Page 33 of What Started In Deception

He nudged himself closer, shoulder to shoulder, breathing her in as he watched the movie that he hadn’t seen since he’d been a kid.

Two hours later, Lydia rolled to her side as Cyndi Lauper’s voice filled the park while the end credits rolled across the screen and people started to leave.

Ty rolled, meeting her gaze. “That’s a movie that will never get old.”

She smiled, trying to ignore the way the light and shadows accentuated his exceptional face. “Agreed.”

He sat up. “I imagine we should start packing up and get out of here.”

She shrugged, staying where she was, looking up at him. “I usually wait a few minutes and let some of the chaos wind down.”

“We can do that.”

She settled more comfortably on her pillow. “So, are we doing something together tomorrow?”

“I have to meet with my case agent at noon. We’re meeting halfway, so I’ll probably be gone for most of the day.”

“What’s a case agent?”

“He’s the guy who’s in charge of our leg of the investigation.”

“So, he’s your boss?”

He moved his hand from side to side. “Sort of, but not really. He manages and coordinates the operation and has final say over the case, but in the day-to-day, when I’m not undercover, we’re just colleagues.”

“Huh,” she said, reluctantly fascinated by the different facets of his job. “What do you guys talk about at your meetings?”

“I give him updates on where things are at with the investigation so he can keep the brass informed.”

“I take it the brass is your boss.”

“Bosses,” he said, nodding. “The directors and executive leadership. They’re everybody’s bosses. They’re the very top of the food chain.”

She nodded. “So, it sounds like no hanging out tomorrow, then.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

She continued to hold his gaze, trying to decide if she was more relieved or slightly disappointed. She and Ty had known each other for a mere few days, but he wasn’t the worst person she’d ever spent time with. “Okay.”

“We can get together on Monday, though.”

She shook her head. “I have to go to a curriculum building workshop. I want to get some of my continuing education hours out of the way while I’m still in my school year routine.”

“Is it all day?”

She nodded. “Pretty much. Until three thirty.”

“So come over to my place after. I’ll cook us dinner.”

She shook her head. “You don’t have to cook for me all the time.”

“I’m mostly an omelet guy in DC, so making different stuff doesn’t suck.”

“Why are you an omelet guy?”

“Because they’re fast, high in protein, and taste good whether it’s two in the morning or two in the afternoon. Dump some greens into a bowl, and you’ve got a decent meal.”

“I can see that.”