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“Wow… No kidding?”

“None whatsoever.”

“I was only gone two weeks… In that time, you managed to solve a murder case and fall in love?”

“Don’t look so surprised. I’m the efficient type.”

“Yeah, but… You’re serious.”

“I am. Totally.”

Ellie appeared stunned and curious in equal measures, torn between hearing about the juicy murder case and her partner’s previously non-existent love life. The personal won.

“What’s her name?”

“Kim Reed. She’s a lawyer in town.”

“Huh. I don’t know that name, but I can’t wait to meet her.”

“You will.” Cody smiled, prompting Ellie to grin again as she scrutinized her face.

“You do look in love,” she decided.

“What do you mean?”

“Mushy.”

“Get out of here.”

“No, really, you do.” Ellie laughed. “I think it’s great. What a difference two weeks can make!”

“To be honest, the falling in love part only took about two minutes.”

And in the days that followed, Cody found all the rest of it equally as natural and easy. It occurred to her, with a touch of delighted wonder, that she had only slept in her own bed once in almost three weeks. And Kim was with her. The rest of the time, they usually spent at her apartment.

“It makes sense to use my place,” Kim declared easily. “It’s bigger and closer to the beach. We have a balcony, and the fully-equipped kitchen is handy since I like to cook. So.”

So…Sweetly, she insisted on feeding her, especially on the weekends when they could both be lazy. Cody started to notice every time she said‘We’.Every time, it made her heart swell and seemed to bind them a little closer. She left a toothbrush and wash kit, then her running gear and a change of clothes, at her lover’s place. Gradually, her emotional center of gravity shifted along with the more practical stuff. One Friday evening, over homemade pizza enjoyed on the balcony, Kim surprised her by sliding a little ring-size box across the table.

“For you,” she said.

chapter 22

“Hey, don’t pass out on me, Detective.” Kim teased her gently as Cody stared. “You’ve gone pale.”

“Um… It’s okay. I’m fine.”

“Yes, very fine. Now open the box.”

As Cody did, to find the set of keys she’d placed in there, Kim stood up and went around the table. From amused initially, she felt almost anxious all of a sudden. As Cody glanced up, she looked deeply into her eyes.

“Keys to your apartment?” her lover prompted when she remained silent.

“Yes. I thought you may as well be able to come and go as you like.”

“Oh, right. Well, thanks, I—”

“Wait.” Kim pursed her lips, irritated at her own self.There was nothing casual about the gesture. She did not want to make it appear as if it were a business transaction of little importance just because she was afraid of rejection. “Let me be clear. I’d like you to move in with me, Cody. Officially. I know it’s fast, but it feels right. If I read you wrong, and you’d rather not—”