Page 14 of Sofa King Wanted

“You think I should make the other agents chocolate gift bags?”

“I bet they'd appreciate it. I saw you eyeing my Kisses.”

“I can't deny that.”

I peek over at him, and he winks at me. When I snap my head straight forward, Neil lets out a chuckle. I’m starting to think his goal is to make me blush.

“As you can see, I have the ability to walk most places,” I say, trying to steer the conversation back to professional. We make our way down the sidewalk, and then I warn him, “Brace yourself.”

“Why, is—” Neil’s question is cut off by the Moore triplets. They’ve drawn a hopscotch game with chalk in front of their parents' salon and barber shop.

It's actually pretty cool inside. Half of the shop is styled in pinks and golds for the salon, and the other side has browns and golds but with barbershop-style chairs. It's split right down the center, even at the front desk.

“Who are you?”

“Why do you have a suit on?”

“Why are you so tall?”

Each one asks a question at the same time.

“I asked about the tall thing too,” I tell them as I do the hopscotch. When I get through, I turn to Neil and point down. “You can't pass until you do it.”

“Those are the rules,” one of the girls tells him.

Neil grins at her before he does as he’s told.

“Who are you?” The girls return to their adorable interrogation, but I’m realizing I didn’t think this through. Damn it.

“This is Neil. We're dating. Met on the Internet,” I say before Neil can tell anyone he's an FBI agent.

It would be great if we didn’t freak anyone else out. Rhodes and Quinn should enjoy being newly married and not fret over a man who stalked Quinn and made her life hell. She's been through enough.

“The Internet?” One of the girls' eyes go wide, and another scrunches her nose, while the third appears intrigued.

“Yeah, but don't meet any boys on there,” I tell them and then motion to Neil. “He told me he's short, and look at him.”

“She's not wrong,” Neil agrees. “I did some trickery, but I got the girl.” He throws his arm over me, pulling me close.

“He’s too tall for you,” one of the girls says, and the other two nod.

“I think we fit.” Neil somehow manages to tug me in even closer while really playing this up.

“You girls have fun,” I tell them before guiding Neil farther down the sidewalk.

We get stopped four more times before we make it to Sofa King Cozy. I should have probably tried to stop people, but I was letting everyone charm him.

“You're really selling it that we're dating,” I laugh, but he gives me a cocky grin.

“Selling? More like I’m enjoying the perks.” He puts his arm over my shoulder, and I roll my eyes.

“I didn't know FBI agents had jokes.”

“We don't.”

He’s serious, and I'm starting to think maybe he hasn’t been joking this whole time.

Chapter Eight

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