Page 37 of A Quiet Man

Cody made a face. "Ugh, let's not talk about work! Tell me how Auden's doing."

"You can text him yourself. Don't put me off. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just—" Cody looked down at his over-full plate of cucumber sandwiches, scones, and vegetable frittata, as if he was no longer quite so extravagantly hungry. "It gets to me sometimes. Anyway, I don't want to let it spoil lunch."

"You know I'll help in any way I can, right?"

"Yeah, of course." Cody fiddled with his fork. "I guess I'm just still adjusting. Actually, do you know how to use the copier? I can't make it work for love or money."

Tomas chuckled. "Yeah, that's a common problem. I've always found it easier to ask Marsha. She's the master of the copier, and if you're polite, she doesn't mind helping. Detectives are more easily replaced than Marsha, and she likes it when people know that."

Cody perked up. "I could bribe her with coffee."

"Only the best coffee," warned Tomas. "Otherwise, don't bother." They smiled at each other and started eating in synch. It was a little weird to get along with another shifter so well. Entirely a different relationship from the one he had with his partner, but nice. Cody was easy to get along with, and it was a shame the precinct still hadn't quite adjusted to him.

It would probably take time. There were moments when Tomas thought they still weren't too sure about him, with his brown skin and ethnic name, his quiet ways, and the wolf he'd brought into their midst. He pushed those thoughts away, as he always did. No point looking for differences and antagonism; there were enough when you didn't.

"I think Justin is trying," Cody said thoughtfully.

"He certainly is," agreed Tomas.

Cody laughed and elbowed him lightly. "No, I meant he's trying to be welcoming and all that. But he really isn't fazed by anything, and I am."

Tomas wondered if he would quit, if the job had ended up being too difficult for him. A rush of regret passed through him at the thought. He would miss Cody if he left.

"If there's something I can do, or someone I can talk to for you—" Tomas shrugged. "I'm here."

Cody slanted an amused look at him. But he didn't say anything, and they let the conversation drift to easier topics.

Later, at home, Tomas found Auden curled up on his couch, looking deeply languid and comfortable and almost unbearably adorable in his knee socks, pajama pants with lemons on them, and one of Tomas's sweaters. It wasn't a sweater he particularly liked — too itchy — but it did funny and nice things to his insides, seeing it on Auden.

"Hey, stranger." Tomas dropped his coat over the back of a chair and smiled at Auden, who looked up at him, all soft hair and warm, thoughtful eyes in his smooth, unworried face. He looked so peaceful. It was nice he'd finally had a day off work, even if it was inconveniently when Tomas was working, and there'd been no real warning ahead of time. It was nice to see him rested rather than exhausted.

"Hey," Auden said, and gestured to the book he was holding on his lap. It was a particularly large one. "Did you really read this?"

"Hm?" Tomas glanced at the spine. "Oh, yeah, it's good." It had been almost a year, but he could recall most of the important points if Auden wanted to talk about it.

Auden's brows rose, and he looked impressed and unnerved in equal measures. "I can hardly get through two pages."

"Then why are you bothering with it on your day off?"

"I knew you were smart, but damn." Auden closed the book and straightened up, a frown briefly wrinkling his perfect brow. "You're so fucking smart. What are you doing with a guy like me?"

"What are you talking about? You're smart. My reading habits aren't important." Tomas realized he was getting worried as he walked over to Auden. He took the book off his boyfriend's lap and sat down beside him, putting an arm around him. Fortunately, Auden moved into the cuddle easily, like this was what he'd been waiting for all day.

He leaned against Tomas and sighed. "I'm being stupid, I guess."

Tomas spoke cautiously as he stroked Auden's soft hair smoother yet. "You know I like to read. I hope that isn't some kind of deal-breaker for you."

"No." Auden sighed again, soft and a little sad. "Sometimes I just forget how different we are. You're a brainy wiz, and a cop, and I'm an underemployed yet overworked waiter who barely graduated high school."

Tomas sighed and kissed the top of his head.I wish I could help you never feel insecure or less worthy in your life. "Well," he said cautiously, "I think you're amazing."

"I know." Auden sounded both thrilled and a little guilty as he wrapped his arms around Tomas and snuggled closer. "I hope that doesn't change."

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Tomas smiled as hewatched his boyfriend, dressed in a bright red, classy-looking coat, interacting with the kids. He was good with them, listening and patient as a small boy showed him a series of toy racecars.