Page 27 of Professional Consult

“Hey, hey, hey,” I cut in. “I am as much a victim as you are.”

Josh takes a step closer to Lexi, and again, I have to restrain myself.

“Well, it’s good to have you here. If you’d ever like to come out on patrol with me—”

I step between Josh and Lexi because I’m pretty damn sure I’m about to lose my mind.

“Back off, Casanova.”

Josh puts his hands up defensively. “Hey, I was just trying to be nice.”

I snicker because I know what Josh’s version of nice is. It’s two drinks in and already gunning for her panties.

“I’ll take over from here,” I insist.

“Sure thing, boss.”

Josh finishes up and leaves just as Barb comes in.

“It’s good to see you’ve served your sentence,” she says to Lexi with a wink.

“I hope you can forgive me for how I acted.” Lexi’s voice is sincere and apologetic.

“Chief Bastwick shot out an email last night explaining the situation. Had myself a good laugh.”

Lexi smiles. “Once the dust settled, I laughed too.”

Barb scowls, looking at Lexi with her nose twitched to the side. “Thought fancy Hollywood folk dressed better than that.”

“My clothes were left on the jet when your good chief took me in.” Lexi casts me a scathing glance.

“I have a few things you can borrow,” Barb offers.

“I doubt Lexi Dash wants to go around wearing a Grateful Dead tee-shirt.”

“Oh, yeah?” Lexi challenges. “Maybe that’s exactly what I’d like to wear.”

“Your years gracing the pages of trash magazines say otherwise.”

“I didn’t know you paid so much attention.”

My cheeks burn. Thankfully, Barb interrupts our banter.

“Who’s working patrol today, you or me?”

I should be on patrol, but that would mean I’d have to spend the day sitting right next to Lexi, which is definitely a bad idea with how my brain has been working.

“You take patrol and bring Lexi along with you.”

Lexi makes a startled sound.

“If it’s a slow day, take her to Goodwill,” I add.

“Alrighty, boss.”

CHAPTER8

LEXI