Page 59 of Bennett

Laurel caught the bag mid-air. “You’re my favorite person today.”

“Tell that to the inspector I yelled at yesterday.” Brandi winked before she slid her bag off her shoulder and spread a few revised sketches and paint swatches across the island.

Laurel leaned over them, grateful for something to focus on besides the adrenaline still pinging through her veins. The ESI guys had arrived just before Brandi, and Carter and Tyler were seated at the dining table, reviewing blueprints on a tablet and discussing wiring adjustments, while Matthew crouched by the hallway with a notepad, jotting down notes about tomorrow’s reinforcements.

Bennett, of course, stood near the window, currently un-boarded for CSI, arms folded as he kept watch with that same steady intensity that made it hard to breathe if she looked too long. He wasn’t hovering, wasn’t even watching her, but she still felt him there—solid, quiet, a wall between her and whatever came next. It shouldn’t have been comforting, but it was.

Brandi’s finger tapped a section of the sketch. “I think we can speed up the trim work here without losing quality, especially if the crews rotate morning and evening shifts.”

Laurel nodded, then glanced toward Carter. “That going to cause any issues with the security install?”

“Not if you don’t mind us playing Tetris with extension cords and guys hauling sheetrock,” he said with a grin.

“Sounds fun.” Laurel smiled faintly, then forced herself to focus. But even as she discussed paint colors and walk-through timelines with Brandi, she was acutely aware of Bennett’s steady presence in the room, like a heartbeat she could sense without needing to hear it.

An hour later, Laurel leaned over the kitchen island, her fingers brushing the edges of a swatch book as Brandi rolled up the final set of design sketches. The light hum of activity buzzed through the apartment, with measured voices, the thud of footsteps, and the faint sound of furniture being maneuvered up the back stairwell.

“My crew just arrived with the rest of the furnishings,” Brandi said, sliding her materials back into her oversized leather bag. Her hazel-green eyes flicked toward the door, then back to Laurel. “We’ll get everything set up before dark, but I’ll leave you alone once we’re done. Promise.”

Laurel smiled. “You’re not a bother.”

Brandi returned the smile, then rested a warm hand on Laurel’s shoulder. “You sure you’re okay?”

The quiet concern in her voice paired with that steady, grounding touch made Laurel’s chest ache in a good way. “Yes.” She nodded. “Absolutely.”

Across the room, Carter and Tyler were unpacking motion sensors and debating the best angles for coverage while Matthew leaned against the doorframe with his phone, half-focused on whatever Gabe’s team was doing. Bennett stood a few feet away,watching the new couch being carried in with narrowed eyes, as if daring someone to scratch the hardwood floor. Laurel didn’t even try to pretend she wasn’t aware of him. His presence filled the apartment even when he didn’t speak.

He looked calm, unreadable as usual, but she’d seen the way his jaw had clenched earlier when she’d stood too close to the broken window. The way his hand had hovered near her back, steady and protective.

She tore her gaze away before he could catch her staring.

“I’ll circle back tomorrow to check on the upstairs units,” Brandi said, drawing her attention again. “And I’ll send you some updated layout options tonight.”

“Thanks again. Really,” Laurel said, meaning every word.

Brandi gave her a wink. “You’re welcome. And Bennett?” she called toward the corner.

He glanced up.

“Make sure she gets some sleep tonight. She’s no good to me if she’s a zombie tomorrow.”

His mouth quirked just slightly. “Understood.”

Brandi paused at the door, her expression shifting just slightly. “Laurel? You’re doing great. Don’t let the assholes win.”

Laurel’s face warmed, but Brandi was already out the door, calling for one of her crew members to mind the paint samples on the landing.

The worst of the chaos had finally ebbed, replaced with the comforting sound of conversation, the hum of a vacuum down the hall, and furniture being arranged around her. Bennett, Carter, and Tyler had helped themselves to mugs, and Matthew raided the small stash of creamers Laurel brought from the diner yesterday.

Carter leaned across the counter, eyeing her with a familiar gleam. “All right, Sinclair. What’s today’s weird fact? Give me something good. I need to impress my wife tonight.”

Always happy to spout facts, Laurel smirked. “Did you know there’s a species of jellyfish that’s biologically immortal?”

Tyler paused mid-sip. “Immortal jellyfish?”

“Yep.Turritopsis dohrnii. When it gets old or injured, it reverts back to its juvenile form. Basically, resets its life cycle indefinitely.”

“That’s cheating,” Matthew muttered. “I want that ability.”

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