think we could get into the minds of some of the bastards we hunt down. She’s good. Really good. And we want to keep her happy so we don’t lose her to the Feds.”
“But? ‘Cause I know there’s a ‘but’ in there,” Chad replied.
“At least you’re not denying that the two of you are screwing.” Chad gave her the evil eye. “I guess all I’m trying to say is, keep your relationship under wraps.” Holly laughed. “Guess that’s what you’re doing. No, seriously, you know that Greenfield would have a shit fit if he knew that you and the doc were fooling around.”
“Believe me, I’m just as versed on Greenfield’s policy on fraternization as the rest of the force.” He paused. “Holly, I really like her. No one has ever made me feel this way.”
“That’s great. It really is. But before you go getting yourself in some kind of trouble with the boss, see if this thing lasts past the bump and grind stage. If it does, then you may want to let Greenfield know that you and Brooke are serious.”
Chad nodded. Holly could see by his expression that he was somewhere in between embarrassment and relief. “Um, Holly?”
“I know what you’re gonna say. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. However, if I were you, and I didn’t want anyone else knowing, I might think of taming down the after work drinks and staying real low key. If you don’t, it won’t be long before the cat is out of the bag. Let’s face it, you aren’t the best at keeping your emotions in check.”
They both knew this to be true about Chad. When he was taken with a woman, he had a hard time hiding it. Holly had figured out, or at least suspected, there had been something going on between Brooke and Chad for about two weeks now. Tonight, she had confirmed it.
Not only was she a bit fearful of losing Chad as a partner if Greenfield found out, but her instincts told her that Dr. Brooke Madison was a little more high maintenance than what Chad was used to. Holly had the distinct feeling that once Brooke had him wrapped around her finger, she could easily break Chad’s heart. Holly did not want to see that happen. Chad was the brother she never had; growing up with sisters, she’d really wanted a brother at times. All that female energy under one roof had not been easy, to say the least. Holly loved her sisters, but she was glad they were now all grown and living separately. They were actually much closer that way.
“Okay, Inspector Clouseau, now that you have me and my love life figured out, I have a few questions for you,” Chad said.
Holly set down her drink and put on her best I-don’t know-what-you-mean face. “What kind of questions?”
“I tried that innocent act on you a few minutes ago and you didn’t buy my line. What makes you think I’m buying yours? I’ve got a feeling about you too, Detective. I think there’s more to this man who’s the parent of a little girl in Chloe’s class. If I’m not mistaken, there’s something behind those eyes at the mere mention of this guy. Is there something I should know?”
Holly set down her drink. “There is nothing you should know. It’s exactly what I said it was. I have to pick up Chloe at a friend’s house.”
“Yes, you did. But you also said at the dad’s house, which means he’s divorced. I am a detective, remember?”
Holly shrugged her shoulders, not sure she wanted to get into this with him.
“Holly?”
“What?” she asked sheepishly.
“Who is he? Am I right? Are you interested in him?”
“Oh, fine. I opened the can of worms by giving you the third degree, so I guess trying to close it now isn’t possible. Yes, I am kind of interested in him. I guess. We had pizza with the kids one night, only because I had to pick up Chloe from him and it worked out that way. And then we did some volunteer work for the teacher and wound up having some wine afterwards. That’s it, nothing more to tell. He encouraged me to take a yoga class with
“But? ‘Cause I know there’s a ‘but’ in there,” Chad replied.
“At least you’re not denying that the two of you are screwing.” Chad gave her the evil eye. “I guess all I’m trying to say is, keep your relationship under wraps.” Holly laughed. “Guess that’s what you’re doing. No, seriously, you know that Greenfield would have a shit fit if he knew that you and the doc were fooling around.”
“Believe me, I’m just as versed on Greenfield’s policy on fraternization as the rest of the force.” He paused. “Holly, I really like her. No one has ever made me feel this way.”
“That’s great. It really is. But before you go getting yourself in some kind of trouble with the boss, see if this thing lasts past the bump and grind stage. If it does, then you may want to let Greenfield know that you and Brooke are serious.”
Chad nodded. Holly could see by his expression that he was somewhere in between embarrassment and relief. “Um, Holly?”
“I know what you’re gonna say. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. However, if I were you, and I didn’t want anyone else knowing, I might think of taming down the after work drinks and staying real low key. If you don’t, it won’t be long before the cat is out of the bag. Let’s face it, you aren’t the best at keeping your emotions in check.”
They both knew this to be true about Chad. When he was taken with a woman, he had a hard time hiding it. Holly had figured out, or at least suspected, there had been something going on between Brooke and Chad for about two weeks now. Tonight, she had confirmed it.
Not only was she a bit fearful of losing Chad as a partner if Greenfield found out, but her instincts told her that Dr. Brooke Madison was a little more high maintenance than what Chad was used to. Holly had the distinct feeling that once Brooke had him wrapped around her finger, she could easily break Chad’s heart. Holly did not want to see that happen. Chad was the brother she never had; growing up with sisters, she’d really wanted a brother at times. All that female energy under one roof had not been easy, to say the least. Holly loved her sisters, but she was glad they were now all grown and living separately. They were actually much closer that way.
“Okay, Inspector Clouseau, now that you have me and my love life figured out, I have a few questions for you,” Chad said.
Holly set down her drink and put on her best I-don’t know-what-you-mean face. “What kind of questions?”
“I tried that innocent act on you a few minutes ago and you didn’t buy my line. What makes you think I’m buying yours? I’ve got a feeling about you too, Detective. I think there’s more to this man who’s the parent of a little girl in Chloe’s class. If I’m not mistaken, there’s something behind those eyes at the mere mention of this guy. Is there something I should know?”
Holly set down her drink. “There is nothing you should know. It’s exactly what I said it was. I have to pick up Chloe at a friend’s house.”
“Yes, you did. But you also said at the dad’s house, which means he’s divorced. I am a detective, remember?”
Holly shrugged her shoulders, not sure she wanted to get into this with him.
“Holly?”
“What?” she asked sheepishly.
“Who is he? Am I right? Are you interested in him?”
“Oh, fine. I opened the can of worms by giving you the third degree, so I guess trying to close it now isn’t possible. Yes, I am kind of interested in him. I guess. We had pizza with the kids one night, only because I had to pick up Chloe from him and it worked out that way. And then we did some volunteer work for the teacher and wound up having some wine afterwards. That’s it, nothing more to tell. He encouraged me to take a yoga class with
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