tip of my masked nose. “Yep. It’s just you, me, and fifty billion germs.”

Clearly, he was forgetting about trigger-happy Natalie and her trusty can of linen-scented Lysol disinfectant.

The agreement we made was I’d continue to work at Cloak and Dagger through the pandemic, but pledged to be extra-diligent and super-vigilant about following all virus protocols. Which I complied with because A – I’m not an idiot, and B – making Jake happy is a priority for me.

I mean, it’s a mask. Try being on a fucking ventilator. Been there, done that, and will do everything in my power to avoid repeating the experience.

“Speaking of catching germs. How’d your day go?” I asked.

In September, Jake had landed a job with Brannigan Investigations. Brannigan’s is one of LA’s oldest PI firms. It’s where old money Angelenos go for help whenno onecan know the trouble they’ve gotten themselves into. A coup for Jake, sure, but it hadn’t been an easy transition. For one thing, it closed the door, once and for all, on his career in law enforcement. Which…that door was already closed, but this was like installing a deadbolt. But also, Jake liked the freedom of being his own boss. What hehadn’tliked was the unpredictability of the kinds of cases that came his way—whenthey came his way—or the precariousness of his finances. So he’d taken the job at Brannigan Investigations.

Fortunately, they seemed to really like him there, and he liked the owner, Mary Brannigan, the great-granddaughter of the original Brannigan. Jake liked having resources, and respect, and a steady paycheck.

“Good,” he said. “Even better, I’ve got the next four days off.”

“Fourdays?”

“Yep.”

“Wow. They gave you Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day,andwhatever Monday is?” That was more than cool because I too had Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day, and whatever Monday was. They reallydidlike him at work if they were giving him four days of primo holiday real estate.

I couldn’t quite read the look he was giving me. Jake said, “I’m thinking Monday is a travel day.”

My brows shot up. “Atravelday? Where are you going?”

“We can talk about it on the drive home. You ready to head out?”

Mysterious. But okay. It’s well established that I like mysteries.

I said briskly, “Just waiting for you. Let me grab my coat and cat.”

He made a sound of amusement, waiting as I rounded up Tompkins, hustled him into his carrier, and struggled into my coat.

Jake took the carrier from me. On our way out, he glanced at the stairs leading to my former flat. “Is Natalie out?”

What he really meant was,Is Larkin out? Larkin, my three-month-old nephew, was Natalie’s son. Jake adored Larkin, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. Granted, Larkin seemed to adore everyone. I’ve never been much of a fan of babies, but that kid was pretty cute and notentirelyobjectionable.

Not objectionable at all, really.

I said, “They’re spending the holiday weekend with Lisa and Bill.” Three and a half years ago, my mother married Councilman Bill Dauten, thus supplying me with three ready-made sisters, all accessories included. The latest accessory being the aforementioned Larkin.

Jake frowned. “Then who’s running the bookstore?” Jumping to the conclusion that I was backing out of our agreement, meaning my commitment to a new and healthier lifestyle. Last year’s Christmas present to him. And to myself, I guess.

I said patiently, “Which means, Angus and Bliss are covering tomorrow, and then we’re closed until next Wednesday.”

Bliss was my latest hire. She was…interesting, as girls—young women—with mermaid-colored hair so often are. I felt she was a woman of possibilities. One possibility being (though I denied it when Jake suggested such a thing) that I thought Bliss might provide a good distraction for Angus, who continued to be worryingly smitten with Natalie.

Jake relaxed. I held the door for him, patting his back as he carried Tompkins out.

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