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I divide the food onto the plates and hand Pierce his. He takes it to the table to start eating while I make us each a cup of coffee. That’s not something that needs to wait.

“What do you plan to do all day? I can’t remember the last time either of us took a day off.”

“Whatever she wants,” I say. “Maybe I can finally fix that squeaky cabinet in the bathroom.

“And replace that bulb in the garage.”

The garage is full of things we don’t use. And one of the bulbs has been out for… well, years at this point.

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea,” I say.

Pierce finishes his breakfast, gets his things that he needs for work, and I walk him to the door.

“Call me if you need anything,” he says as he pulls it open.

“I’ll be fine. You’re the one who will probably need help—dealing with Mendes.”

His raises his middle finger at me. I swat it away, then lean in to give him a kiss that lingers a little longer than it usually does.

We’re not always affectionate. It’s something that happens once in a while, and it’s fine. We do what we want, when we want. That’s what works for us.

“Have a good day at work, honey,” I say playfully.

He huffs a laugh.

“Have a good day off. I’ll talk to you later.”

I watch as he heads down the path and into his car.

Pierce waves before backing down the long driveway and turning on to the road. When I can no longer see him, I close and lock the door, turning to see Raewyn standing at the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh—”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare, I just—”

“It’s fine,” I say. “Really, it’s fine. I’m just surprised I didn’t hear you. Detective ears and all.” I point to one of them. It’s supposed to be a joke but she doesn’t laugh.

“You seemed pretty occupied,” she says, her cheeks turning a little pink.

She must have seen me kiss him. That’s fine. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, so I just smile at her.

“I made us breakfast,” I say, heading toward the kitchen. Her eyes follow me as I go. “If you’re hungry.”

She nods and meets me in there.

I pop the two plates into the microwave for thirty seconds, just to heat them up a little, then push the bread down. I’d only made Pierce’s toast before, because old toast isn’t the same.

“Do you want coffee?” I ask her.

She scrunches up her nose and shakes her head. “I don’t like coffee.”

I chuckle as I switch out the pod on the machine so I can make myself another.

“We have orange juice and cranberry juice.”

“Orange, please.”

I gesture to the table. She carefully pulls out the chair and sits, her hands fidgeting in her lap.