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“No, no. It’s not that,” he backpedaled swiftly. “We’re just anxious to have you back in the office. I’m eager to have you back. I didn’t realize how much the department relied on you before now. We’re lucky to have you.”

Somewhat mollified, I gentled my tone. “It should only be for a few more days.”

“We’ll count on it. I want to talk more about your role in the department when you return.”

Still mulling over the conversation with Mark and the possible meanings behind his parting remark, I drove to our assigned hotel. The court put us in a clean yet basic local chain hotel without any frills other than a restaurant/bar. Shelly met me in the lobby, a hot pink roller bag in tow.

“Hey, Andi. We’re meeting in the restaurant for dinner after we get settled. Then I’ve got us booked for karaoke in the bar.”

She seemed so thrilled with the pronouncement. I didn’t have the heart to tell her karaoke wasn’t my thing. I gathered my key from the front desk before taking the elevator to the fourth floor and my room. I slid my key into the reader as the door next to mine popped open.

“Andi?”

I gulped, letting his rough and tumble voice riffle my nerve endings.

“Hey, Ty.”

He stood in the door to the room next to mine, his polo and slacks from earlier slightly rumpled from our day in court and the shadow of stubble darkening his jawline. Everything I wanted after a long day. I could easily imagine cuddling on the couch, watching TV and talking about our work. Longing washed through me as I took in Ty’s broad shoulders. Snuggling up against him sounded like heaven.

Except we couldn’t. Stupid jury rules.

I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze and letting my fantasies of a relaxing evening together disintegrate.

“Are you coming to dinner?” he asked, tilting his head to the elevator.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yes, Shelly’s talking about karaoke after, but I’m not sure I’m that brave.”

He snorted. “You? Not brave? That doesn’t sound like you.”

“I’m truly terrible. You have no idea what kind of torture you’re asking for.”

His lips tilted in a smile. “Even if that’s true, I bet you give it all you’ve got, and that’s something I want to see.”

“Yeah, what about you, Hot Stuff? Are you going to be giving us the solo vocal stylings of Ty Sheldon?”

He shifted his weight in the door, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m more of a back-up vocalist. I like to blend into the background.”

I chuckled. “Ty, you couldn’t blend if you tried. Tell you what, I’ll sing solo tonight—if you will. Winner gets the drink of their choice from the bar.”

His grin was a thing of beauty, taking over his whole face, causing his eyes to crinkle.

“Challenge accepted. I’ll see you down there?”

I nodded, moving inside my room and quickly hanging my clothes. The hotel room had a single king-size bed and a small desk, nothing fancy but still functional. After freshening my makeup, I took the elevator back to the lobby and joined the other jurors at a collection of tables pushed together in the restaurant to accommodate us.

Ty glanced up from his menu, gesturing to the seat beside him. “I saved you a spot.”

“Thanks,” I said as I slipped into the chair. “Anything look good tonight?”

His onceover had me tingling from my head to my toes, pressing my thighs together. Here we were, surrounded by ten of our fellow jurors, and I couldn’t suppress the fire blooming inside as if it were only the two of us.

I took a quick sip of the ice water in front of me, trying to cool my overheated system.

“You could say that. Are you hungry?”

With his gaze still focused on my lips, I had a feeling he was talking about more than food.

“Famished,” I admitted.