Page 154 of Ozzie

We’ve been asking Durango for months if they are dating yet, and he always dodges the question.

“I’m not labeling it. We’ll see how it goes.” He grabs his jacket from the hook on the back of the door.

“How is she enjoying living in Queens?” I ask.

He puts on his jacket. “She loves it. Me, not so much. I liked it when she was closer. I hate to rush out on you, but she’s expecting me.” He opens the door.

“No worries. Good luck this weekend,” I tell him. “I hope it all works out.”

“Me too. I’d offer to help move, but Piper doesn’t have too many things.”

“It’s fine. We’ve got it,” I say.

“Catch you later,” he says as he walks down the hall.

We watch him leave, and then she turns to me, smiling. “That went better than I expected.”

“It did.”

Moose walks out of the kitchen. “Piper’s moving?”

“Yes, I’m moving in with Ozzie.”

Moose frowns. “I heard you had an extra bedroom because your old roommate moved out.”

I take Piper’s hand in mine. “It’s not a roommate situation.”

His eyes widen as he takes us in. “You’re a couple?”

We don’t act like a couple at work, and Moose is still new enough that he hasn’t figured everyone out yet. Plus,the guy has been on back-to-back assignments since his first few weeks in the office. I’m not surprised he hasn’t figured it out.

“But Durango said she’s off limits.”

I laugh. “He said that because of me. But he’s come around.”

Moose smiles. “Well, congratulations, you two. Living together is a big step.”

“It is,” Piper says. “What about you, Moose? Are you seeing anyone special?”

He laughs. “No. I really don’t have time for it. Reed has promised to keep me very busy for the next year.”

Ah, yes, I remember my first year. Reed and Hawthorne believe it’s best to keep the new guys as busy as possible. They claim we need it after leaving the regular training we get in the service. After your first year, the life-to-work ratio becomes more balanced.

“The first year is busy. But it gets better,” I say.

He shrugs. “It’s fine. I’m happy to be busy.”

Axel exits his office carrying a coffee mug. “What’s this? Team meeting in the hallway?”

“I was just congratulating them. Piper is moving into Ozzie’s.”

Axel smiles. “Does Durango know?”

“He does, and he’s fine with it,” Piper says.

Axel whistles. “He has really changed this last year. I’ve actually caught him smiling a few times. But don’t tell him that.”

We laugh. Durango is my best friend, but he could use a little loosening up. Hopefully, whatever is going on withWillow is good for him. I’ll admit, deep down, I’m a little afraid she might hurt him again.

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